Direct Deposit for Nannies: Setup Guide

Writing checks every week? There's a better way. Direct deposit puts your nanny's paycheck in their bank account automatically—no trips to the bank, no lost checks.

Setting it up takes about five minutes.

Why Use Direct Deposit?

For you:

• No writing checks
• No trips to the bank
• Automatic payment records
• Professional payroll management

For your nanny:

• Funds arrive reliably
• No check-cashing fees
• No waiting for checks to clear
• Easy budgeting

What You'll Need

To set up direct deposit, you just need your nanny's email address on file in NannyKeeper. That's it — your nanny enters their own bank details through a secure Stripe portal, so you never handle sensitive account numbers.

Setting Up Direct Deposit with NannyKeeper

Step 1: Make Sure You Have Their Email

Your nanny's email needs to be on their employee profile. If it's missing, you can add it right from their profile page — NannyKeeper will prompt you.

Step 2: Send the Secure Link

In NannyKeeper:

1. Go to your employee's profile
2. Scroll to the Direct Deposit card and click "Send Link to {name}"
3. Your nanny receives a secure link from Stripe to enter their bank details

Your nanny enters their own routing number, account number, and account type directly with Stripe — you never see full account numbers.

Step 3: Verification

Bank accounts are verified through Stripe's onboarding process. Once your nanny completes the portal, their account is ready to go.

Step 4: Run Payroll

Once your nanny's bank account is connected, direct deposit happens automatically when you run payroll. No extra steps needed — funds transfer on each payday.

Timing and Processing

Weekends and bank holidays add extra days. Plan accordingly for holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Direct Deposit vs. Other Methods

Direct deposit is the professional standard for household employment. Make sure to specify the payment method in your nanny contract.

Security Considerations

Your nanny's information is protected:

• Bank details go directly to Stripe — NannyKeeper never sees full account numbers
• Stripe handles PCI compliance and encryption
• All data is encrypted at rest and in transit
• Only authorized users can view masked account information
• We never sell your data to third parties

Verify the source:

• Your nanny should only enter bank info through the official Stripe portal link
• Be wary of requests to change bank info (could be fraud)
• Only use established payroll services

For more on running payroll smoothly, see our guide on common nanny payroll mistakes to avoid.

FAQ

Can my nanny split their deposit?

Not currently. NannyKeeper sends each deposit to a single bank account. If your nanny wants to split funds between checking and savings, they can set up an automatic transfer through their bank after the deposit arrives.

What if my nanny doesn't have a bank account?

Many banks offer free checking accounts. Your nanny could also use:

• Online banks (Chime, Current)
• Prepaid debit cards that accept direct deposit
• Credit union accounts

What if they change banks?

Update their bank information in NannyKeeper before the next pay period. The old account will no longer receive deposits.

How long does the first deposit take?

Account verification is instant, so you're just looking at standard processing time: 2-3 business days for the first deposit, same as every deposit after that.

What if a deposit fails?

Failed deposits are rare but can happen if:

• Account information was entered incorrectly
• The account was closed
• The bank rejected the deposit

NannyKeeper will notify you of any failures so you can correct the issue.

Is direct deposit required?

No. You can always write paper checks. But direct deposit is more convenient for everyone.

Cost Comparison

NannyKeeper Plus includes direct deposit at $6/transfer—$2 less per transfer than Starter.

Getting Started

Ready to set up direct deposit?

1. Sign up for NannyKeeper
2. Add your nanny's information (make sure their email is on file)
3. Send them the secure Stripe link from the Direct Deposit section
4. Once they connect their bank, direct deposit runs automatically on payday

No more check-writing, no more bank trips. Just easy, automatic payments. Use our nanny tax calculator to see what each paycheck will look like after taxes.