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Why Part-Time Nanny Placements Are So Tricky (and How to Make Them Last)
- Ruth Regan
- Oct 3
- 3 min read
For many families, hiring a part-time nanny sounds like the perfect solution. Flexible hours, lower costs, and just enough help to cover childcare gaps. But here’s the catch: part-time nanny placements are some of the hardest to make last.
Why Part-Time Placements Often Fall Through
Career Nannies Want Stability Most professional nannies are looking for steady, reliable work. When a job only offers 10–20 hours per week, it can feel unstable. Without guaranteed hours, many nannies continue searching for a position that offers long-term security.
“A Few Hours Here and There” Isn’t Enough If your schedule fluctuates or offers inconsistent hours, your nanny may feel like they can’t fully rely on the role. That instability often leads to turnover — not because your nanny doesn’t enjoy your family, but because they need dependable income.
Competition for Talent Is High The best nannies know their worth. If they’re offered a full-time job or even a better-paying part-time role with more consistency, they’re likely to move on.
Cherry Creek Nanny Agency's Recommendation
To make a part-time placement work long-term, you’ll need to balance your family’s needs with what a professional nanny requires:
Offer at least 30 guaranteed hours per week. Even if you don’t always use every hour, the guarantee provides stability.
If offering fewer hours, make the pay competitive. This shows you value your nanny’s time and helps offset the instability of part-time work.
The Bottom Line
Part-time nanny placements aren’t impossible — but they do require careful planning. When families only think about what they need, placements often fall through. When you also consider what a career nanny needs to thrive, you’ll create a role that feels stable, fair, and worth staying in.
✨ The result? A happy nanny, smoother childcare, and a placement that truly lasts.
WANT TO HANDLE THE SEARCH YOURSELF?
Not every family chooses to work directly with an agency — and that’s why we created the Confident Nanny Hiring: The Complete Parent’s Guide Bundle.
Our DIY Nanny Hiring Guides walk you step by step through the same process agencies use, including:
Background check recommendations
Interview question toolkits
Red flag checklists
Contract guidance
Onboarding tips
So whether you choose to partner with an agency or DIY your search, you’ll have the tools and confidence to make the right hire.
📖 Explore the guides today and take charge of your nanny search with clarity and confidence.
WHAT'S INSIDE THE BUNDLE?
Guide 1: A 10-Step Guide to Hiring Your Dream Nanny
A complete roadmap that walks you from “Where do I start?” to “We found our nanny!” with confidence, clarity, and ease.
Guide 2: The Nanny–Family Handbook Template
A ready-to-customize handbook that covers your household values, communication norms, rules, and expectations—keeping everyone on the same page.
Guide 3: The Family Guide to Legal Nanny Hiring
Demystifies payroll, taxes, workers’ compensation, and insurance. Includes referrals and resources so you can stay compliant, avoid penalties, and protect both your family and your nanny. Includes a real “story time” case where workers’ comp saved a family from major financial loss.
Guide 4: Drafting Job Descriptions, Interviews & Trials
Step-by-step guidance for writing clear job ads, conducting interviews with confidence, and running structured trial days that set everyone up for success.
Guide 5: Nanny Pay, Raises & Incentives
Understand industry standards for pay, overtime, and bonuses. Learn creative incentive strategies that keep your nanny motivated, happy, and long-term committed.
Guide 6: The Complete Nanny–Family Work Agreement
Covers everything from hours to holidays, overtime to house rules. Includes a fillable template so you and your nanny start with clarity and mutual accountability.
Guide 7: The Nanny Hiring Toolkit
Your all-in-one toolkit with customizable job description templates, proven interview questions, red flag checklists, and evaluation scorecards—so you can simplify the hiring process and make smart, informed decisions.
Guide 8: Evaluating Fit, Navigating Challenges, and Planning for Longevity
Learn how to assess the right nanny for your family, anticipate common challenges before they become problems, and create a relationship built to last.
THE ULTIMATE NANNY & BABYSITTER INTERVIEW TOOLKIT
Not sure where to start? We’ve also created a Free Nanny Interview Toolkit to help parents kick off the hiring process with clarity. Inside, you’ll find:
Must-ask questions to reveal a nanny’s true experience
Red flags to listen for during interviews
Tips for comparing candidates fairly and confidently
This toolkit is designed to help you make smarter decisions from the very first conversation with a potential nanny.
📖 Download your free toolkit today and take the first step toward a smoother, safer hiring process.
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