If you are thinking about hiring a nanny, timing can make a huge difference in how smoothly and successfully the process unfolds. Many families assume that nanny hiring happens throughout the year as families’ needs evolve, and while this is certainly the case, there are clear patterns that affect candidate availability, competition, and overall fit.

Understanding the best times of year for hiring a nanny can help you plan ahead, reduce stress, and increase your chances of finding a long-term match that feels like a perfect fit for your family. While every situation is unique, there are consistent trends that experienced agencies see year after year.

1) The Truest Answer: Four Weeks Before Your Ideal Start Date

While time of year matters, if there is one universal rule when it comes to hiring a nanny, it is this: the best time to begin your search is about four weeks before your ideal start date.

Starting your search four weeks in advance gives you enough time to review candidates, conduct thoughtful interviews, check references, and complete contracts without feeling rushed. It also allows space for notice periods, trial days, and onboarding conversations.

Families who try to hire in less time often feel pressured to make quick decisions, while families who start too early may lose strong candidates to other opportunities. When hiring a nanny, that four-week window tends to strike the right balance and give everyone the chance to do what needs to be done. 

2) January: After the Holiday Rush

One of the best times of year for hiring a nanny is January, once the holidays are over, routines begin to settle, and life resumes as usual. 

During the holiday season, many families delay hiring decisions due to travel, hosting guests and parties, and shifting schedules. Many nannies also pause their job searches while finishing year-end commitments and engaging in holiday festivities and travel of their own. Once January arrives, both sides are ready for fresh starts, and many pick up right where they left off. 

January is often a time when:

• Families reassess childcare needs for the year ahead
• Nannies are actively seeking new long-term roles
• Schedules become more predictable again, making it easier for families and caregivers alike to commit to long-term schedules

For families considering hiring a nanny, January can offer a strong pool of motivated candidates and a calmer hiring process.

3) Late Spring and Early Summer: A Strategic Window

Another excellent time for hiring a nanny is late spring or early summer, especially for families with school-aged children.

This period is often slower for nannies because many families travel or rely on camps and temporary care during the summer. Because of this, families may find they have more options when hiring a nanny during this window.

Hiring before a new school year allows your nanny to:

• Learn household routines before fall schedules begin
• Build relationships with children in a lower-pressure environment, as kids let loose in the summer
• Transition smoothly into school drop-offs, pickups, and activities
• Enter into a new routine alongside your kids as school transitions into summer schedules

For families who know their needs will increase in the fall, hiring a nanny earlier in the summer can lead to a much smoother adjustment.

4) Timing Matters for Newborn Care and Infant Nannies

If you are hiring a nanny for a newborn or young infant, timing becomes even more important.

Newborn nannies and infant specialists are often booked well in advance. Families who wait until the baby arrives may find limited availability. For this reason, families planning to hire a nanny for a newborn are encouraged to start their search earlier than four weeks in advance.

A good rule of thumb is to begin your search:

• During the second or third trimester, especially for a newborn care specialist 
• About six weeks before your desired start date

This extra time allows you to connect with experienced caregivers who specialize in infant care and understand newborn schedules, feeding support, and early development. For new parents in particular, this can be a huge gam changer. 

5) When Timing Is Flexible, Focus on Readiness

While seasonal trends are helpful, the best time for hiring a nanny is also tied to your family’s readiness.

Before you dive into your search, ask yourself:

• Do we have a clear job description?
• Is our schedule defined?
• Do we know what qualities matter most to us in a nanny?
• Are we prepared to onboard and communicate expectations?

Families who are clear and prepared often have a more successful experience hiring a nanny, regardless of the month on the calendar.

6) Why Planning Ahead Makes a Difference When Hiring a Nanny

Families who plan ahead when hiring a nanny tend to experience:

• Less stress during the interview and hiring process
• Better alignment with candidate availability
• More time to make thoughtful decisions
• Stronger long-term retention

Rushed hiring often leads to mismatched expectations or overlooked details, and in an industry that can feel more personal than professional, the little things matter. Thoughtful timing allows for better communication, clearer contracts, and smoother transitions for the whole household.

7) Working With an Agency Can Help You Time It Right

If you are unsure when to begin your search, working with a reputable agency can provide valuable guidance and act as a wealth of knowledge on your local industry. Agencies track hiring patterns, candidate availability, and seasonal trends throughout the year and can help ensure that your search is planned out to fit your exact needs. 

They can help you:

• Determine the best time to begin your search
• Understand how long the process may take
• Navigate competitive hiring windows
• Adjust timelines when needed

For families hiring a nanny for the first time, this support can be especially helpful.

8) What If You Need Care Quickly?

Sometimes families need to hire a nanny sooner than planned due to job changes, school transitions, a departing caregiver, or other unexpected circumstances. While planning ahead of time is, of course, ideal, strong matches with shorter timelines aren’t impossible. 

In these cases:

• Be clear and realistic about your needs
• Stay flexible where possible
• Define your non-negotiables 
• Lean on professional support if available

Even when time is limited, transparency and communication can be key to a successful hire. Following a plan can help, too. 

9) Hiring a Nanny Is About More Than the Calendar

While timing matters, the most important factor in hiring a nanny is finding the right person for your family. And while timing can play a big role, a thoughtful process, clear expectations, and mutual respect will always matter more than the specific month you start your search.

By understanding seasonal trends and planning ahead whenever possible, you can set your family up for a smoother experience and a stronger long-term relationship.

If you are thinking about hiring a nanny, starting at the right time can make all the difference. Westside Nannies would love to help.