Long-Term Nannies

Positive, proactive professionals who care about your kids as much as you do. 

A nanny should do more than check all your boxes.

When you’re welcoming someone into your home—and into your child’s life—you want to know they get you.

We invest the time it takes to understand your goals, so we can find your family’s perfect match.

To kids, Adventure Nannies are captivating.

To parents, they’re peace-of-mind creating.

Only 5% of our 10,000+ applicants each year make it through our rigorous qualification process. The ones who do are true individuals—but they share some important characteristics.

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Adventurous (of course)
Lifelong learners—powered by confidence and curiosity—who inspire kids to be, too.

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Forward-Thinking
Progressive advocates who guide kids in their care to become active, global citizens.

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Bright
Strong, vibrant communicators who nurture creativity and help kids find their place in the universe.

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Professional
All-in go-getters for whom nannying isn’t a side-hustle. It’s their chosen profession.

This is a big-deal decision.

And we don’t take your trust lightly.

We search.

Your dedicated placement manager hits the ground running.

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We craft a personalized job description highlighting your family’s unique needs.

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We recruit within our existing network and screen brand-new applicants just for your family’s role.

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We engage in extensive preliminary screening to make sure you’re meeting with candidates you’re thrilled about.

You select.

We introduce you to a handful of well-qualified candidates.

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You choose whom to meet, based on in-depth profiles and a candidate’s personal statement.

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You get interview tips so you’re sure to ask the questions that matter most.

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You invite your top candidates for a trial run so you feel completely confident in your choice.

We support.

You have us by your side through the entire process.

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We provide assistance with compensation and benefits negotiations, employment agreements, and overall best practices.

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We offer help with state-specific employment and tax laws as needed.

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We provide training guidelines so you can onboard your employee stress-free.

When you’re raising an extraordinary human,
it helps to have an exceptional nanny.

“We can’t imagine our lives without her.”

and other kind words from Adventure Nannies families

Adventure Nannies found us someone who redefined what we thought a nanny could be. Every day we are so beyond thankful she is in our lives and guiding the growth of our daughter.

– Bay Area Family

We needed someone who could match [our son’s] high energy, fun, and rambunctious spirit as well as guide him in important early learning and artistic experiences. Finding the right person who fulfilled all our urban hippy specifications while juggling our full-time jobs and crazy international film production schedules was proving to be nearly impossible. Our son is so incredibly happy now and we owe it all to Adventure Nannies.

– The Jasper Family

Kristen is an amazing camp counselor, cook, teacher, cheerleader, and piano instructor to our 5 and 3-year-old daughters… We are celebrating 3 years of having Kristen as a member of our family.

– The Wright Family

Adventure Nannies are in high demand.

We’ll help you land your dream candidate.

Adventure Nannies does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability or handicap, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law. We encourage our families to follow EEO practices when interviewing and selecting candidates for their positions.

Hiring a nanny is an investment in your child’s development, your peace of mind, and your family’s well-being.

We invest our time and energy into our nannies’ success and believe our candidates ought to be compensated for their experience and expertise, and at a rate that equals the scope of role and support they provide to your family.

In general, you can expect to invest:

  • A launch fee to start the search (ranging between $ 1,000 to $2,000 depending on the minimum qualifications you are seeking in your candidate)
  • A one-time placement fee, which is 25% of the nanny’s gross annual compensation

Additionally, you can expect an Adventure Nanny to seek:

  • A minimum of $30-$35 per hour (rates vary with specifications of role, expectations, and geographical location)
  • Benefits: health insurance and/or healthcare stipend, paid time off, sick time, and other standard professional benefits

Other Support

Travel & Temp Nannies

Adaptable, flexible helpers who foster your child’s curiosity wherever life takes your family.

Private Educators

Creative collaborators who meet kids right where they are and empower them to become life-long learners.

Newborn Care Specialists

Trained experts who help care for your little one so you can savor this all-too-short season.

Common Questions

About Adventure Nannies Candidates

How do you find candidates for nanny positions?

Candidates find us through personal and client referrals, our extended nanny network, specialized training programs, local university networks, parenting groups and organizations, our website, networking, and word of mouth. We actively recruit for every family we work with and receive more than 10,000 candidate applications from across the country every year.

Less than 5% of candidates who apply to Adventure Nannies make it through our rigorous qualification process.

Can you help our family find a nanny who has been trained in RIE / Montessori / Waldorf / Pikler?

Yes! We often run specialized searches for nannies who are well-versed in many alternative education and childcare practices.

You may also consider candidates with a basic familiarity and appreciation for your preferred approach and then invest in a formal certification course for the ideal candidate if one is desired.

Please keep in mind that specialized searches often result in extended timelines.

Can you help us find a bilingual nanny?

Yes! Many of our professional nannies are fluent in second and third languages such as Spanish, French, Mandarin, and American Sign Language. We are one of the only agencies nationwide that offers specialized searches with language and specific education requirements!

Please keep in mind that specialized searches often result in extended timelines.

Can you helps us find a nanny who specializes in working with children with disabilities?

Yes! This is one of our most popular requests. We have many nannies who have formal training, certifications, and/or have years of experience with children who have a range of support needs.

What other household duties do nannies typically perform?

In addition to childcare, a nanny’s household duties may include:

  • keeping the children’s areas organized/tidy
  • pitching in to the overall cleanliness of the household (light housekeeping)
  • loading and unloading the dishwasher
  • running errands
  • basic meal preparation
  • folding/putting away children’s laundry

Many families who are seeking more of a focus around assisting, errands, cooking, or laundry title their position “nanny/family assistant” to better define the larger scope.

We help you create a job description to attract the ideal candidates.

About the Search and Screening Process

How long will my search take?

It’s good to begin your search at least four weeks before your ideal start date. The process can be shorter or longer depending on how responsive you are, availability of qualified candidates, and your geographic location. Our average timeline is currently 8 weeks.

What can I do to expedite the search process?

Families who communicate clearly and quickly tend to get the fastest results. For example, your feedback during the search process is vital to ensure the candidates we screen and present are exactly what you’re looking for. 

It’s also important to clearly communicate expectations and guidelines in your candidate interviews and employment agreement, create a plan for training, and provide plenty of opportunities for feedback and open communication. 

We guide you the whole way through.

How do you screen your candidates?

Each candidate undergoes a rigorous screening process, and multiple interviews with our team. We also check at least three professional references and conduct an online and social media screen.

Once you’ve extended an offer of employment, your new hire will undergo a thorough national background check in compliance with applicable laws:
● Criminal Background Investigation
● DMV Driving Record
● Social Security Number Verification
● Sex Offender Registry
● Civil Restraining Orders
● National Wants and Warrants
● Education Verification
● TrustLine Verification (California)

Is Adventure Nannies, itself, vetted?

We are! The nonprofit organization, Association of Premier Nanny Agencies, vets and supports nanny agencies in the United States and around the world. Since the nanny agency industry is largely unregulated, APNA members (such as Adventure Nannies) undergo a rigorous review of all documents, materials, and agreements to ensure they are operating ethically and within the law. We are also proud members of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and Entrepreneur’s Organization, and have won various industry awards including the Excellence and Innovation awards from APNA and have been featured in NYT, CNN, Marie Claire, and many other places!

About Placement

Is there a trial period?

During the interview process, we encourage families to have a paid trial of 1 to 7 days for each candidate. Longer trial periods are sometimes possible based on candidate availability, for additional fees

What if things don't go well after hiring my employee?

We make every effort to help you make the right hiring decision the first time around. We also understand introducing new caretakers to your children can be stressful for all parties involved. That’s why our team stays in touch after placement to provide guidance as needed on how to preserve a good relationship with your new employee. Often, employer/nanny concerns can be resolved with communication and counseling. 

However, for peace of mind, we also offer a generous credit offer toward a future search if things don’t work out within the first year of employment.

I only need a nanny for a few months. What are my options?

For placements shorter than 6 months, we recommend using our travel and temp services.

About Agency Fees and Nanny Compensation

What are your agency fees?

Our nanny placements begin with a $1,000 to $2,000 launch fee, and our final placement fee is 25% of the nanny’s gross annual compensation.

What is the typical hourly rate for an Adventure Nanny?

Long-term Adventure Nannies earn at least $30 per hour, plus overtime if applicable. There is no difference in salary for a live-in or live-out nannies.

What benefits do you suggest offering?

We recommend employers put themselves in the shoes of an employee when making these decisions. Specific benefits vary depending on the nanny’s needs and their specific placement. Common benefits include:
● paid vacation and sick time
● holiday pay
● medical, dental, and/or vision insurance coverage or healthcare stipend
● contribution to nanny’s auto insurance plan
● use of car while not working
● gas mileage stipend
● meals while working
● work cell phone
● 401K
● relocation assistance

We offer guidance on how to craft your wage and benefits package.

How do I handle taxes for my employee?

Your family will be the nanny’s employer, so you’re responsible for tax withholding. A nanny cannot be a 1099 independent contractor. 

We’re happy to introduce you to our expert payroll partners, HomeWork Solutions.

Why do I have to pay my nanny legally? None of my friends do.

The candidates we work with are professionals and expect to be legally employed by your family—the same way someone working for a business would expect to be employed.

It’s becoming less and less common for families to pay their nannies illegally (or more politely called “under the table”), as the IRS is taking more note of these infringements. Hiring a nanny illegally can often result in serious tax and legal consequences for families and also withholds vital protections for nannies, including unemployment and workers compensation benefits.

Additionally, nannies who are paid illegally are unable to verify their professional income and often struggle when applying for rental housing, mortgages, student loans, and auto loans.

We are always more than happy to talk to your friends and explain the risks they may be unknowingly taking on for both their family and their employee by neglecting to pay legally.

Let’s find your unicorn.

Seven Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Nanny or Private Educator

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10 Great Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Nanny

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Emergency Contact Form to Print and Display in Your Home

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California Household Employee Tax Law 101

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New York Household Employee Tax Law 101

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Colorado Household Employee Tax Law 101

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