What is a part-time nanny — and do you need one?

Whether you’re looking for a new babysitter or nanny who is fluent in Spanish 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 you really need is a part-time nanny!

If you’re searching for an experienced, long-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. “Part-time nannies are essential for the family’s routine and functioning, as they offer consistency and reliability,” notes Alie Moya, founder of Brooklyn Manny and Nanny.

Here, Moya and other experts explain what a part-time nanny is, and share why changing your job posting from “weekday” or “after-school sitter” to “part-time nanny” may help you find the qualified candidates you want.

What is a part-time nanny?

Just like a full-time nanny, a part-time nanny may care for a newborn, baby, toddler, school-age child or multiple children of different ages. What makes a nanny part time, not surprisingly, is the number of hours they work. “Part-time nannies are caregivers who work a long-term position for 35 hours a week or less,” explains Lora Brawley, consultant and trainer at Nanny Care Hub. 

“The quality of care is the same as a full-time nanny,” notes Brawley. “The scope of child-related responsibilities is also the same, only scaled down to fit the number of hours the nanny is available.”

A part-time nanny may provide care  a few days a week to coincide with a parent’s work schedule or other scheduling needs. Moya adds that, in many cases, families hire their full-time nanny on a part-time basis once the kids start school.

A part-time nanny “should have the same qualifications that full-time nannies possess,” adds Becky Kavanagh, owner of Busy B Services and former co-president of the International Nanny Association. As an example, she notes that “a full-time nanny may be responsible for rotating clothes and toys on a regular basis; a part-time nanny may only have time to rotate toys.”

What’s the difference between a part-time nanny and a babysitter?

The main differences between a nanny and a babysitter who work part time are their schedules and duties.

“Part-time nannies have a set schedule with guaranteed hours, making them a key component of the family’s daily life,” notes Moya. “They are often employed year-round, unlike after-school or date-night sitters, whose schedules may fluctuate and typically work during the academic year.”

The role of a part-time nanny is also more involved. “The role of a sitter is to keep the kids safe and entertained and complete basic tasks while the role of a nanny is to care for the whole child,” says Brawley. “For example, a sitter might sit with and help a child complete their homework while a nanny might develop engaging activities based on the child’s interests and school curriculum to deepen their understanding of the subject.” 

In other words, you’re getting more enriching, high-touch care with a part-time nanny than you will with a babysitter. 

Is an after-school nanny the same as a part-time nanny?

Again, the main difference between an after-school nanny and a part-time nanny is the schedule. Whereas an after-school nanny traditionally works around a child’s  school day, part-time nannies can have a variety of schedules (such as two to three days a week or exclusively mornings).

Why do you need a part-time nanny?

According to Brawley, parents who need “consistent, quality care on a part-time basis” can benefit from hiring a part-time nanny. “This includes families with school-aged kids for after-school care, parents who work part time and parents who stay at home and want help caring for the kids,” she notes.

When Dana Clarke, a mom of three in Warren, New Jersey, had to return to her office five days a week after working remotely for years, she knew she wanted someone who was going to go above and beyond after school with the kids, not just hang with them.

“I wanted someone who had experience,” she says. “I wanted someone who could take my three kids to all of their after-school activities and sports, have them bathe, get dinner started and maybe tackle some laundry.” 

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 is 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 special 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, Brawley notes. There are a number of factors that influence price, including location, number of kids and experience. That being said, according to our 2025 Cost of Care, the average weekly rate for a full-time nanny caring for one infant child is $827, which comes out to $20.68  an hour. 

In order to get an idea of what part-time nannies in your area cost, use our Cost of Care Calculator. 

Do you need to pay taxes for a part-time nanny?

Many families wonder if they need to pay nanny taxes for a part-time caregiver . No matter how many hours a week your nanny works, as soon as they earn $2,800 or more throughout the calendar year, you’re required to withhold employment 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 Medicare and Social Security benefits later in life. If you need help making sense of taxes or setting up a payroll account, Care.com HomePay can offer more information.

Do part-time nannies get benefits?

Ultimately, giving your part-time nanny benefits is at your discretion, notes Riley Adams, a licensed CPA, financial advisor and founder and CEO of the Young and Invested. “However,” he adds, “in order to remain competitive with other potential household employers, offering benefits to a part-time nanny is a good recruiting and retention strategy. That’s especially true in places with a very tight labor market for nannies.”

Stephanie Fornaro, founder of Hello, Nanny!, agrees, saying: “Benefits are crucial to career sustainability,” Fornaro says. “They can include mileage reimbursement, a cell phone stipend, a healthcare stipend and paid time off.”

Do part-time nannies get paid vacation?

Again, this ultimately is up to you as the employer, but it’s no doubt a nice perk for prospective nannies. “Generally, offering some sort of accommodation for paid vacation is a good idea with advance coordination to ensure child care duties are covered,” notes Adams. “Where possible, having both the household employer and the part-time nanny take vacation at the same time is ideal.”

Do part-time nannies get paid holidays?

It’s typical for nannies to have federal holidays off, according to Fornaro. “The rule of thumb is if the schools are closed for a holiday, then nannies have it off, as well,” she explains. “If parents need coverage on certain holidays, it should be agreed upon up front and noted in the work agreement.”

Do part-time nannies get sick days?

Yes. Some states, such as New York, even require (unpaid) sick days for household employees. “Similar to vacation time, the sick days should be relative and accrued based on the part-time nature of the role,” notes Fornaro.

Also, keep in mind that a paid sick leave policy behooves everyone. “Household employers definitely want something in place to avoid having a sick nanny come into the house,” notes Adams. “Otherwise, it could lead to everyone’s detriment. Offering sick days is usually good etiquette, especially if the household employer’s family is responsible for getting the nanny sick.”

Do you need a nanny contract?

It’s “crucial” to have a contract when hiring a part-time nanny, Moya notes. “This legal document formalizes the employment relationship, outlines expectations and provides protection for all involved,” she says. “A contract ensures a clear understanding and fosters a positive and fair working relationship.”

Also, keep in mind, “most part-time nannies are in positions long term,” notes Brawley.

How to find a part-time nanny 

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. 
• Colleges and universities.
• Friends and word-of-mouth. 

Important to keep in mind: Wherever you find your nanny, be sure to take proper safety precautions, such as verifying credentials, checking references and conducting a thorough background check.

The bottom line on part-time nannies

Part-time nannies are a great option for parents who want to maintain personalized, quality care for the kids, even when they don’t need help full time. “Unlike babysitters, whose schedules will fluctuate, part-time nannies are often employed year-round,” Moya says, adding that the quality care they provide is unmatched.