Part-Time Nannies: The Pros, the Cons, and Everything In Between

If you're thinking about hiring a nanny, there are a few things you should consider. Your main concern should be, of course, finding someone who will be a good match for your child or children, but you also need to decide whether or not you want a full-time or part-time nanny.

Think about what kind of schedule you and the rest of your family has. Is everyone out of the house more often than not? Are you schedules unreliable — that is to say, are you never certain when exactly everyone will be home? If so, a full-time nanny is probably the way to go. He or she will be there regardless of whether you are, which means you have the freedom to leave a little early or get home a little late.

However, most families can get by with a part-time nanny, so we'll focus on what you need to know about them.

First of all, part-time nannies are part-time for a reason — they have other obligations occupying the rest of their time. It could be other jobs, whether working with other families or in unrelated fields, school, or a family of their own; either way they have lives of their own, which means they want work that's reliable and will fit into their schedule. While you should be able to count on part-time nannies to be where they say they'll be and when, they should just as much be able to count on you to be where you say you'll be and when. It's not fair to the nanny if he or she has to be late to a second job or class because you're not on time. This means you'll have to work extra hard to find someone whose schedule will complement your own.

Part-time nannies are best for parents who themselves are working, going to school or engaging in other activities on a part-time basis. They're also especially useful if you work from home and just need someone around for a few hours (usually no less than four per day) during the day or evening so you can focus entirely on your work. (J.K. Rowling probably wouldn't have minded a part-time nanny while she was writing that first draft of Harry Potter, though, let's face it — she didn't fare too badly!)

Part-time nannies may also charge more per hour than their full-time counterparts. They aren't working as many hours, so they need to make up the salary difference; in the long run, though, they won't cost as much as a full-time nanny.

Finding a part-time nanny that will fit all your specifications may sound daunting — if this is the case, look into hiring a nanny placement service. Essentially, you'll sit down with someone and explain exactly what you'll need, and he or she will search through their database of employees and find a part-time nanny that suits your and your child's needs.


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OnTheGoChildcare.com is a New York nanny placement service serving families in the five boroughs as well as Long Island. Our nanny service delivers CPR certified nannies for any set of needs, whether you're looking for a full or part time nanny.