Live-In vs. Live-out Nannies - what's the difference?

What Is A Live-In Nanny?

A live-in nanny is just what the name implies - a nanny that lives with your family in your home. It is very important to have a clear understanding of what a live-in nanny does and does not do before hiring a caregiver. A live-in nanny is responsible for everything related to the care of your children. It typically also includes light housekeeping duties including laundry and cleaning up after the child. However, the actual job responsibilities of your live-in nanny are not set. It depends on your family's needs and what you are looking for in the ideal caregiver. Make sure you draft a detailed job description for your live-in nanny to make sure the candidate knows your expectations.

Important Things to Know

Living with your nanny is a big decision - one that involves welcoming someone into your home. To make sure your relationship with your new nanny goes smoothly, here are some tips to consider:

• Draft a clear job description - the more detailed you can be the better. Your nanny should now from the start what to expect to prevent any surprises. That way you'll run into fewer problems down the line with expectations from both sides.
• Make sure you spell out what is and what is not allowed in your home including having visitors, noises, personal habits, using kitchen appliances, etc.
• Your nanny will be part of your family, but you need to respect her privacy and give her the necessary space and time off. Just because your nanny lives with you doesn't mean she is available 24/7. Make sure you set her hours on the job clearly right from the start.
• Be clear on your childrearing philosophy. This can include everything from discipline to maintaining a type of atmosphere and environment you want for your child.

Sample Interview Questions for your Live-In Nanny

• Ask a nanny candidate whether she is looking for full-time work as a live-in nanny. This is an important distinction to make. Many caregivers assume nanny positions are live-out. Make sure you let the nanny know about your expectation.
• Ask the candidate why they prefer a live-in nanny position over a live-out position. You will be able to tell whether your nanny candidate has the same mind-set and expectations as you by how he or she answers this question.
• Ask your candidate about his or her experience as a live-in nanny and any past nanny related work experience.
• Ask her about certifications and licenses as well as schooling. You need to have a sense of how skilled and experienced she is. Selecting a caregiver that has passed the International Nanny Association Basic Skills Assessment will give you the peace of mind knowing the candidate has the necessary knowledge to provide high quality care. You should also ask about CPR training and early childhood development education.
• Find out why your nanny is leaving or has left her previous position. You'll find out a lot about a nanny candidate's preferences and whether she'll be a good fit for your home.

What Is A Live-Out Nanny?

A live-out nanny is a caregiver that comes into your home and leaves at the end of the day. This type of nanny does not live in your household. The nanny has a set schedule during the week and sometimes on the weekends. A live-out nanny is responsible for everything related to the care of your children. As with a live-in nanny, the live-out nanny's job responsibilities depend on your family's needs and what you are looking for in the ideal caregiver. Make sure you draft a detailed job description for your live-out nanny to make sure the candidate knows your expectations. A live-out nanny can be the ideal solution for allowing your child to maintain her routine in your home rather than going to day care. Plus, a live-out nanny represents less of a commitment from your side. You have the flexibility of having childcare when you need it, but don't need to re-arrange your living arrangements since the nanny leaves when you're home.

Sample Interview Questions For Your Live-Out Nanny

• During the interview, remember to discuss all of the important details of the job and the nanny's experience and credentials. However, don't forget to gauge how well the nanny fits with you and your family - do you click with her?

• When asking questions about her experience, think about whether her experience is what you're looking for and whether she seems knowledgeable about children in the age range of your own child.

• Determine how reliable and dependable the nanny would be and judge how she interacts with your child or children. Usually, your first gut reaction will tell you if she's a good fit.
• Lastly, find out about the nanny's future career goals and plans to make sure they align with yours. If you're looking for a long-term nanny you need a candidate that will be around for a while.

Things You Should Include In Your Nanny Job Description

When you're crafting a job description for a live-in nanny position, make sure you include all the important details of the job. Putting in the right amount of information can make the live-in nanny search much easier. You should include the job type (live-in), details about your family (number of children and age), how much experience you require, detailed job duties, and of course general information including your location and contact information.