Professional Nanny Shares Five Things Every Parent Should Know

Nannies and babysitters are often touted as the unsung heroes of the family.

But anyone who watched the Peacock series “All Her Fault,” which premiered Nov. 6, can see how welcoming a professional nanny or babysitter into the house can quickly turn into a parenting nightmare.

Though not based on a true story, the show — based on a 2021 novel of the same name by Andrea Mara — was inspired by real-life events.

Professional nanny details the five things she wants every parent to know when hiring a babysitter — cottonbro studio / Pexels

Without giving away any spoilers, “All Her Fault” tells the story of a mother, Marissa, whose young son, Milo, vanishes after his very first playdate with one of his friends at school.

As investigators narrow down a list of suspects, they shift their focus to a nanny hired by a family friend.

The show highlighted one of the many reasons why so many families today find hiring a babysitter to be one of the most difficult decisions a parent makes — especially when hiring outside of their inner circle.

If that sounds like you, then Nanny Miss Monique is here to help.

Nanny Miss Monique is a professional nanny — and a mother to an 8-year-old daughter — who has served in the childcare industry for more than 25 years, according to Today.com.

In 2023, she appeared on an episode of the “Today” show where she shared some of her best parenting tips when hiring a nanny or babysitter with then-host Hoda Kotb.

Let’s take a quick look at Monique's tips.

5. Always be specific about your child’s schedule

Parents need to be specific about what the nanny is expected to do and what the job entails.

Cooking, cleaning, feeding, playing, transportation, bedtime, appointments, friends, bathing, school and homework duties all need to be explicitly defined before leaving the nanny alone with the kids.

We all have a schedule we follow — especially kids — but most nannies won’t know until you tell them.

"Mommy and Daddy know what’s best, so they should provide a schedule for meals, (including) specific rules about screen time or (other) preferred activities,” Monique said on the show.

As with anything in life, the key to preventing guesswork is communication — and a lot of it.

That means making sure you give the nanny you and your significant other’s phone number so they can call or text whenever they have a question — and making sure you answer as soon as possible.

4. Teach your sitter how to do and use everything

Most homes have a washer and dryer, but that doesn’t mean all washers and dryers work the same.

So, even though your nanny has likely used a washer and dryer before, that doesn’t mean they know how to use yours — and that’s true with just about anything in your home.

"If you have a baby, maybe it’s the bottle warmer, the stroller or the noise machine," Monique said in 2023. "If you have an older child, maybe it’s details needed for any of their games or activities.”

That also includes everything from how to use a garage door opener to how to properly lock the door.

In other words, make a list of all the things your babysitter will need to do throughout the day and write a detailed description of how to do them and how to resolve any issues that could arise while doing it.

Even if it’s something you expect the babysitter to know, there’s nothing wrong with being diligent.

3. Have an emergency plan — and share it with the sitter

Emergencies happen — and your babysitter needs to know how to respond when they do.

"Have a clear list of contacts and details just in case there is an emergency have them written down and put them somewhere the nanny can see," Monique explained to Kotb in 2023.

According to Stanford Medicine Children's Health, your sitter should have easy access to the following information:

Family name
Phone number
Address, with clear directions on how to locate your house
Children's names and ages
Children's allergies, health history, and daily medicines
Phone number where parent or guardian will be
Address where parent or guardian can be reached
Cell phone numbers
Neighbor's name and phone number
Local relative's name and phone number
Local emergency phone number
Healthcare provider's name
Healthcare provider's phone number
Insurance name and number
Poison control center
Police
Ambulance
Fire department
What time you will be home

Parents should also detail the family’s emergency plan — such as where to go when a fire breaks out or during a tornado watch and safe hiding places inside the home in case of a burglar or break-in.

All of this should be written down to ensure your sitter doesn’t forget when adrenaline is high.

2. Make sure you’re paying your sitter fairly

One of the biggest questions parents have when hiring a nanny is how much it’ll cost.

While the average cost of a nanny or sitter varies by location, experience, hours, responsibilities and the number of children they’re caring for, Monique urges parents to “never underpay” and always pay fairly.

“You need to Google the appropriate pay for your state. If you don’t know, you can always go to Indeed. And you can adjust it based on experience,” she explained.

For example, the average cost of a sitter is as high as $20 per hour in Washington and Colorado, but as low as $12.52 in Florida, $13.08 in West Virginia and $13.11 in Arkansas, per Parents.com.

Any information regarding the terms, structure and methods of payment should be discussed in the contract — and make sure you’re specific.

Is it an hourly or daily rate? Are they on a retainer? What is the hourly or daily rate? When will payments be made — and how will the nanny receive those payments?

You’ll also want to include any factors that could increase or decrease their pay.

Is there an opportunity for a future raise? Will they get paid more on holidays? What if you end up coming home later than expected? Will the nanny receive partial pay if the parent cancels?

Benefits, such as paid time off, vacation time and sick time, should also be clarified.

1. Maintain a safe environment for both kids and the sitter

Last but not least, Monique stressed the importance of maintaining a safe environment — not just for your kids (which is obvious), but also for the sitter.

For example, parents should always make sure their nanny or sitter has a reliable form of transportation.

"If your babysitter drove that night, make sure she calls you when she gets home," she said.

"If your nanny or babysitter took public transportation or if they walked to your home, make sure that you drive them home or that you call them an Uber,” she added.

Parents often forget that their nanny or babysitter is also someone's child, sibling or parent. And they deserve to feel secure in your home just as much as your kids do.

Other parenting tips when hiring a nanny

Hiring a nanny is a nerve-wracking experience — and many parents have no idea where to begin.

Even those that do begin the process often find it difficult to find a nanny they trust.

According to a Care.com Babysitter Survey, 84% of parents “say it’s difficult to get any time away from their kids due to the many challenges of finding a sitter” and 89% had to cancel plans as a result.

And while more than half of parents “say they get time away from their children at least once per week,” that number would increase to 63% “if it were easier for them to find a babysitter.”

Let’s take a look at some other parenting advice when hiring babysitters or nannies:

Look for a sitter within your circle of friends, faith community or neighborhood
Make sure sitters are at least 13 and mature enough to handle basic household emergencies
Look for someone who has experience working with children
Have the sitter spend time with you before babysitting to meet the children and learn their routines
Always check references
Ask about certifications in CPR and first aid — or offer to pay for training if they're willing to get certified
Trust your gut instinct during the interview process — if something feels off, keep looking
Set clear boundaries about having friends over, using their phone, and what areas of the house are off-limits
Create a written agreement or contract outlining expectations, responsibilities and compensation

At the end of the day, finding the right nanny or babysitter takes time, patience and thorough vetting. But when you find someone who clicks with your family, it's worth every bit of effort.

ALSO ON MOD MOMS CLUB: Hailey Bieber Opens Up About Mom Life and Having Full-Time Help

The key is doing your homework upfront, communicating clearly, and treating your sitter with the same respect and consideration you'd want for your own children.