Need a nanny? Should you hire a live in or live out nanny? Here are some things to consider so you can weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of different types of nanny. Click To TweetAre you thinking of hiring a nanny? There are many things to consider. You want to ensure you hire a nanny that’s good for your child(ren) and your own peace of mind.
One of the most common questions is whether to hire a live in or a live out nanny. This depends on exactly what you need for your family, the level of flexibility and care, and your daily and weekly routines.
To help with your decision, we’ve laid out all the different aspects on hiring either a live in or live out nanny.
What are the differences
A live in nanny: A nanny who lives in the property or on the property grounds (perhaps a separate annex or building). They will typically be given additional packages on top of salary such as access to a car, a portion of their food being covered (when on duty at the very least) and other perks such as all their bills being covered.
A live out nanny: The nanny will live in their own home, which will be a commutable distance away from the property in which they work (depending on the role). They will most likely have their own transport, and will not expect travel expenses or food to be covered.
What to consider when hiring either
Advantages of a Live in Nanny
- Flexibility. Having a live in nanny on site gives you flexibility if for example you are caught late at work and need someone to babysit. But remember, although your nanny lives on site, you must respect their privacy and downtime (unless they are on a 24-hour contract and on-call), so you shouldn’t abuse this position.
- No commute. They should always be on time and won’t get stuck in traffic getting to work.
- Save costs. You can save a bit of money by offering accommodation as a perk. Remember though that you still need to offer the market rate and can’t just take out accommodation costs from the salary.
- Good for emergencies. They are always on hand to be called upon in the event of an emergency.
- Additional care of the property. They can help look after your home and any pets whenever you go away. Do make sure this is agreed upon when hiring.
Disadvantages of a Live in Nanny
- Space requirements. It means you have to provide them with a private living space. That space cannot be used by the family. Once the nanny lives in the room or area, their privacy must be respected.
- Extra expenses. You might incur additional costs such as electricity, water, food, transport. You should factor this into your budget.
- Less Privacy. If you live in a smaller property, then the nanny might have to share your kitchen or other communal spaces, which might encroach on your privacy.
Advantages of a Live out Nanny
- No extra costs. You don’t have to provide any extras such as accommodation, transport or food.
- Complete privacy. When they finish work you and your family know you won’t be disturbed.
- Pay for fewer hours of work. You may not need a full-time person so you can save costs by setting part-time hours.
- Local knowledge. If they live in your area they usually have access to local groups and networks with other nannies so she will know of suitable activities for your children.
Disadvantages of a Live out Nanny
- Commuting. If they get stuck in traffic or are late for work it can impact your own work or schedule.
- Costs. You must pay the full market rate with no reduction for taking into account additional packages such as accommodation being offered. A reduction of the market rate might mean that your nannies move on too frequently as they have received higher offers.
- Less Flexibility. It may be that they offer you slightly less flexibility, as if you need them to start a little earlier than expected they would be unlikely to get to work in time (at late notice), but typically they are very flexible as ultimately families need nannies to be flexible!
Which one is suitable for you?
Think about your own family situation. Do you have enough space to offer accommodation to a live in nanny? Do you need the highest level of flexibility? All these things, outlined in the advantages and disadvantages above can affect your choice. For complete peace of mind, you want to have a nanny that ticks all the boxes – keeping your child(ren) safe, but also making your life easier – that’s the very reason you need to a hire a nanny after all.
How Polo & Tweed can help
Polo & Tweed work with clients all around the world, sourcing and placing the best nanny for each family. Whether you are looking for live in or a live out, and whatever specifics you require, we can help you find the perfect match! Let us help you find your new nanny. Get in touch with us here.