A written nanny contract isn't about distrust — it's about clarity. Almost every conflict between families and nannies traces back to something that was assumed but never said out loud: how overtime works, what happens on a snow day, how much notice either side gives. Put it in writing once and you both relax.

A nanny contract is a private work agreement between you and your employee. It doesn't get filed anywhere — you each keep a signed copy.

1. The basics

  • Names and start date of both parties.
  • Job title and location — where the work happens.
  • Whether it's a W-2 employee role (it almost always is for a regular nanny).

2. Pay — the part to get exactly right

  • Gross hourly rate (before taxes — always agree in gross, not take-home).
  • Overtime rate — time-and-a-half over 40 hours per week for most nannies.
  • Guaranteed hours — the minimum weekly hours you'll pay even if you use fewer.
  • Pay schedule — weekly, biweekly, or semimonthly, and the payday.
  • How you'll pay — direct deposit, Zelle, check, etc.
Spell out guaranteed hours clearly. Nannies commit their schedule to one family and can't backfill canceled hours — so guaranteed pay is a standard, expected term, not a perk.

3. Schedule and duties

  • Regular hours and days, and how changes get requested.
  • Responsibilities — childcare, meal prep, kid laundry, driving, light tidying — and, just as importantly, what's not expected.
  • Travel and date nights — whether they happen, and how they're paid.

4. Time off and benefits

  • Paid time off — vacation and sick days, how they accrue, and who picks vacation dates.
  • Holidays — which are paid, and pay for working a holiday.
  • Other benefits — mileage reimbursement, health-insurance help, a phone stipend, professional-development budget.

5. The stuff no one likes to discuss

  • Notice period — how much warning either side gives before ending the job (two weeks is common).
  • Severance — whether you'll offer any if you end the role without notice.
  • Confidentiality and social-media / photo expectations about your kids.
  • A review date — when you'll revisit pay and terms (often annually).
A template is a starting point, not legal advice. Employment rules vary by state — for a high-stakes situation, have a local attorney review your agreement.

House's contract builder lets you pick and customize these clauses and generate a clean, signable agreement — free.

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The bottom line

Cover pay, hours, duties, time off, and how the job can end — in writing, signed by both of you. The conversation you have while writing the contract is worth as much as the document itself.