A Nanny Match Blog

Looking to hire a nanny in New York City? After spending the last six years assisting families (with over 200 searches), and establishing strong relationships with high-caliber career nannies in NY, our team put together a list of traits to search for in an NYC nanny.

In addition to some of the familiar character traits such as warmth, kindness, reliability, responsibility, and a passion for taking care of children, here are our thoughts:

1. Resourceful, Creative, and Personable

New York City is a city with endless possibilities, especially for your little ones. There are always a ton of fun, kid-friendly activities going on throughout the city.

Parents want to know that their children are getting the most out of NYC and that they have the opportunity to safely explore it under the careful watch of an experienced nanny by their side.

We seek out nannies who are resourceful and personable; nannies who can organize playdates with the children’s friends from their school or classes, nannies, and other parents in the neighborhood.

2. Safety conscious

Living in a large city, there are many risks and concerns surrounding safety. This is why New York City families often prioritize a safety-conscious and attentive nanny.

Whether it be crossing busy city streets or keeping an eye on the kids at the park, parents seek nannies who are aware of their surroundings and able to anticipate and plan for many different situations. 

This also pertains to CPR certifications and vaccinations. For infants and young children, many parents require TDAP, Flu, and covid vaccinations.

3. Flexibility with the schedule.

Having a flexible schedule and being proactive is also very important as new things are always coming up. Trains and traffic frequently cause delays, and parents’ jobs are often very demanding. Having a nanny who can be flexible is one of the most important traits that NYC parents look for in a nanny.

Of course, to maintain a solid relationship with your nanny, it’s important to note that real-time communication is of the utmost importance. Employees are expected to be provided with a certain amount of notice and for the schedule to remain as consistent as possible.

4. Hourly Rates and Legal Pay

NYC career nannies almost always insist on and have the right to, fair and legal pay within market pay rates. Nannies often filter their searches by hourly pay. It’s best to begin your search with a firm understanding of the current market gross hourly rates, how to pay an employee legally in your state, and the out-of-pocket expenses that may need to be factored in.

There are a number of benefits of legal pay for employers and employees. Were you aware that if you pay your nanny more than $2000 in a calendar year, you are legally obligated to pay your nanny on a W-2?
We provide our clients with the knowledge and resources to easily get their nannies set up on payroll with companies like GTM Payroll Services,

5. Knowledge of the city/boroughs

Having a nanny that you can trust to take your child to school and activities whether by vehicle, on the subway, or on a walk, is key in New York City. When your nanny is familiar with the NYC neighborhoods, they develop a deep understanding of the do’s and don’ts, and how to correctly navigate the city streets. 

Of course, being tech savvy also helps; your nanny needs to know which resources and tools to use as they navigate the city. Becoming familiar with these applications will help them know which subway station to take and how long it should take to arrive.

This is not to say that out-of-state candidates are not great candidates as well, and parents should have the understanding and expectation that it may take some time for them to get acclimated.

Whether you are searching for a full-time, part-time, live-in, or live-out nanny, A Nanny Match is here not only to take the legwork out of the vetting process for you but to serve as your personal matchmaker. Our team will work alongside you and guide you through the entire hiring and onboarding process from beginning to end. We place a strong emphasis on compatibility to ensure you’ve found the ideal nanny for your family.
For more information about our mindful matchmaking process, please visit our website or send us an email at kristen@anannymatch.com.