Finding the perfect nanny starts with a genuine, compelling invitation into your family’s world. The right job description can be the difference between finding someone who gets the job done and someone who feels like an extension of your family. And that doesn’t just mean list responsibilities; a great job description touches on your values, your priorities, and the type of love you want to surround your children with.

Here’s how you can create a job description that stands out, balances clarity with warmth, and truly speaks to top-tier nannies who will provide you with the exceptional care you’re looking for. Plus, we’ve included sample templates to make the process even easier!

1) Must-Have Job Details

Let’s start with the basics: what to include. A strong job description should include all essential details. Think of this as the facts of the position, what you can easily put on paper. Here’s what to include:

a) Introduce Your Family

Before getting into the job specifics, help potential candidates get to know your family. Providing insight into your household dynamic fosters a connection from the start. Consider including:

• Family Size: Share how many parents live in the home, how many children you have, and their ages.
• Additional Family Members: Mention if grandparents, extended family, or pets are part of the household.
• Location: Let candidates know your general location.

This all helps prospective nannies get to know the basics upfront.

b)  Schedule & Hours

To the best of your ability, get specific about the required schedule, including start and end times, number of days per week, and any flexibility required, plus what that would look like (i.e., once a week for date nights). If occasional evenings or weekends are needed, mention this upfront.

Example: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with occasional date nights upon request.

c) Compensation & Benefits

State the pay range clearly and highlight any benefits such as health insurance, PTO, or reimbursement for expenses.

Example: $30-$35 per hour, plus paid vacation**, sick days, and a monthly transportation stipend.

For full-time nannies, paid vacation and sick days are industry standard!

d) Job Duties & Responsibilities

Outline key responsibilities in a way that is easy to digest. Instead of an overwhelming list, try grouping duties into categories:

• Childcare: Feeding, bathing, and engaging in age-appropriate activities.
• Household Tasks: Light housekeeping related to the child, meal prep (like making school lunches), and laundry.
• Transportation: School drop-offs/pickups and extracurricular activities. If you expect the nanny to utilize their own car for this, make sure to include that in the job description!

e) Ideal Candidate Qualifications

Describe the qualities and experience you seek, keeping it reasonable based on compensation and your other requirements.

Example: Looking for a warm, engaging, and energetic nanny with at least 3 years of experience, CPR certification, and a valid driver’s license.

2) Balancing Clarity with Warmth & Personality

While clarity is key, you also want to make your job description inviting and reflective of your family’s personality. Here’s how:

• Use Conversational Language: Instead of “We need a nanny who can make sure everyone stays on a strict schedule,” try “We’d love a nanny who can help keep our little one’s days fun and structured.”
• Showcase Your Family’s Values: Really give this one some thought! If your family prioritizes spending time outdoors, creative outlets, or structured routines, mentions this to attract like-minded candidates.
• Be Authentic: If your home is lively and full of energy, describe it that way! If you love a quiet, peaceful environment, put that in there. It’s easy to say “we’re just a normal family!” but that doesn’t tell a prospective candidate much about what a day in your home would be like.

3) Sample Job Description Templates

a) Example 1: Full-Time Nanny

Job Title: Loving & Engaging Nanny Needed for Two Kids

Location: Los Angeles, CA
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Compensation: $30-$35/hr + PTO + Benefits

About Our Family: We are a fun-loving, busy family of four with two active children (ages 3 & 5). We are all about creativity and kindness in our home, and you can often find us enjoying outdoor adventures as a family. We’d love to find someone who shares these values!

Responsibilities:

• Provide nurturing care for our kids
• Engage them in age-appropriate activities rather than screen time (no screens in our home!)
• Prepare meals and snacks for the kids
• Assist with school drop-offs/pickups using a nanny car (provided!)
• Light tidying up related to the children

Our Ideal Candidate:

• 3+ years of experience
• CPR certified
• Energetic, patient, and creative

If this sounds like you, we’d love to meet you! Send us a resume at weneedananny@gmail.com. We can’t wait to meet you!

b) Example 2: Part-Time Nanny

Job Title: Afternoon Nanny for Sweet Toddler

We are a laid-back, positive-thinking family in Santa Monica, CA, looking for an afternoon nanny to care for our sweet toddler. Both my wife and I work from home, and we’re looking for an extra set of hands to help us out.

The schedule is Monday through Thursday from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, with a rate of $30 per hour. Our ideal candidate is warm, patient, and has at least two years of experience working with toddlers. We have a “glass half full” attitude, and we’d love for you to have one, too! Responsibilities include picking up our little one from daycare, planning creative and developmentally appropriate activities, preparing simple snacks and meals, and keeping play areas tidy. Our son goes to a Montessori daycare, so it would be great if you were familiar with this style! We also have a small pup, so please be comfortable around dogs. If you’re an engaging and nurturing caregiver who loves working with toddlers, we’d love to hear from you!

By crafting a job description with essential details while maintaining warmth, you’ll attract top nannies who truly align with your family’s needs and values. Ready to find your perfect match? Start writing with these tips in mind!