What's the downside of having a nanny?

A nanny sitting on the floor reading a book with a baby in her lap and an infant by her side

Hiring a nanny is a great way to secure continuous childcare, but it can have some disadvantages. Working with a reputable agency like Sommet Nannies can help iron out any issues and ensure you enjoy a wonderful working relationship with your nanny.

  1. What's the downside of having a nanny?

    a) Reduced interaction with other children

    b) Lack of privacy

    c) Employer responsibilities

  2. How to create a good working relationship with your nanny

1) What's the downside of having a nanny?

While you're quite right to be excited about welcoming a nanny into your home, it’s important to be aware of potential downsides that may become apparent down the road.

a) Reduced interaction with other children

Compared to daycare centers and baby-sitters, nannies may not be able to provide your children with the same opportunities to interact with their peers. Make sure your nanny is on board with attending playdates and children's groups to ensure your little ones don't miss out on these valuable chances to socialize.

b) Lack of privacy

Employing a nanny requires parents to be open to having a third party in their home for many hours each day, sometimes unattended. Over time you’ll develop a relaxed and trusting working relationship, but it can feel awkward at first. During this 'getting to know you' phase, take the time to regularly catch up with your nanny and make sure you’re both respecting any previously agreed-upon boundaries.

c) Employer responsibilities

Hiring a nanny isn't always as simple as you might think. By adding a staff member to your household, you’re becoming an employer—one who must adhere to all the responsibilities that entails. For example, you will need to sign a contract of employment and meet your tax responsibilities.

If this prospect makes you nervous, please know that hiring a nanny through an agency protects parents against many potential legal issues. At Sommet Nannies, our experienced agency staff has a clear understanding of employment law and can help you navigate the hiring process.

2) How to create a good working relationship with your nanny

A healthy nanny-employer relationship is based on open communication and clear boundaries and expectations. Appreciate what your nanny does well, and tactfully tackle any small issues before they become big problems.

For many parents, hiring a nanny is their first time employing someone. By working with a reputable, high-caliber nanny agency like Sommet Nannies, you can count on our team guiding you every step of the way. We pride ourselves on our ability to match families with just the right nannies, as our many endorsements from long-term clients can attest!


Welcome to Sommet Nannies, a nanny agency with presence in Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, New York, and nationwide. We help busy families find dedicated and caring college-educated nannies.

●      If you enjoyed this article, you might also like 'How to know if a nanny is safe?'

●      If you’re a family interested in learning more about our nanny services, head over here.

●      If you’re a nanny looking for a new family to work with, you can apply to become a Sommet Nanny.

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