What’s a Nanny Share?
Have you considered starting a nanny share? Starling Agency can provide guidance on how a nanny share operates and whether it’s the right choice for your family. Read on for more information!
What is a nanny share?
A nanny share involves two families with compatible parenting styles choosing to hire one nanny to provide consistent and personalized care for their children. Opting for a nanny share can be an excellent choice if you want your child to receive high-quality care while also sharing the overall cost of private childcare.
How does a nanny share work?
Typically, this arrangement works best for single-child families with similar schedules. The initial step in establishing a nanny share is to reach a consensus among the families and the nanny regarding logistics, financial arrangements, and duties. Often, families take turns hosting the nanny and children in their homes, alternating between weeks or days. However, you might decide that it’s more convenient for one family to host on a regular basis for the sake of continuity.
In a nanny share, each family is considered a separate employer, even if the care is provided in only one of the homes. As such, each family must obtain its own federal and state tax IDs. Each family tracks the nanny’s hours, wages, and taxes separately, pays the nanny separately for the hours worked for that family, and withholds and deposits taxes with the IRS and the state of Washington related to the wages the nanny earned from that family. At year-end, each family provides a W2 to the nanny.
How much does a nanny share cost?
Hiring a nanny in partnership with another family can help to allocate the costs of high-quality private childcare because the overall cost will be divided amongst the employers. One common misconception about nanny share rates is that the gross hourly rate will be aligned with average nanny rates. In fact, a nanny should be compensated above average rates for a nanny share arrangement due to the increased demand and skill required for the position. It’s important to consider additional costs associated with hosting and supplies. For example, if one family takes on more hosting responsibilities, they might contribute a larger share of the nanny’s cost.
Is a nanny share right for my family?
A nanny share is right for your family if you are seeking a close-knit support system. Not only will your child experience a high level of personal care and socialization, but the adults will also become a close network with a mutual goal. A nanny share works best for families that are clear communicators and highly organized. After all, you will regularly discuss and agree upon hosting arrangements, scheduling, and other details. A nanny share demands a high level of coordination and compromise, making it well suited for families comfortable working in a small collaborative team.
How do I hire the right nanny for a nanny share?
Choosing the right nanny is a critical factor for the success of a nanny share. If you decide that a nanny share aligns with your childcare needs and you have another family interested in joining forces, don’t hesitate to reach out to Starling Agency today. Starling can assist with nanny share placement and individualized nanny share consultations.
In Conclusion
When developed with care, a nanny share is a mutually beneficial arrangement for everyone involved. Starling offers a variety of options to help you create a successful share, including nanny placement services, nanny share development, and individualized consultation services. Contact Starling if you have any questions!
More from Starling…
- Benefits of Working with a Pro Nanny Agency
- What’s a Household Manager?
- What’s a Family Assistant?
- Celebrate National Nanny Recognition Week!
- Virtual Nanny Interview Tips
Starling is a stellar nanny placement agency proudly serving Greater Seattle and the Eastside. Starling nannies are passionate about education and child development! We represent professional nannies, private teachers, newborn care specialists, household managers, family assistants, personal assistants, and more. Learn more about Starling’s core values.