The choice between a live-in or live-out nanny is largely a personal one. Live-in nannies generally work longer hours and provide greater coverage while live-out nannies provide greater privacy to the family during evenings and weekends. It’s best to carefully consider your travel schedule, age of your children, desire for privacy and the level of accommodations you have to offer before embarking on the hiring process.

Here are the key factors worth considering:

Live-In Nannies:

• Typically work longer hours, with an earlier start time and later end time, and are often more available for travel.
• Usually live in for seven days and work five days, generally Monday to Friday, but sometimes Tuesday to Saturday.
• Private accommodations with a private room and bath should be provided, as well as all meals.
• Live ins usually work 40 to 60 hours per week, 5 days a week. Days off should be consecutive and at least one day off should be a weekend day.
• A live-in nanny is not on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. She should have regular hours and be allowed to leave in the evenings and on her days off after her hours are complete. She can be expected to babysit 1-2 evenings a week with advance notice. You want your nanny to be well balanced and have a personal life. This will prevent burnout and ensure she stays with you as long as possible!
• A car should be provided for family business, and for many nannies a car for personal use is an added perk!
• Nannies are generally given two weeks paid vacation and paid major holidays.
• Consider providing medical insurance. More and more nannies need this, and it is a great benefit and selling point to working with your family.

Live-Out Nannies:

• Live-out nannies provide childcare during the day, but provide privacy to the family during the evenings and weekends.
• Full time live-out nannies usually work 40-50 hours per week, 5 days a week, generally Monday to Friday and occasionally Tuesday to Saturday.
• Although the salaries may be the same, a live out does not require room and board, a car for personal use, and usually does not require medical insurance.
• If you do not have private accommodations in your home or access to offsite accommodations, a live out is your best choice.
• Live-out nannies generally cannot travel with the family except for short trips. Most live outs have their own family responsibilities that they need to fulfill, and they are not always available to work very late or start very early in the mornings. With advance notice, most live-out nannies can work an occasional late evening.
• A car should be provided for the nanny to use for family business. The nanny is responsible for getting herself to and from work every day.
• Nannies are generally given two weeks paid vacation and paid major holidays. Consider a similar policy even for hourly and part time nannies. This type of generosity will engender great loyalty in your nanny!