Parent FAQ | The Nanny Consultant

BACKUP CARE// At The Nanny Consultant, Kyla now offers a variety of one-time childcare services. From date nights, overnights, and weekend care for you to get away to one-day family assistance to get your home up to speed, The Nanny Consultant ensures your child is in the best possible care. Kyla is excited to be working with Seattle's best. Book our on-call nanny services today and experience the ease and convenience of having a trusted caregiver available when you need it.

This service is $45 per day/booking (new customers) and $35 per day/booking (clients who hired a nanny through The Nanny Consultant). Each provider sets their own rate, generally between $35 and $40 per hour, depending on the services provided and experience.

You can learn more about our on-call nanny services on our on-call nanny page.

SOURCING// When sourcing a provider, the process involves careful consideration of the position requirements and the client's specific needs. The Nanny Consultant website and online resources, such as Indeed, are utilized, along with social media platforms, to ensure a comprehensive search. In addition, personal referrals from trusted sources are considered. Lastly, those who are dedicated to using The Nanny Consultant and are in her pool are her top choice. By using this multifaceted approach, we aim to identify the most suitable nanny who can meet the family's unique needs and expectations.

SCREENING// In 2014, Kyla founded The Nanny Consultant to provide families with unparalleled service. The Nanny Consultant sets a high bar for due diligence, and we strongly believe that no other agency in the Greater Seattle area can compare to the level of service we provide. Kyla has over two decades of experience as a nanny and, as a mother of three, knows firsthand what it takes to care for children, drawing on this background when selecting providers. We take our intake process seriously and perform an in-depth screening of all candidates. We believe in calling multiple references, and we do not cut corners by using email questionnaires for references. We also spend an hour with each candidate, really getting to know them and their needs. Each candidate must fill out an in-depth application and questionnaires, be CPR and First Aid certified, and have a current resume. Lastly, they must have a pristine driving record and background check. Our goal is to ensure that we only place nannies who meet our high standards and whom we would trust to care for our own children. If you read The Nanny Consultant's Google reviews, you will see how we first-hand select the perfect nanny and family to be paired with. Generally speaking, families will hire the first nanny we send for review.

TIMELINE// The timeline for filling a position can range from less than a week to 12 weeks, depending on the role. It usually takes the longest to fill positions under 40 hours per week. Additionally, it's important to keep in mind that most nannies need to provide a one-month to 45-day notice to their current family. Check out our blog about the perfect timeline here: Timeline Of A Nanny Search.

RATES// The main reason for the increase in Nanny rates is the rise in the cost of living, from rent to groceries to healthcare and car insurance to gas prices. The rates for each Nanny position may vary depending on several factors such as the geographical location, market demand, number of children, job duties, preferred experience, and the number of hours worked. Generally, you can expect to pay around $36 to $40 per hour for a Nanny, with part-time care costing a bit more and household support services starting at $39 or more per hour.

BENEFITS// Kyla does have minimums that follow the laws and the standards of the industry:

All domestic employees receive above-board hourly pay with overtime for any hour over 40 hours per week of time and a half.
They also receive a minimum of 2 weeks of PTO, equal to the number of hours that they work weekly.
In addition to PTO, they receive paid holidays and if they were to work a holiday, they will receive time and a half.
Paid sick time equals 1 hour of earned sick time for every 40 hours worked for WA, and some states offer a bit less. I ask that my clients consider offering 1 hour of earned sick time for every 40 hours worked.
All domestic employees receive guaranteed hours and guaranteed pay. More information is below on guaranteed hours and pay.
Many nannies appreciate having their mileage and car insurance premiums reimbursed when driving children in their vehicles. It's not just a perk; it’s a way to recognize their commitment to safety and the extra responsibility that comes with transporting little ones. If a nanny does indeed need to use their own personal vehicle, they will often need additional policies for this and can increase their monthly premiums significanlty.
Some providers will receive a health care stipend and other benefits such as a 401k, holiday and yearly bonuses, toll fees, gym memberships, stipends for enrichment classes, and other perks such as coffee cards and discounts to local businesses depending on where the family works.

PAYROLL// This is not something that is completed through the agency, though many companies provide this service. Kyla highly recommends Homepay. All clients of The Nanny Consultant receive 1 month free. It is $59 per month to use this service. They handle taxes and payroll.

AREAS SERVICED // The Nanny Consultant service's not only the Seattle area, we also service Whatcom, Snohomish, Grays Harbor, Pierce, Island, Kitsap, Walla Walla, Spokane, and Chelan Counties. In addition, she does many out of state placements as well.

THE NANNY CONSULTANT PAYMENT// The Nanny Consultant charges a non-refundable registration fee of either $375 or $675 to get going and that number will be dependent on the package that you select and a one time placement fee of 16% or 14% of your Candidate's annualized gross income for the 1st year they provide their services. If your provider stays years and years, you do not owe anything additional.

CONTRACT// Yes, and I believe I have the best one available on the market. It is packed full of valuable content that will assist you and your nanny through the first year. After the first year, you will want to revisit and update the contract to reflect the coming year. Check out our blog all about what should be included in your Nanny Parent Contract here: What to Include in a Nanny Parent Contract

NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT// You will want to contact your lawyer for a detailed NDA that meets your needs if you feel you need one. The Nanny Consultant does not provide one, though I do have a clause in the parent-nanny agreement that covers most families.

CAR INSURANCE// If you have the nanny drive your children in their car, I recommend confirming with their insurer that they offer this coverage, as many insurers do not. If you allow the nanny to drive your vehicle, you should check with your insurance company to see if they need to be added as a driver.

HOLIDAY BONUS// It is recommended that you offer your nanny a holiday bonus. The standard amount is 1-2 weeks' salary.

DOCUSIGN// Once you make an offer and they accept your position, you can upload your final Parent Nanny Agreement to DocuSign using a free trial. From there, you can sign the contract and send it to the nanny for an electronic signature. No credit card information is required; this can save time and help both parties sign the contract as soon as possible.

GUARANTEED HOURS - PAY// Guaranteed Hours is what nannies receive as a standard benefit, also known as Guaranteed Pay. This means that the nanny would receive a minimum amount of pay for the hours they are contracted for each week– yes, this includes any overtime outlined in their contract. Any hour worked outside of the hours in their contract would be paid out additionally and is to be paid at their hourly rate, including overtime if it applies. Nannies, by law, are hourly employees and cannot be contracted as salary. Though they can receive Guaranteed Hours and Guaranteed Pay as a non-exempt salary employee, meaning that their pay is broken down to hourly and any additional hours are paid.

Examples are at $25 per hour and time and a half at the rate of $37.50.

If the nanny is contracted for 40 hours a week, the nanny is to be paid 40 hours a week, every week, unless the nanny uses unpaid time off of the nanny's choosing. If there are weeks where the employer utilizes the nanny for less than 40 hours a week, then the parent would still pay them $1000 for that work week. Those extra hours that the employer did not utilize do not get banked- it is illegal to do so outside the one-week pay period and against industry standards inside the one-week pay period. If the nanny were to work 45 hours a particular week, they would get paid $1187.50. $1000 for the Guaranteed Pay and the 5 hours of overtime at $187.50.

If the nanny is contracted for 45 hours a week, they are to be paid for 45 hours a week, including the overtime rate, every week unless the nanny uses unpaid time off. That means the nanny is paid $1187.50 every week of their contract. This includes if there is a holiday in the week and they did not work because you are guaranteeing their hours and pay.

An example of a contract below is 45 hours a week at $25 per hour and $37.50 for overtime.

Parents shall pay the employee $25 per hour for the first 40 hours and $37.50 for the 5 overtime hours.
Each week, the nanny will be paid a minimum of 45 hours at the minimum weekly rate of $1187.50, even if the Employer decides not to utilize all hours agreed upon in this contract.
If the nanny works additional hours outside of the contracted hours, they will be paid out at the proper hourly rate stated above.
The only exception to Guaranteed Hours and Guaranteed Pay would be if the nanny needs to take time off of their choosing and they no longer have PTO hours or sick time hours available.
No hours will be banked, even inside the one-week working period.

Parents will follow the laws set forth by the Department of Labor. Fair Labor Standards Act Notes: With very few exceptions, domestic employees are classified as "non-exempt" (protected) workers, which entitles them to pay for every hour they work at a rate that may not be less than the federal, state and, if applicable, local minimum wage rate.

LONG-TERM CARE// Employers in Washington State are required to withhold a small long-term care tax from their Employee each pay period. These taxes fund a program designed to cover long-term care costs for employees up to a lifetime maximum of $36,500. Employees are eligible for benefits beginning in 2025, and Employees can apply for an exemption from this tax if they already have a long-term care insurance policy.

PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE// Employee is eligible for 12 weeks of paid leave per year. This state-run insurance program is funded by payroll taxes withheld from Employee. The Employee is eligible to receive benefits if they have worked 820 hours or more during the previous four quarters prior to claiming benefits. Employers will provide a notice explaining paid family and medical leave benefits to the Employee.

ANNUAL REVIEW// https://www.thenannyconsultant.com/post/the-annual-review-for-household-employees

EXPLORING THE DIFFERENT ROLES OF HOUSEHOLD STAFF//

https://www.thenannyconsultant.com/post/exploring-the-different-roles-of-household-staff

WA STATE LAWS// Homepay has a wonderful webpage laid out with all the laws for Washington.

CA STATE LAWS//

TX STATE LAWS// Homepay has a wonderful webpage laid out with all the laws for Texas.

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This service is $45 per day/booking (new customers) and $35 per day/booking (clients who hired a nanny through The Nanny Consultant). Each provider sets their own rate, generally between $35 and $40 per hour, depending on the services provided and experience.

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You can learn more about our on-call nanny services on our on-call nanny page.

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BENEFITS// Kyla does have minimums that follow the laws and the standards of the industry:

All domestic employees receive above-board hourly pay with overtime for any hour over 40 hours per week of time and a half.

They also receive a minimum of 2 weeks of PTO, equal to the number of hours that they work weekly.

In addition to PTO, they receive paid holidays and if they were to work a holiday, they will receive time and a half.

Paid sick time equals 1 hour of earned sick time for every 40 hours worked for WA, and some states offer a bit less. I ask that my clients consider offering 1 hour of earned sick time for every 40 hours worked.

All domestic employees receive guaranteed hours and guaranteed pay. More information is below on guaranteed hours and pay.

Some providers will receive a health care stipend and other benefits such as a 401k, holiday and yearly bonuses, toll fees, gym memberships, stipends for enrichment classes, and other perks such as coffee cards and discounts to local businesses depending on where the family works.

​​

PAYROLL// This is not something that is completed through the agency, though many companies provide this service. Kyla highly recommends Homepay. All clients of The Nanny Consultant receive 1 month free. It is $59 per month to use this service. They handle taxes and payroll.

​

AREAS SERVICED // The Nanny Consultant service's not only the Seattle area, we also service Whatcom, Snohomish, Grays Harbor, Pierce, Island, Kitsap, Walla Walla, Spokane, and Chelan Counties. In addition, she does many out of state placements as well.

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NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT// You will want to contact your lawyer for a detailed NDA that meets your needs if you feel you need one. The Nanny Consultant does not provide one, though I do have a clause in the parent-nanny agreement that covers most families.

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Examples are at $25 per hour and time and a half at the rate of $37.50.

An example of a contract below is 45 hours a week at $25 per hour and $37.50 for overtime.

​

Parents shall pay the employee $25 per hour for the first 40 hours and $37.50 for the 5 overtime hours.

Each week, the nanny will be paid a minimum of 45 hours at the minimum weekly rate of $1187.50, even if the Employer decides not to utilize all hours agreed upon in this contract.

If the nanny works additional hours outside of the contracted hours, they will be paid out at the proper hourly rate stated above.

The only exception to Guaranteed Hours and Guaranteed Pay would be if the nanny needs to take time off of their choosing and they no longer have PTO hours or sick time hours available.

No hours will be banked, even inside the one-week working period.

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