Nanny Work Agreement / Contract:

Although a contract may seem to be a daunting legal document, writing one is pretty straightforward as long as you think through what to include. Make sure both you and the nanny sign and date the contract, and make copies for each of you. If you have minor changes (for example, instead of ending her day at 5 p.m., you agree to move it to 6 p.m.), make sure you both initial the amendments and each get a fresh copy.

You may want to include a clause that requires you and your nanny to revisit the contract on a certain date (a one-year anniversary works well). When that time comes, you or your nanny can amend the agreement as you see fit.

Of course, you'll have to redo the agreement sooner if you have any major changes in your household, such as a new baby. Better yet, anticipate as many possible changes as you can and explain in the original contract how you would handle them. For example, you could include a clause guaranteeing a pay increase (estimate a percentage increase) for each additional child.

How do I make the contract binding?
As with any employment agreement, a nanny contract is hard to enforce. But with one in place a smooth relationship is far more likely because you worked out so many details ahead of time.

Nanny/Family Work Agreement

Name(s) of employer(s): ________________________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________________________________________

Name of nanny:  _______________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________

Social Security Number: ______________________________

Number of children: _____

Names of children: ____________________________________________________________

Start date:________________________________

Place: ___________________________________

Compensation and Benefits:

Pay: $___________ per week/month/hour to be paid (every Friday, 15th and 30th of the month, etc.)

Taxes: (Explain how taxes will be handled) For example, "Employer will deduct all applicable taxes from the nanny's paycheck and make tax payments to the IRS"

Health insurance: Employer agrees to pay (all or put specific dollar amount) of the nanny's health insurance, provided by (add name of insurance company).

Paid vacation: _____week(s) per year. Nanny will give employer ____ weeks notice of any upcoming vacations.

Paid holidays: (List any that apply, for example, Christmas, Martin Luther King Day, Easter, etc.)

Room and board?: yes/no (If yes, list benefits, such as nanny's own telephone line [long-distance charges excepted], food stipend or groceries per week, appliances such as microwave, television, bed, etc.)

Extras: (Gym memberships, eye exam fee, dental cleanings, etc.)

Schedule:

Nanny will work ____ hours a week. Employer will pay $____/hour for any extra hours worked.

Nanny's work hours are between ____a.m./p.m. and ____a.m./p.m. from (list days)

Days off: list days___________________________

Sick days: ___days a year
Personal days: ___days a year.
Nanny will give employer _____ days notice for personal days taken, and will call by __ a.m. the first day of illness.

Duties:

(List the nanny's responsibilities. Be specific. For example, taking junior to playgroup or to the park every Wednesday at 3 p.m., doing the child's laundry every Friday, giving medications on time when necessary, feeding the baby with expressed breast milk every two hours, etc.)

Transportation:

Use of car to transport child: yes/no

Logistics: If yes, specify whose car (the nanny's or parent's) she'll drive, and who will pay the car insurance. If it's the nanny's car, state that you will provide a car seat to be used each time the child is in the car.

Parenting Philosophy:

Naptime method: (specify nap time each day; whether nanny can let baby cry it out, and for how long, how many times during the day a nanny should put baby down, etc.)

Discipline: (specify whether you want the nanny to discipline your child by using time-outs, etc.)

Television: yes/no If yes, how many hours a day? _____ hours

Meals: (List how many meals a day, what your child is allowed to eat, and what he isn't)

Hygiene: (List specific rules; for example, nanny must wash hands before and after diapering, etc.)

Safety: (Specify areas in your house and outside where your child is not allowed, and any other safety rules to be enforced)

Authorization to release child: (List anyone who is allowed to visit or pick up your child during the day, for example, grandparent, your older sister, etc.)

Emergencies:

If a medical emergency arises, the nanny should (list appropriate measures here). (Enclose a letter authorizing your nanny to take your child to the doctor or emergency room and seek medical care.)

Nanny must contact the parents immediately.
Mother's phone number: ____________________
Father's phone number: ____________________

Reviews, Raises, and Grievance Procedures:

The employer agrees to review the nanny every ____ months.

Cost-of-living raises will be given every (year/__ years/depending on review).

If nanny has a grievance, she can (list appropriate measure here).

Changes and Amendments:

In the event of the birth of another child, a nanny (list here if nanny and employer must discuss first if nanny wishes to continue employment , or if she will receive more money per week for the care of the new baby, and how much)

Contract can be changed or amended if both parties agree: yes/no

Notice of Termination:

The nanny must give __weeks'/months' notice of termination in writing.

The employer must give nanny ___weeks/months notice if her services will no longer be required.

Should the employer terminate the agreement, employer agrees to pay all wages up to and including nanny's last day of work. Yes/no

Signatures: