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 need your nanny's:
- Bank name — Wells Fargo, Chase, Bank of America, etc.
- Routing number — 9 digits, identifies the bank
- Account number — Identifies your nanny's specific account
- Account type — Checking or savings
Your nanny can find this information on:
- A voided check (routing and account numbers printed at the bottom)
- Their bank's mobile app or website
- Their bank statements
Setting Up Direct Deposit with NannyKeeper
Step 1: Gather Information
Have your nanny provide their bank details. We recommend using the NannyKeeper employee portal—they can enter their own information securely.
Step 2: Enter Bank Details
In NannyKeeper:
- Go to your employee's profile
- Click "Payment Settings"
- Enter the routing number, account number, and account type
- Save
Step 3: Verify the Account
Bank accounts are verified automatically when added—no micro-deposits or waiting period. You can run direct deposit on the next pay cycle.
Step 4: Run Payroll
Once verified, select "Direct Deposit" as the payment method when you run payroll. Funds will transfer automatically.
Timing and Processing
| When You Submit | When Funds Arrive |
|---|---|
| Monday | Wednesday |
| Tuesday | Thursday |
| Wednesday | Friday |
| Thursday | Monday |
| Friday | Tuesday/Wednesday |
Weekends and bank holidays add extra days. Plan accordingly for holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Direct Deposit vs. Other Methods
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Direct deposit | Automatic, reliable, professional | 2-3 day processing |
| Paper check | Immediate | Inconvenient, can be lost |
| Venmo/PayPal | Instant | No payroll integration, fees |
| Cash | Immediate | No records, easy to lose |
Direct deposit is the professional standard for household employment.
Security Considerations
Your nanny's information is protected:
- Bank details are encrypted at rest and in transit
- NannyKeeper uses bank-level security
- Only authorized users can view account information
- We never share data with third parties
Verify the source:
- Never enter bank info into unencrypted forms
- Only use established payroll services
- Be wary of requests to change bank info (could be fraud)
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
| Service | Direct Deposit Cost |
|---|---|
| NannyKeeper Plus | $6/transfer |
| NannyKeeper Starter | $8/transfer |
| HomePay | Included |
| Poppins | Included |
| GTM | Included |
| SurePayroll | Included |
| Manual checks | Free (but inconvenient) |
NannyKeeper Plus includes direct deposit at $6/transfer—$2 less per transfer than Starter.
Getting Started
Ready to set up direct deposit?
- Sign up for NannyKeeper
- Add your nanny's information
- Have them enter bank details through the employee portal
- Run your first direct deposit payroll
No more check-writing, no more bank trips. Just easy, automatic payments.
Ready to simplify nanny taxes?
NannyKeeper handles the calculations, deadlines, and paperwork so you can focus on your family.