No family is alike and deciding between a live in or live out nanny will be an individual decision that depends on your family’s needs and personal style. Each option has pros and cons, however, there are 5 things to keep in mind when making these decisions.
- Privacy
There are only few jobs that will compare to the personal relationship you develop with a live-in nanny. A live-in nanny will see you at your most personal level. For your nanny this may also result in less personal space and a loss of independence as they will be living in your personal space. Keep in mind your living space and set-up when deciding how much privacy is important to you.
- Flexibility
If you really need flexibility in the evenings or will need to have someone you can quickly get support from in case of emergencies, then having a live-in nanny may provide more flexibility. With a live out nanny, the distance from which she lives from you as well as per personal and family circumstances will depend on how on call she can be at all times.
- Boundaries
Having a live-in nanny should not mean they will be at your service 24/7. It will mean you will need to be aware and also set more boundaries around working hours and her personal hours. Not setting clear expectations and boundaries upfront can leave your nanny disengaged, exhausted and feel taken advantage of.
- Budget
A live-in nanny would typically have lower wages as her accommodation and often meals would be provided by the family. With a live out nanny you would have to consider including a housing allowance or even a metro card to cover her living and travel expenses.
- Communication
Regardless which approach you take, the most important element is to ensure you have clearly communicated your expectations around duties, work hours, overtime, benefits and house rules. This will reduce the chances of misunderstanding or resentments building up both for the family and the nanny.