Whether you’re looking for a new babysitter or nanny who is fluent in French or cooks like a top chef, every family has a list of “must-haves.” What many families don’t realize, however, is that they’re often posting a job description for an after-school sitter when what they need is a part-time nanny.
If you’re searching for an experienced, longer-term, hands-on caregiver who is fully invested in your child’s ongoing development and well-being, but you only need someone a few days a week or a few hours each day, a part-time nanny may be exactly what you need. Hiring a consistent and reliable part-time nanny can play an essential role in helping you maintain a functioning routine for your family.
Here, we explain what a part-time nanny is and share why changing your job posting from “weekday sitter” to “part-time nanny” may help you find the qualified candidates you want.
What is a part-time nanny?
In terms of the qualifications they should have, there’s no difference between part-time and full-time nannies. A part-time nanny may care for the children before and/or after school or a few days a week. Maybe the family only needs help while a parent works part-time or on days the kids are home from school.
What makes a nanny part-time, not surprisingly, is the number of hours they work: generally, 35 hours a week or less. Despite these reduced hours, the quality of care and scope of child-related responsibilities are the same that would be expected of a full-time nanny, only slightly reduced to accommodate fewer hours.
In many cases, families hire their full-time nanny on a part-time basis once the kids start school.
What’s the difference between a part-time nanny and a babysitter?
The main differences between a part-time nanny and a babysitter are the schedule and the duties.
Unlike babysitters, who may be hired for after-school care or occasions like date nights, part-time nannies have a fixed schedule, guaranteed hours and are typically employed year-round. This makes them a key fixture of the family’s day-to-day life.
The role of a part-time nanny is also more involved. While a sitter might be in charge of safety, entertainment and some basic household tasks, it’s a nanny’s job to care for and deeply engage with the child in a holistic way, such as creating engaging activities suited to the child’s interests and school curriculum, rather than merely helping them complete their homework.
Why do you need a part-time nanny?
If you’re a parent who needs quality care that’s consistent but doesn’t require someone to be around full-time, you can benefit from hiring a part-time nanny. A lot of families fit this bill, including parents in need of after-school care, those with part-time jobs and even parents who stay at home but need an extra set of hands to provide quality care.
Most often, part-time nannies help out during the tough after-school hours or even through dinner, bath and getting kids ready for bed. And, since the part-time nanny title entails a more qualified caregiver than an after-school sitter, you can expect more involved care: they may teach the children French, set up playdates and exciting excursions and do the family’s laundry. They’re there to go above and beyond.
What qualities should you look for in a part-time nanny?
You should approach the hiring process the same way you would for a full-time nanny. This caregiver will be spending a lot of quality time with your children, so it’s important that they have substantial child care experience and skills like CPR and first-aid training.
Other criteria to consider when hiring a nanny include:
- Aligned caregiving philosophies for an ideal partnership.
- A good personality match for the kids (and you).
- Specialized experience should your child have any particular needs.
What do you pay a part-time nanny?
A part-time nanny’s compensation is the same as a full-time nanny in terms of hourly rate. Several factors influence price, including location, number of kids and experience. That being said, based on national averages, the average weekly rate for a full-time nanny caring for one child is $1,000, which comes out to $25 an hour.
To get a better idea of what nannies in your area cost, check out our cost of care calculator.
Do you need to pay taxes for a part-time nanny?
Many families may also wonder if they need to pay nanny taxes for someone who isn’t full-time. No matter how many hours a week your nanny works, you’re usually required to withhold their CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) remittances, including employee CPP (Canada Pension plan), EI (Employment Insurance) and taxes.
A part-time nanny will likely become a part of your family, and it’s important to pay them legally so that they can receive CPP benefits later in life. If you need help making sense of taxes, the Canada Revenue Agency’s Payroll Deductions Online Calculator can offer more information.
Do you need a nanny contract?
It’s crucial to have a contract when hiring a part-time nanny. This is a legal document that formalizes the employment relationship between you and your nanny, sets out expectations in writing and provides protection for all the parties involved to ensure clear understanding and a fair and positive working relationship. After all, most part-time nannies are in their positions for the long term.
How to find a part-time nanny
You can look for a part-time nanny in many of the same places you can find a full-time nanny. Some of these places include:
- Online platforms, such as Care.com.
- Nanny agencies.
- Social media parenting groups.
- Universities and community colleges.
- Friends and word-of-mouth.
The bottom line
Part-time nannies are a great option for parents who want to maintain personalized, quality care for their kids, even when they don’t need help full-time. They are often employed year-round, unlike babysitters whose schedules can fluctuate, and the quality of care they provide is unmatched.
