Nanny Care

Hiring a Nanny

Parents have many options when it comes to child care and one choice may be to choose to hire a nanny. There are advantages to employing a nanny, but it is an expensive option, and families should take time deciding whether a nanny is best for their situation.

Legal Requirements

To legally hire a nanny you need to verify that he or she is eligible to work. You also need to pay Social Security taxes and keep track of tax deductions, medical benefits and other insurance.

Advertising Ideas

Network in your neighborhood or place of employment by asking everyone you know if they know someone who cares for children and may be interested in a nanny position. Possibilities include advertising in local daily newspapers and online advertising resources in the Child Care Help Wanted section. KSL has a website and is a great resource. Run the ad on at least two consecutive weekends. There are also many search engines online dedicated to finding a nanny. (See National Nanny Registry Links)

Job Description

A nanny job description, in short, is a written statement describing a nanny’s duties, responsibilities, and required qualifications. It will need to describe the position that you are offering in detail. It is also important to provide information about the children and the family. Set out below is a suggested list of issues that should be covered:

• Job Qualifications & Requirements
  • High School Graduate
  • Experience Preferred
  • Training in Early Childhood Education
  • First Aid, CPR
  • Driver’s license
  • Insurance
  • Authorization to work in the U.S.
  • Preferred Language
• Start date
• Hours of work
• Duties and responsibilities, relating to both the children and around the house. If you require something more than care giving duties (e.g. family shopping, laundry etc.) this should be mentioned
• Salary
• Routines that you would like kept; e.g. swimming lessons, playgroups etc.
• Holidays and Vacation
• House rules such as having visitors, use of phone, etc.
• If it is a live-in position, describe accommodations
• Use of car (if applicable)
• Whether he or she will be required to prepare all the child(ren)'s meals and whether there are specific dietary requirements
• Any medical issues relating to the child(ren) of which the nanny should be aware

Interviewing Applicant

Talk to as many applicants as you can. Ask specific questions about their work experience and childrearing philosophies as well as personal interests, after-work activities, and background. Use our Suggested Nanny Interview Questions.

Applicant and Child Time

Give each candidate a chance to spend some time with your child in your home. Do they seem attentive? How does your child interact with him or her? Your observations matter a great deal when you finally make your choice. It may help you to take a moment to ask yourself the following questions:

• Are they comfortable holding or speaking to your child?
• Are they pleasant?
• Are the two of you able to communicate easily and effectively with each other?
• While you're away from your child, will you feel at ease knowing your child is with this person?

Check References

Contact a minimum of two references, preferably work or character references, not related to the nanny.

Contract Information

Once you have made your selections, a written agreement with your caregiver is advisable. An agreement would include the following:

1. Days and hours caregiver is to work
   1. Terms of payment, including
   2. Amount to be paid
   3. When payment is due
   4. Whether payment is by check or cash
   5. Payment for overtime, care at odd hours, weekends
   6. Payment for additional duties
   7. Payment for holidays, sick leave, vacation and emergencies
   8. Social Security to be paid
   9. Health insurance may be provided 
2. Amount of notice (any pay) necessary to end arrangement

 Helpful Information

Fingerprinting and Background Checks

Utah Department of Public Safety
Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification
3888 West 5400 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84129
Fingerprint Services - 801-965-4569

Working with children and vulnerable adults - Utah Law 53-10-108 allows qualifying entities to request Utah criminal history information. Public law 105-251, the Volunteers for Children Act which amended the National Child Protection Act of 1993, was enacted October 9, 1998 to allow these same qualifying entities to request fingerprint-based national criminal history record checks of their volunteers and employees. Application is available at the website.

Business License Requirements

Check with your cities business license office to find out if you need a business license

Tax Responsibilities

Utah State Tax Commission
Obtain a Utah withholding tax ID number using form TC9. You will need to get a W4 from your nanny and send a W2 form to them at the end of the year. Publication #14 is an excellent resource.

Internal Revenue Service 
Nannies are categorized as Household Employees. Publication 926 and 15 give tables for withholding and current information on your responsibilities