What is a Live-in Nanny vs a Live-out Nanny

A woman is holding a piece of paper during a job interview.

Live-in nannies

When it comes to the actual tasks live-in nannies do, they don’t differ much in comparison to those of live-out nannies’. However, there are a few key distinctions to take into account when considering a live-in nanny.

They live with you. Obvious from their title? Yes. But few families really “get it” until it’s their reality. “Having a live-in nanny is a huge help for busy families,” she says. “But sometimes families don’t realize how much they’ll miss their privacy.”

“Live-in nannies inevitably will see or hear very personal and private exchanges within the family,” Ziefle adds. “Because of this, confidentiality on their part is key.”

Communication and boundaries need to be strong. “Live-in nannies don’t go home at the end of their shift so boundaries and strong communication skills need to be embraced,” Ziefle says. Also, as Malson points out, most kids don’t understand the concept of “being off the clock,” making it tricky to allot true down time for live-ins when they’re home but off the clock. Because of this, she notes, it’s important to “have a plan in place to support the nanny’s time off.”

“Live-in nannies don’t go home at the end of their shift so boundaries and strong communication skills need to be embraced.”

— LYNN ZIEFLE, CAREER COUNSELOR, NANNY INSTITUTE

You need to have the space. According to Malson, families considering a live-in nanny need to make sure they have a “safe, comfortable environment for an employee to both work and live.” So when weighing your child care options, ask yourself if you have the room in your home for another person to live; and if you do, is it acceptable?

You have more flexibility. While live-in nannies do have set work hours (they’re not “on call” 24/7), they offer more flexibility than a live-out nanny, notes Fountain. “If you need to unexpectedly run out and the nanny is there, you can ask them to watch the kids,” Fountain explains. “Generally, you can’t ask a live-out nanny to come over unexpectedly.”

That being said, if you’re asking a live-in nanny to work when they’re off the clock, they need to be paid. While most live-in nannies are not required to be paid overtime, they have to be paid for all their working hours. Learn more here about managing hours and overtime for a live-in nanny.

Balancing a busy or fluctuating work life is more manageable. For families who travel often for work or who have non-standard work hours, a live-in nanny can be a lifesaver when it comes to keeping the kids’ weekly routines consistent, notes Ziefle, who adds that live-in nannies can be a great choice for “military families, hospital workers and first responders,” as well as other families with non-traditional working hours or who abruptly get called away.

What are the key differences between a live-in nanny and a live-out nanny in terms of work environment and responsibilities?

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