First-day checklist for new nanny jobs

These four are non-negotiable. If the family balks on any of them — especially the W-2 paperwork — pause and have the conversation before your first shift, not after.

• Signed contract

  Even a one-page agreement covering hours, rate, overtime, paid time off, sick pay, holiday pay, and notice period. Our free contract builder has state-specific templates.

• W-4 filled out

  The federal tax withholding form. The family should hand you one. If they don't, that's a yellow flag — they may not be set up for legal payroll yet.

• Direct deposit set up

  Faster and more reliable than a check. If the family uses NannyKeeper, you'll link your bank once through Stripe and never think about it again.

• Schedule confirmed in writing

  Hours per week, specific days, start and end times. "I'll text you" is not a schedule.

The boring-but-critical info. Get it on day one so you're never scrambling for a Wi-Fi password mid-tantrum.

• How to get into the house

  Key, garage code, lockbox, or smart-lock combo.

• Wi-Fi password

  And which network is for guests vs. the family.

• Emergency contacts

  Both parents, pediatrician, nearest neighbor, and one out-of-area contact in case of a regional event.

• Medical info for each child

  Allergies, medications and dosing, doctor's office, preferred hospital.

• Insurance card location

  In case you need to go to the ER. Snap a photo of the front and back to your phone.

• Where kids' clothes, snacks, and gear live

  Faster than asking mid-meltdown.

Kids notice inconsistency immediately. Mirror what the parents do; if you disagree with a rule, raise it with the parents privately, not in front of the kids.

• Screen time policy

  Daily limit, what's allowed, what's off-limits.

• Food rules

  Snack times, meal expectations, anything off-limits, allergies vs. preferences.

• Discipline approach the family uses

  Time-outs, time-ins, natural consequences — whatever it is, mirror what the parents do.

• Outside-time and weather rules

  Coldest / hottest temperature for outdoor play, sunscreen routine.

• Visitors policy

  Can your friends drop by? Can the kids' friends? Anyone the family explicitly wants kept out?

Don't skip the walk-through. The 20 minutes of overlap with a parent on day one prevents the most common day-one problems.

• Tour the house with at least one parent present

  Bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, outside, basement, and any rooms that are off-limits.

• Meet the kids before you're alone with them

  Even 20 minutes of overlap with a parent makes day-one transitions much smoother.

• Walk through emergency scenarios

  Fire exits, what to do for a medical emergency, what to do if someone unexpected comes to the door.

• Confirm where the first-aid kit and fire extinguisher are

  Most parents don't think to point these out. Ask explicitly.

Week one is the easiest time to renegotiate. After that, every change starts to feel like a request rather than a calibration.

• Hours worked vs. scheduled

  Track them in real time — paper, phone app, or our free time tracker. Mismatch is the single biggest source of nanny-family conflict.

• First paycheck landed on the agreed date

  If it didn't, raise it the same day. Don't let it become a pattern.

• Quick check-in with the family

  Friday afternoon, 10 minutes: what's working, what isn't. Resets the relationship before anything builds up.

• Bring up anything you didn't think to ask before starting

  First week is the easiest time to renegotiate. After that, every change feels like a request.

None of these are immediate dealbreakers, but two or more in the first month is a strong signal to start looking for your next family.

• Family changes hours daily without notice.
• Wants to pay cash to "save on taxes."
• Asks you to do work outside the agreed scope without renegotiating pay.
• Misses payday repeatedly.
• Won't put anything in writing.