Nanny Contract Template

What is a nanny contract template?

A nanny contract template is a written agreement that formalizes the working relationship between a family (the client) and a nanny (the child care provider). This agreement serves as a legal framework defining each party’s rights, obligations, and expectations.

A nanny contract, also known as a babysitting contract template, defines a clear framework for the provision of child care services, including:

• scope of services to be provided;
• details of a child (e.g., medical history, allergies);
• safety rule (e.g., limited screen time);
• payment terms for a care provider;
• duration of a contract; and
• termination clause.

Nanny contract templates can be especially useful in either of the following situations:

• seeking a part-time nanny to back up parents for a few hours per day;
• needing a live-in nanny to stay with a family 24/7;
• wanting a nanny on an as-needed basis to cover during emergency situations; and
• hiring a full-time nanny while parents are at work, and many more.

The parties to the babysitting contract template are the client and a nanny. This type of contract does not form any employment relationships between the parties. Therefore, it cannot be considered as an employment agreement. A care provider acts as an independent contractor while rendering child care or babysitting services for the client.

Before drafting a simple nanny contract template, it is always better to check a care provider’s profile well in advance. Make sure that she or he has a clean criminal record, a first aid certificate, and a certificate in early education. Last but not least, always ask for recommendations from other families where a care provider had worked before.

How to create a simple nanny contract template?

Below we made a breakdown of the main sections and clauses to include in a simple nanny contract template. Without those sections and clauses, a nanny contract template cannot be a complete legal document.

Details of the Child

Nanny contract templates can be created for one or several children. A nanny or a professional child care provider can be hired only for a person below the age of 18 (depending on the state). The contract’s template should include the full name and date of birth of a child, as well as the following information:

• list of allergies (if applicable);
• list of taken medication (if applicable);
• any behavior issues or considerations (e.g., ADHD);
• full name and address of a medical institution where a child should be brought immediately in case of emergency.

Even if you are looking to find a nanny for a few hours and need a part-time nanny contract template, the information above is essential. It provides a care provider with all essential and vital information they should be aware of while taking care of your child.

It is usually recommended to provide a nanny with a valid medical authorization document. This document allows a nanny to adopt important medical decisions on behalf of a child once parents cannot be reached and there is a medical emergency.

Scope of Services

Another crucial element every sample nanny contract template should have is a scope of child care services to be provided. A nanny’s usual duties include general supervision, safety, educational activities, feeding, and cleaning. However, depending on a family’s needs, a nanny contract template may include additionally:

• cooking meals and snacks for a child;
• doing a child’s laundry on a regular basis;
• picking up/dropping off from a school or daycare;
• administering medication, etc.

While on duty a care provider is not allowed to drink alcohol, use any illegal drugs, smoke, or invite third parties to play or stay with a child.

Confidentiality and Safety

Since a care provider has access to a family’s home on a regular basis, certain precautions should be taken. A good example of a nanny contract template should contain the following limitations:

• Do not disclose confidential or any private information about family, their address, details of a place of living, friends, vacation destinations, etc.;
• Do not disclose any information about the child, including medical, legal, etc.;
• Do not share any posts and/or photos on social media or on the Internet containing partially or in full a child or a family;
• Do not invite any third parties to a family’s house without prior written approval.

A confidential obligation hereunder should remain effective even after a care provider stops working for a family.

Payment Terms

Every babysitting contract template should include payment terms. In other words, how much, how, and when a care provider should be paid for the provision of their services. The remuneration rate varies depending on the state and scope of services. For example, a nanny contract template California envisages a higher hourly rate for nanny services compared to Arizona or Idaho.

A care provider could be paid per hour, per day, per week, or as a fixed amount. Parties have to establish the exact payment schedule according to which the payment should be released to a nanny (e.g., every week, biweekly, or every month).

For a live-in nanny contract template, it is usual to include additional benefits on top of the remuneration. Those benefits may include paid insurance, paid vacations, or days off.

Duration and termination

A nanny contract template can last until a specific date, for a certain period of time, or indefinitely. The exact duration depends on a family’s needs and a nanny’s availability.

There are no strict rules on how a nanny contract should be terminated. Either party can end the contract by sending a prior written notice to another party. The parties may agree separately in the text of a contract on the number of days for a notice period. The average notice period in nanny contract templates is between 7 and 30 calendar days.

Signature

For a nanny contract template to become a legally binding document, it must be signed by both parties. It is a good practice to sign this contract in several counterparts. Thus either party can keep one of the contract’s copies for their own record. A signed written copy of a contract serves as solid legal proof in a court in case of a dispute.

Get a customized nanny contract template at Faster Draft

In order to customize a nanny contract template at Faster Draft, follow a few easy steps below:

1. Click the button “Create Document.
2. Answer simple questions
3. Select a document’s format—nanny contract template in Word or PDF
4. Make a payment
5. Download your personalized template