If you’re considering hiring a nanny through a professional agency, you’re likely wondering: What do I need to have in place? Does the nanny agency have any requirements that I need to meet? Let’s discuss everything you need to know about nanny agency requirements, whether you’re hiring a part-time nanny, full-time caregiver, overnight care, or ROTA support.

1) Nanny Agency Requirements at a Glance

Hiring through a nanny agency comes with a ton of benefits, as well as certain expectations. Unlike hiring on your own, an agency like Westside Nannies ensures every candidate is vetted, qualified, and matched based on your family’s unique needs. That said, families must also be prepared to offer a professional, legal, and respectful working environment. This includes adhering to local and federal labor laws, setting a clear schedule, and being prepared to offer a competitive compensation package.

2) What You’ll Need to Hire Through an Agency

Most nanny agencies, especially those working with career nannies, require that families:

• Offer a legal, W-2 position: Agencies require that families classify their nanny as a household employee, not an independent contractor.
• Have a clear job description: Know how many hours you need coverage, what duties the role includes (childcare only or family assistant tasks?), and the ages of your children.
• Be ready to pay competitive rates: do some research on your local market, and consider a range that matches both your budget and your requirements, considering factors like level of experience and responsibilities.

For ROTA (rotational) positions or high-level full-time roles, you may also need to provide:

• Housing or accommodations (for live-in or travel-heavy roles)
• Travel arrangements and per diems
• A structured schedule with clear time off

3) Do I Need to Offer Benefits?

Offering benefits isn’t always required, but it’s increasingly expected, especially by professional career nannies for ROTA or full-time positions. Competitive families looking for full-time care often include:

• Paid sick leave and holidays
• Paid vacation time (usually 2+ weeks)
• Healthcare stipend or access to employer-sponsored insurance
• Mileage reimbursement or access to a household vehicle

While you don’t legally have to offer all of these and they aren’t as common for part-time care, full-time nannies are more likely to accept and stay in roles that include benefits. A well-compensated nanny is also a more committed, long-term employee.

4) What About Overtime and Legal Employment?

One of the most important nanny agency requirements is compliance with local and federal labor laws.

In California, for example:

• Nannies are classified as non-exempt hourly employees, meaning they’re entitled to overtime pay.
• Overtime starts after 9 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week.
• Live-in nannies are entitled to overtime after 9 hours/day and double time after 12 hours.

You’ll also need to:

• Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Set up payroll (we can help with that!)
• Issue pay stubs and year-end tax forms (W-2)

Legal employment protects you and your nanny and ensures eligibility for benefits like tax credits and Dependent Care FSAs. While this can seem overwhelming, your agency can act as a resource and partner through the process, ensuring nothing has fallen through the cracks and you haven’t had to figure it out on your own.

5) Working with Westside Nannies

At Westside Nannies, we specialize in matching families with exceptional nannies in Los Angeles and beyond. We’ll help you find a perfect fit for your family, yes. But we’ll also guide you through the entire process, from defining your job description to navigating contracts and payroll setup.

When you work with us, we’ll help you:

• Understand nanny agency requirements specific to your needs
• Create a compliant, professional job offer
• Match with nannies who align with your parenting style, values, and schedule
• Support you during onboarding and post-placement

Whether you’re hiring a full-time career nanny, a part-time after-school caregiver, a ROTA nanny for rotational coverage, or whatever your needs may be, we’re here to ensure your experience is seamless.

Working with a nanny agency means that you are making a commitment to legal employment, competitive compensation, and clear communication with a partner to help you through every step of the process. When you meet these requirements and move forward with a team of professionals, you open the door to finding and retaining exceptional caregivers who will become a lasting part of your family’s support system.