One of the most significant aspects to consider when hiring a nanny is whether you want to find live-in or live-out childcare. Learning about the pros and cons of both types can help you decide which would be the ideal form of support for your home.
What is a Live-In Nanny?
A live-in nanny is a nanny who resides in your home, in a private room, or in a separate part of the house. Given their close proximity on off hours, they are typically more flexible than a live-out nanny. Take a look at some of the pros and cons below.
PROS:
- Great for full time support: Whether your nanny is full time, or even a ROTA (rotational) nanny, having them live in the home typically means they’re more flexible to work longer days since they don’t have to worry about a commute.
- Convenient for early morning and late-night needs: If your children are in school or similar programs, this can often mean that you need support in the mornings and evenings, but there is a large chunk of the day when you may not need them. When a nanny lives in, there is more flexibility with their work times.
- No risk of traffic or other delays: Life will never stop throwing us curveballs—construction on the highway, train delays, neighbors blocking your car: so much can happen just on our way to work. Why not eliminate this element all together!
- This can allow your nanny to grow a closer bond with your children: By living under the same roof, nannies can quickly become a part of the family.
- Last-minute emergencies: while your nanny will still have their own life, living in the home means they are usually more flexible for any last-minute needs.
CONS:
- Space requirements: To be able to hire a live-in nanny, you must have a suitable living space for them to stay in, which means private accommodations.
- Less privacy for both parties: Even if their room is on the other side of the house, there will be moments where both parties may feel like they don’t truly have their own space.
- More difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance: Lines between working and personal hours can become blurred, and if consistent, can cause a nanny to burn out quickly.
What is a Live-Out Nanny?
A live-out nanny has their own place of residence and commutes to your home during work hours. They are typically hired for a specific working schedule.
PROS:
- Clearer boundaries: Having a healthy work-life balance promotes better overall health for both your nanny and your family
- More opportunities for private time with your family: While nannies can be exactly the support your family needs, having someone who has a set departure time means that your family also has a set time where you can more easily connect.
- Easier transition: Having a new person living in your home can be a stressful change for some families/children. A live-out nanny allows for a smoother transition into learning more about your caregiver.
CONS:
- Less flexibility: Unless agreed upon prior, a live-out nanny is typically less flexible for last-minute coverage. Of course, this will depend on your specific nanny.
- Uncontrollable delays: Whether traffic, running late, or anything else life can surprise us with, sometimes, being late is out of our control.
- Bonding with your family: It may take a bit longer for your nanny to become a part of your family
When deciding whether to hire a live-in nanny vs. a live-out nanny, ask these questions:
- What is your weekly schedule like? What kind of support do we need?
- Do you have the space for another person to live comfortably in your home?
- How important is privacy?
- Do your needs exceed the typical work-week hours?
Overall, the most essential part of this process is finding someone you and your children click with; searching for a nanny with a similar lifestyle, values, communication styles, and more can help make whichever arrangement you choose successful. If you are unsure which professional is right for you, please get in touch with the experienced and caring staff at the Nanny Authority at 973-466-2669 or info@nannyauthority.com. We have been connecting families with both live-in and live-out for decades and are ready to listen to your needs and help you make the best choice.