Nanny Share: How Does It Work?

A nanny share is an arrangement wherein two families share the services of the nanny, including the cost. This setup came into popularity when the number of families with two working parents increased, driving the demand for other options of stay-at-home child care.

If you and a friend are considering a nanny share, you should be able to offer your prospective nanny something better than a single-family nanny work. This could mean giving her better pay or allowing her to work with only a few children, for instance, just two children per family.

A nanny share is ideal if you and your friend have opposite schedules, for instance, if you have a regular daytime job and your friend works night shifts. This way the nanny can easily attend to your children one at a time. Another ideal scenario for a nanny share would be if you and your friend works during different days so you can split up the week, for example, the nanny works three days a week in your home and then two days a week in your friend's home. When planning a nanny share agreement, always make sure that the nanny's schedule between the two families will not run into each other and that she would always have enough time to go from one home to another.

Many nannies accept nanny share jobs because it offers them some variety in their work. However, both families should remember that taking care of two sets of children can be very tiring indeed so show some consideration in the nanny's working hours, which should be nothing more than 10 hours a day.

Just like in a regular nanny arrangement, parents should make sure that they are comfortable with the nanny they would be hiring. All of you must have confidence in the abilities of the nanny in taking care of your children while you are away. At the same time, both sets of parents should be comfortable with each other to freely discuss the terms of the nanny share such as the work schedule, responsibilities, pay and benefits, among others. It is important to make sure that every party has a clear understanding of the nanny share arrangement and each other's expectations from the very start. Always make sure to put every agreement in a contract and have all parties sign. Be as detailed as possible when you write the contract to avoid misunderstandings in the future.

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Lucile Taylor writes for WebArticles.com, a site full of helpful insight about Family Matters and Adoption.