How and why to renegotiate your nanny contract for the new year

Is January the right time to renegotiate your nanny contract?

A lot of things come to an end in December, and a lot of things tend to feel like they start fresh in January (hello New Year’s resolutions!). It may also feel like a time to take stock of finances, paperwork, and other practical matters that may change at the start of a new year.

We’ve previously described the non-negotiables to include in your nanny contract, how nothing is static and that the contract should be updated regularly. So should you renegotiate your contract at the beginning of the new year? The experts at Smart Sitting are here with the inside scoop. 

1. Yes, update your nanny contract annually

If nothing else has changed, we recommend updating your job contract every year. However, this may not mean January 1. Rather, it’s a rolling 12-month period from when you first were hired.

This means if you started working for a family September 1, you and the family should look over your contract September 1 of the next year. Note any changes in responsibilities, potential raises for cost of living, or check up on promised retainer bonuses for extending another year, etc.

2. Also update your contract as need during the year

Once a year is a great check-in for your job outline and contract with a family. However, things may happen during the year that significantly alter the work you do for them.

The most common - and highly relevant - is when there is an addition to the family in the form of a new sibling. This can be an exciting and wonderful time, and you may adore working with a tiny infant, but it may also add to your responsibilities during a day.

Before the baby’s arrival, discuss with the family how they ideally see your role once the baby is here. Perhaps there will be a newborn care specialist in the house and your role won’t change for many months yet. Perhaps you will have more responsibilities with the baby but the oldest child is graduating into full days at school and after-school, so some of the tasks relating to that kiddo are taken off your plate. Regardless, it’s best to have this conversation early on and without stress, and update your contract (and perhaps your compensation) as appropriate.

This also applies to other significant changes, such as if the family moves or adds new large housekeeping, cooking, or other tasks to your day that weren’t there before.

3. Use the spirit of the new year for a check-in

Even if you are not due to renew your contract on January 1, it can stil be a good time to check in with your nanny family on how things are going. Especially if they have given you a holiday bonus or other gift to express their appreciation, this can be a great lead-in to chatting about how you’re doing in your role.

Using the responsibilities outlined in your nanny contract, you can ask and make sure the parents feel you are fulfilling your duties and give them the opportunity to voice any questions about how things are going. Make sure not to spring this on the parents, but give them a chance to have both the time and frame of mind to take your query seriously. You can tell them it’s part of your routine and ask if they have a few moments to talk. This will show them you take your professional role seriously and are thinking of them, which every parent appreciates. 

Overwhelmed by the idea of a nanny contract?

We get it. We have spoken to far too many nannies (and families!) who’ve worked for years without a nanny contract, relying on the hope that everything will go well so we won’t need it. But a job contract outlining responsibilities and expectations from both parties can not only protect your job role, it can also reduce the risk of conflicts and unnecessary disagreements.

If you want a nanny job with a real contract and a support system, but don’t know where to start, start with us! We’ve helped nannies and families find their ideal matches for well over a decade, and we’ll help you with the paperwork that goes with it. This lets you focus on being an amazing, dedicated, and satisfied nanny, on January 1 and every day after. 

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