A clear, professional nanny agreement must include one key element: guaranteed hours. This simple but crucial policy ensures stability for your caregiver while keeping your household running smoothly. Families who build this into their contracts not only attract top candidates but also foster loyalty, professionalism, and consistency in their childcare arrangements.

If you’re new to household employment or writing your first nanny contract, here’s why guaranteed hours for nannies matter, and why both families and nannies benefit from this professional standard.

1) What Are Guaranteed Hours for Nannies?

Guaranteed hours mean that your nanny is compensated for a set number of hours each week, whether you need them for every one of those hours or not. For example, if your contract states 40 guaranteed hours per week, your nanny will be compensated for those hours even if you only require care for 35 hours in a certain week.

This arrangement gives nannies financial stability and allows families to set a predictable schedule. Instead of worrying about fluctuating paychecks, nannies can rely on consistent income, which fosters a long-term commitment to your household.

2) Why Guaranteed Hours Are Standard for Professional Nannies

a) It Attracts High-Quality Candidates

Professional nannies look for families who value their time and expertise. Offering guaranteed hours signals that you’re serious about being a reliable employer, and serious candidates are far more likely to accept an offer with that kind of stability.

b) It Builds Trust and Professionalism

By providing guaranteed hours, you demonstrate respect for your nanny’s time. Even if you’re on vacation, working from home, or running fewer errands one week, your nanny doesn’t have to worry about a sudden drop in income. This builds trust and keeps the relationship on solid footing.

Consider this: your child is in a daycare program. Your family is going on vacation for a week, so your child won’t be attending daycare. But that doesn’t mean that the daycare will reimburse you for the week. While your schedule might fluctuate, a nanny, especially a full-time nanny, is dedicating their professional life and time to your family.

c) It Reduces Turnover

When caregivers know they can depend on steady pay, they’re more likely to stay long-term. High turnover disrupts routines for both children and parents, and replacing a great nanny is never easy. Guaranteed hours help you retain your nanny and avoid costly, time-consuming searches.

3) What Do Families Get Out of Guaranteed Hours?

Families often think guaranteed hours benefit only the nanny, but that’s not true. It offers clear advantages for employers, too:

• Reliable Availability: Your nanny is likely to prioritize your schedule, knowing they’re paid whether every hour is used or not.
• Stronger Commitment: Nannies with consistent income are more invested in the job and less likely to pursue additional work during off weeks.
• Simpler Payroll: Consistent hours make calculating paychecks and taxes much easier.

Guaranteed hours provide stability for everyone.

4) How to Structure Guaranteed Hours in Your Nanny Contract

• Agree on a Weekly Minimum: Decide on a number of hours that works for both you and your nanny.
• Clarify Overtime: If your nanny works beyond guaranteed hours, note that those hours are paid at their standard or overtime rate, depending on your state’s labor laws.
• Plan for Vacations or Sick Days: Confirm whether guaranteed hours apply during family vacations or when your nanny is unavailable (e.g., sick leave, PTO).

Setting clear terms upfront prevents confusion later and ensures that both sides are on the same page.

Offering guaranteed hours for nannies isn’t just a perk. It’s an industry standard that creates fairness, stability, and professionalism. When families guarantee pay, they’re showing respect for their caregiver’s time, making their job more secure, and ensuring consistent, high-quality childcare for their children.

At Westside Nannies, we always recommend including guaranteed hours in every professional nanny contract. It’s one of the simplest ways to build trust, attract top talent, and foster a long-term, successful relationship.