Frequently Asked Questions
by Nannies
Frequently Asked Questions
by Nannies
This varies on experience, location, and availability. If you work 3-4 nights a week for 45 weeks out of the year at $175 then you would make $23,000-$31,500 per year. We do not suggest making this your primary source of income. Sometimes babies sleep through the night early and the parents give a two weeks notice earlier than expected, or you have babies born early that are in NICU. This is great side income for someone who loves snuggling munchkins!
Before deciding to become a night nanny, you need to make sure that you will have appropriate time to rest and that you are a light sleeper. In the interview process, you will discuss that your job is to take care of the baby/babies and any infant-related chores. After that, we recommend lightly resting wherever the baby/ babies are located. However, you must make sure that you have rested before going in, because it is unacceptable to fall asleep while holding a baby or to sleep through an infant's cries.
—Non smoker (most parents will not even consider a smoker)
—CPR and First Aid Certification
—Flu/TDAP shots
—Background screening and drug test
—Infant training
You get access to a 70+ video library that includes newborn skills, business advice, what to do with multiples, and more!
—Private facebook community that has access to experts and other night nannies
—Annual background screening and drug test
—With our yearly subscription, you will be featured on the directory so that parents in your area can contact you
COVID-19 guidelines: We strongly recommend that if they have been exposed to COVID that you self quarantine for 2 weeks and do not return to work until you cannot transmit it. We also recommend that you wear a mask at all times in a client's home.
We recommend that if you have a cough or runny nose that you wear a mask. If you have any GI or fever, we suggest that you do not come until you have been fever-free for 48 hours. During the interview process, we suggest that you determine your comfort level with this process with your would-be client and seek to understand what their comfort levels are. If they do not wish for you to come in with a cold, industry standard would be that the family compensates you for missed work. Make sure this is addressed either in the interview or when they sign the contract.
The sooner the better! The sooner you are contacted, the easier it will be for you to determine how you can best help your clients. It is possible for you to be booked up to 6 months out. We recommend finding one or two other nannies in your area if you would like to have people that can cover for you in an emergency.
This is super common. We suggest that parents check in with you 6 weeks prior to their due date and then every 2 weeks until they give birth. When they go into labor, have them contact you on the way to the hospital and then keep you updated as to when they will be released. We love being there the first night home because being at the hospital is exhausting. If a baby has a NICU, ask for them to keep you in the loop.
You may have other clients already booked after your current client. If your current client wants to extend their time, encourage them to speak about this soon. Attempt to keep the set nights if your next family is flexible. If not, work with each family to do what is best for all schedules involved.
If a client needs a short notice night (under 24 hour notice) and you are able to accommodate, there is typically a standby fee of $50 added to that night.
If clients would like to reduce the amount of nights or end services, ask that they give a 2 week notice so that you can let other families know you're available. It might be tempting for parents to end services the first time the baby sleeps through the night, but let them know that it is sometimes a one time thing before it becomes a pattern.
At the end of the day, these are little lives that you are responsible for. This is something we take very seriously. Our top recommendation is that you have everything negotiated ahead of time and documented in a contract. Most problems come from lack of communication and if you can have all of the scenarios thought through ahead of time that allows you to enjoy your job to the fullest.