Frequently Asked Questions

No, whether the individual worked for you in the past or you only met them for an interview, you are still obligated to compensate Philadelphia Nanny Network for the application, registration, and agency fees if you engage their services for a temporary job, babysitting, or long-term employment. Failure to do so may be legally actionable and could result in financial liability.

Additionally, our Services Agreement states that nannies cannot be passed along to another person for the purpose of hiring. We invest significant effort in recruiting the best nannies, and redirecting them away from Philadelphia Nanny Network, as fully vetted employees, is not ethical and violates our contractual agreement.

Yes, overtime is paid according to federal and state requirements, and clients will be charged for overtime at a rate of time and a half. If the nanny can accommodate a change in schedule for longer hours, she will request a signed time card, which she will submit to us for payroll.

Please note that the agency does not allow paying the nanny directly or “under the table” for any time outside of the arrangement with Philadelphia Nanny Network. Doing so would violate the contractual service agreement between you, the nanny, and Philadelphia Nanny Network. While it may seem convenient to ask the nanny to work extra hours and pay her cash, this practice is prohibited.

We identify candidates for your job. We review your specific needs and preferences to match you with candidates from our pool of vetted nannies. We consider factors like experience, skills, and personality to ensure a good fit for your family.

We market your open position and present the job details to selected candidates, and those who express interest will be shared with you for consideration.

We present a nanny’s profile to you. For each interested candidate, you’ll receive a detailed profile that includes their experience, references, qualifications, and more.

We talk about and arrange a trial day. If you find a nanny you’re interested in, we can coordinate trial days. This allows both you and the nanny to feel comfortable with the arrangement before making an official offer.

The last step is extending an offer and getting an acceptance. Once you’re ready to extend an offer, we assist in finalizing the details, including pay, hours, duties, benefits, and any other specifics. We’ll ensure everything is clear and agreed upon before moving forward.

When a nanny cancels, we move quickly to find you a replacement.

Here is what to expect:
If we hear from the nanny first, we will contact you right away. If the nanny reaches out to you directly, please let us know immediately so we can get to work on finding the replacement.

When a cancellation is last minute, we may ask whether you have a little flexibility on start time. Being open to a slight adjustment gives us the best chance of getting someone to you as quickly as possible.

If we are unable to find a replacement, you are not charged for the day.

As for why cancellations happen, nannies occasionally get sick themselves or face a family emergency, and we handle those situations with care and empathy.

For long-term and short-term positions, yes! You will go through the interview process and meet all candidates you consider a good fit. For temporary positions, we will assign one of our nanny employees to your request, but we appreciate your feedback to ensure we’ve made a great match.

For temporary care, hiring can happen almost immediately. For longer-term temporary positions, it may take a few weeks. Our nanny employees are ready to work!

For long-term hires (at least one year), the average timeframe is typically three to six weeks from start to finish. However, we’ve made referrals in as little as one day, while some searches may take multiple months, depending on your family’s unique circumstances. We prioritize maintaining our screening quality.

The timeline also depends on your responsiveness. If you promptly return our calls and contact candidates quickly, the process will be shorter. Conversely, delays in communication can extend the timeline. Ultimately, it’s crucial to hire the right nanny, and many clients find the perfect fit within the first few interviews.

In this competitive market, it’s important to act quickly. If you hesitate to hire a nanny or delay responding when we reach out, they may be hired by someone else in no time!

The IRS considers household employees hourly. This means they should be paid hourly and receive overtime for working more than 40 hours a week. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) classifies household workers as non-exempt employees entitled to overtime pay. Instead of offering a flat salary, which can violate overtime laws, many families provide guaranteed hours at an agreed hourly and overtime rate.

If Philadelphia Nanny Network is the employer, we manage all employment paperwork, tax filings, workers’ compensation insurance, unemployment, and weekly pay disbursement. Our flat hourly rate covers both the nanny’s pay and our fee, which is based on the nanny’s earnings.

If you choose to employ the nanny, you will be responsible for the employment paperwork, tax filings, workers’ compensation insurance, unemployment, and weekly pay disbursement. You may consider hiring a payroll service to assist with these tasks. In this case, we charge a daily agency fee based on the nanny’s compensation.

Sales tax is not paid on the employment portion of the hourly rate.  Sales tax in Pennsylvania is paid on a small portion of the hourly rate charged to the client.

Sales tax is not paid on the employment portion of the hourly rate. Sales tax in Pennsylvania is paid on a small portion of the hourly rate charged to the client.

Absolutely! If both you and the nanny agree to extend the arrangement, Philadelphia Nanny Network will facilitate the extension process. This includes discussing any changes in schedule, pay, or duties. Just let us know in advance, and we’ll ensure a smooth transition so that your care continues without interruption.

We love that, and yes, you can, as long as the nanny agrees to the new employment agreement. Let us know that this is what you want and we will take it from there. We manage the transition, for you and your nanny, from being our employee to being your employee. We will discuss with you everything from job structure and job offer to transition fees.

For the nannies who are Philadelphia Nanny Network employees, they all accrue PTO. If one of our employees is working a consistent schedule with you, on a short term basis, we work with you to arrange time off needed to recover from illness or refresh on vacation.

In long term jobs, there should be an agreement with the employee about how paid time off is used. In most compensation packages, there are days that are paid as paid vacation, paid holidays and paid sick/personal time. It can be grouped together as paid time off (PTO).

Typical for Long Term Jobs – Family Employed
Vacation: Offering 2-3 weeks of paid vacation annually is standard for long-term nannies. This time off helps them rest and prevents burnout, ultimately benefiting your child’s care. For shorter-term positions, vacation depends on the job duration.

Sick Days/Personal Days: Providing 3-5 paid sick or personal days is crucial for maintaining the nanny’s well-being, especially for minor illnesses or emergencies. For shorter-term roles, this varies based on the length of employment.

Paid Holidays: Paid time off for federal holidays is commonly included. It’s important to discuss and agree on specific holidays in advance.

Additional Benefits:

• Healthcare Stipends: Some families offer healthcare stipends or contribute to health insurance to support their nanny’s health needs.
• Mileage Reimbursement: If the nanny drives your children or runs errands, covering mileage at the federal government rates is the norm.
• Parking Reimbursement: Reimbursing parking fees, if there isn’t free parking at your home, is normal.

While paid time off is always a nice benefit, you are not obligated to give that for a short term engagement. We can accommodate a vacation block planned at least 1 month in advance because we will fill her time with another family’s request while you are gone. Our nanny employees accrue PTO. Their time off is arranged through Philadelphia Nanny Network as their employer.

If that is your request, we can make that happen. It means you would be charged for the time away and the nanny would receive pay for that time that you are away. What we cannot do is to ask the nanny not to work and then tell her that she will not get paid. It is not fair to prohibit someone from earning a living!

If you need to cancel your booking, we’d love a heads up at least 24 hours in advance.

If you give us more than 24 hours’ notice before your service is due to start, we’ll turn the hours you’ve paid for into credits. You can use these credits any time you want to book another service with us – they’ll be waiting in your account for you.

If something comes up and you have to cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice, we unfortunately won’t be able to convert your paid hours into credits or give a refund. The reason for this is because our nannies rely on these bookings, and we need to make sure they get paid for the time they set aside for you. We know life can be unpredictable, but we’re sure you understand.

Thanks for your cooperation, and we’re here to help if you have any more questions!

Since the nanny is booked and committed to you for all the requested hours, we do not double-book her in case of cancellation. This means she is relying on your job for her income, just as you rely on her for support. You will be charged for all hours booked, and the nanny will be paid for the full shift.

If you need driving, no problem. There is a section of our Services Agreement dedicated to allowing for this. It is a signed waiver allowing the nanny to drive your children in her car or in your car. If she needs to use her car, she will clock the mileage and you’ll be charged the current federal IRS mileage reimbursement rate + 2% service fee.

If you need medicine to be given to a child, no problem. There is a section of our Services Agreement dedicated to allowing for this. It is a signed waiver allowing the nanny to safely give medicine, according to your directions. It is always advisable to write out the exact instructions, review the written directions and leave that next to the medicine. When possible, premeasuring medicines can be a safety precaution.

If you want a nanny to swim or engage in water activities during care, no problem. There is a section of our Services Agreement dedicated to allowing for this. It is a signed waiver allowing the nanny to be around water whether it be a home swimming pool, lake or community pool. Of course, we would confirm the nanny is on board with the responsibility of caring for children around water.

Nanny: A nanny primarily focuses on childcare, engaging in educational activities, attending to daily needs, and fostering your child’s development. If your children require constant care, hiring a dedicated nanny is an excellent choice.

Family Assistant: If your children are in school for most of the day, a family assistant may be more suitable. They can manage a combination of childcare and household tasks, such as running errands, grocery shopping, light cleaning, and meal preparation. This option provides more comprehensive support for your home.

Absolutely! We’re always happy to accommodate requests whenever possible. We recommend booking early, as our nannies are in high demand. Please know that all of our nannies are rigorously screened, experienced, and selected for their warm, nurturing personalities, so you can feel confident in any caregiver we schedule into your request.

We can often accommodate same-day and next-day requests, and we also schedule care up to three months in advance. We recommend scheduling as soon as you know you’ll need care, as our nannies are in high demand, especially during peak seasons like holiday breaks and back-to-school time.

Yes! We must know the details in advance to allow for us to make sure we have a nanny with the skill and experience to handle any scenarios that may occur during care.

As for an agency over or instead of an online resource, with us, you have a human by your side. Our technology, processes and procedures have evolved to run smoothly and quickly as if using an online resource but the big difference is the easy access to a person.

If you need to cancel before the shift begins, please contact us right away. Because your nanny reserved that time exclusively for the requested shift, the full day is charged and the nanny is paid in full.

If your child becomes ill during care, your nanny will follow the care instructions you provided. Should you need to end the shift early, please know that your caregiver is paid for the full scheduled time regardless.

In the meantime, your nanny is equipped to care for a mildly ill child comfortably until you are able to get home and will stay through the end of the scheduled shift.

We welcome it all. Positive feedback, constructive feedback, everything, becasue it helps us support our nannies and continue improving the experience for our families.

You can share feedback in two ways:
Email your caregiver’s supervisor directly at Josh.Spector@nannyagency.com. This is the best path for anything specific, time sensitive, or that you would rather share privately.

Leave us a Google review. We appreciate hearing from families publicly and read every review we receive.

All feedback becomes part of the nanny’s record. Each month our Staffing Team recognizes an EveryDay Hero based on their experience and the feedback they receive from families. The honoree receives a gift card, is celebrated by the team, and we make a donation to a charity of their choice in their honor.

Your feedback makes that possible.

A nanny is involved in all aspects of a child’s life. From their emotional wellbeing and social development to their educational growth and recreational life, a nanny partners to help raise the child. That partnership deepens the longer the placement. Day to day, a nanny also maintains the child’s immediate environment, including their feedings/meals, room, play areas, bathroom, clothing, toys and belongings. They may even be in charge of their calendar and scheduling their medical appointments, hair cuts and classes.

A babysitter’s role is different by design. Because babysitters serve on a temporary basis, their focus is on supervising, engaging, and playing with the children in the moment rather than the longer arc of their development. They are responsible for feeding the children in their care and cleaning up after meals and lay.

Absolutely. Tell us what matters for your household and the job such as experience with newborns or training in special needs care. We’ll find candidates whose skills match what you’re looking for. The only limit is that requests need to be job-related rather than characteristics unrelated to the job itself (age, religion, things like that, keeps us all compliant with employment law) We will talk about what your family needs and then we’ll take it from there.

Providing health benefits is not required for most household employers. It is, however, considered a valuable perk and can make a position more attractive to experienced candidates.

• If our position requires driving, is it recommended that she drive a family vehicle or her personal vehicle? What are the insurance obligations for both options?
  • This is ultimately up to the family’s preference. Some families choose to provide a household vehicle for the nanny to use while transporting children, while others ask the nanny to use their personal vehicle for job-related driving and provide a mileage reimbursement. We recommend families contact their insurance provider to understand any coverage considerations when a nanny will be driving as part of her job. Your provider can advise on the best way to ensure everyone is properly covered based on your specific situation.
• If I hire a nanny, are we required to pay them for all of our vacation time?
  • Nannies receive paid time off as part of their compensation package. If a family chooses to take additional vacation time beyond the nanny’s allotted PTO, it is considered best practice to continue paying the nanny, as they rely on consistent income and have committed their schedule to your family.
• If I hire a short-term candidate (for less than a year), is it possible to transition to long-term?
  • Absolutely. We understand that sometimes the best long-term arrangements start as short-term placements. If you hire a nanny you’d like to continue working with, our team can assist with transitioning the role into a long-term arrangement.

First, we employ a team of nannies for corporate backup care, providing them with more work opportunities and access to benefits such as paid time off, healthcare support, group health insurance and a retirement plan. Individual nannies working for multiple families, managing them on their own, don’t receive these benefits. By working for one employer, the job becomes more professional, includes employee benefits, adherence to federal and state laws and nannies can dedicate themselves fully to their roles.

Second, this model simplifies things for our clients. Clients don’t need to worry about employment paperwork or tax liabilities, yet they can still benefit from the tax credit for child care without the associated tax exposure. Our goal is to make the process easier and better for everyone involved.

No, you only need to complete our application once. We can then discuss all the positions you are interested in.

We can help! If you’ve worked in childcare, even if not as a formal nanny (such as babysitting, working in a daycare, or other child-related roles), we can use that to get you started. You can join our Elite Nanny Program. This program is a great way to build your nanny experience. You’ll have opportunities to work short-term or temporary jobs, allowing you to develop the skills and experience needed for long-term positions. Many of our nannies have successfully transitioned into long-term roles through the experience and connections they gain in our Elite Nanny Program.

We discuss details. We’ll have a conversation to go over the position specifics, ensuring it aligns with your experience, availability, and preferences.

We make sure it is a good fit. Together, we’ll evaluate if the role seems like a mutual match for both you and the family based on expectations and requirements.

We present you to families. If everything aligns, we’ll send the family your profile and contact details so they can reach out directly to set up an interview.

We support you through the process. Throughout the interview, trial days, and negotiation of an offer, we’ll guide you at each step to ensure everything runs smoothly, answering any questions or concerns along the way.

We look at past experience. We look at your previous roles as a nanny, the ages of the children you’ve cared for, and any specialized skills you might have, such as handling infants, working with children with special needs, or managing multiple children at once.

Commute time is important. Proximity to the family is important for both convenience and consistency. We consider how long it would take you to get to the family’s home and whether it’s a manageable and sustainable commute for you.

We consider the family’s personal requirements. Every family has unique needs. We consider details like their parenting style, household rules, and specific duties, like light housekeeping or meal preparation. Matching these requirements with your strengths and preferences helps ensure a harmonious fit.

With our Elite Nanny Program you are able to start working almost immediately.

For long-term positions, the average time is usually between three to six weeks. However, some nannies have been offered a job within a day, while for others, it can take longer, depending on the family’s and your specific needs and circumstances. We focus on maintaining the highest standards in our screening process and matching process.

Your own responsiveness can also influence the timeline. The quicker you respond to our calls and engage with potential families, the faster the process can move. On the other hand, delays in communication might lengthen the time it takes to find a match.

The good news is that you will have the opportunity to start working in our Elite Nanny Program while interviewing for longer-term positions. We will help to coordinate your scheduling.

We love when that happens, and yes, you can, as long as you both agree to the new employment agreement. Let us know the details on how you envision this works for you and we will take it from there to make sure all the details of what you want and your nanny family wants are in sync. We’ll manage the transition, for you and your nanny family, from being our employee to being the family’s employee. We will discuss with you everything from job structure, job schedule to job offer and compensation details.

Yes! Philadelphia Nanny Network offers health insurance to eligible employees. Nannies who work 40 hours per week become eligible for health insurance benefits after completing their first 90 days of employment.

We would love to be able to say yes, but we can’t. Philadelphia Nanny Network positions can’t allow employees to bring their own children to work. Because this is a job where your responsibility is to have full attention dedicated to the children in your care during scheduled hours, bringing your own family doesn’t fit in that job description. It is an underlying assumption that a tenant of professional care is that work and home life are separate to the extent possible.

Good question! Yes. Private clients sign a service agreement confirming basic safety standards, and backup care families are vetted employees of established companies using their employee benefit. We also recognize that as an adult, you can assess situations and manage uncomfortable environments in ways children cannot, which is why our vetting of caregivers is so rigorous. If you ever feel unsafe or uncertain about a family we introduced you to or a shift you are working, contact us immediately. We’re available seven days a week and will help you handle the situation right away.

Driving is not required although some jobs (particularly long or short term jobs) may require driving as part of the responsibilities. For corporate backup care shifts, you will never be requested to drive children.

Good question because it is a mix. Families can make a request as far out as 3 months, which means you may know about your schedule that far out. On the other hand, there are last minute requests due to a changing circumstance. The notice is the same day or next day. And then there is everything in between making a schedule set a few days in advance or even a few weeks ahead. It will all be based on when the family submits their request. It is critical to keep your availability updated in the Nanny & Sitter: ReadyCare App.

Our guaranteed hours program is designed to give you a steady, predictable income. As an agency-employed nanny, you know your hours are secure. What you may not know until closer to the shift is which family you will be working with that day. It is the stability of employment without being locked into a single placement.

Yes, with a brief onboarding period first. For the first few months, we autobook your shifts so you can settle into the role without the added pressure of managing your own schedule right away. Once you are ready, we transition you to self-selection, if you want, so you have more control over where and when you work.

During your initial period with us, we assign your shifts directly so you never miss an opportunity while you are getting started. Our goal is to keep your schedule as full as you want it to be without you having to watch your phone waiting for openings. Think of it as us doing the scheduling work so you can focus on the job. You are free to stay on autobooking for as long as you would like.

The families you work with are counting on you, and reliability is at the heart of what we do. That said, we know life happens. People get sick and family emergencies occur. We handle those situations with understanding and we advise the families we work with to do the same. We adhere to all applicable laws and regulations around PTO and will always work through unexpected situations with you fairly.

IIt depends on your employment arrangement. If you are employed directly by a family, payment terms are determined during the offer process and spelled out clearly before your first day so there are no surprises. We make sure that happens for you. If you are employed by Philadelphia Nanny Network, payday is every Friday by direct deposit.

You are welcome to work for families you have connections with entirely outside of Philadelphia Nanny Network. Any family, however, that you were introduced to through us, whether through a babysitting booking, an interview, or any other interaction arranged by us or a colleague, cannot become a private client without looping us in. This protects everyone involved and ensures all arrangements are properly documented per contractual agreements. When in doubt, just ask us first.

Absolutely. We offer babysitting opportunities through Philadelphia Nanny Network so you can earn income while we work together to find the right long term fit for you. It is a great way to build experience, get to know different families, and stay active while your search is underway.

BUSINESSES – Backup Care

Yes, and we do everything we can to fill same day requests. There are times when demand is high and availability is limited, but we will always communicate quickly so your employee can make alternative arrangements if needed.

Absolutely. We will walk you through what is typical for companies your size, share what other employers are offering, and then design a program that fits your workforce and your budget. There is no one size fits all structure here.

We invoice based on actual usage, typically in weekly batches. You pay for what your employees use, nothing more. There is no pre-purchased bank of hours that risks going unused and becoming wasted budget.

We handle the enrollment process from start to finish. We gather everything we need from each employee upfront, including care locations, children’s ages, pets in the home, and any special requirements. Once enrolled, they are ready to request care the moment they need it with no scrambling in the middle of a stressful morning.

BUSINESSES – Staffing

Every nanny on our team has been rigorously screened before they ever start to care for a child. That includes background checks, reference checks, and an in-depth interview with our Recruiting Team. When we select a nanny to book into your request, we consider the age range of the children in your program, the specific nature of the shift, and the nanny’s relevant experience. You are never getting someone pulled from a generic roster.

Yes! We will need to confirm that the adjustment works for the nanny assigned to the shift but we work to be sure you have the coverage you need with a nanny who can fill that need.

Our Staffing Team is available by phone and email seven days a week. (see general FAQs for hours) For ongoing accounts, you will have a dedicated point of contact who knows your program and can respond quickly when needs come up.

EVENTS – Business & Families

We offer event child care for children aged 3 months to 13 years old.

Absolutely. Event care can take place in a wide variety of spaces including conference rooms, ballrooms, and dedicated event venues. When selecting a space, there are a few practical considerations we will walk you through, including size, safety, and setup. Reach out and we will help you plan the right environment every step of the way.

When you bring Philadelphia Nanny Network on site, you are getting more than childcare coverage.

Here is what is included:
Fully insured services for your peace of mind and ours. Every nanny on our team is rigorously background screened before they ever work with a child. Our caregivers are trained and experienced across a wide range of ages and needs. We staff to best practices child to caregiver ratios so every child receives attentive care. A structured sign in and sign out process keeps every child accounted for from arrival to pickup. Age appropriate activities are provided so children are engaged, not just supervised.

Your attendees can focus on your event knowing their children are in experienced, vetted hands.

We recommend booking event care at least 60 to 90 days in advance, depending on the size and scope of your event. If you are working on a shorter timeline, contact us as soon as possible so we can assess your needs and determine how we can best support you.

Yes. Attendees may book private babysitting services through Philadelphia Nanny Network by contacting our Staffing Team directly. We are happy to arrange care before, after, or between event sessions.