How many kids can a nanny handle?
An experienced nanny can normally care for up to four children, but this number depends on the ages of the children and the level of care they require. Babies and toddlers need more attention and may therefore reduce the number of children a nanny can safely supervise.
1) How many kids can a nanny handle?
The number of children a nanny can care for depends on the children’s care needs. An experienced nanny can provide exemplary care to up to four children, but this number will decrease if one or more of them has more complex needs.
A nanny must be able to meet the emotional and physical needs of every child in their care. That’s why it’s essential not to overload your nanny with too many children! Whether your family is expanding or you're considering a nanny-share agreement with another family, take a moment to consider if one nanny is enough to safely and effectively care for all of your children.
2) How many kids are too many for a nanny?
State authorities categorize nannies as informal in-home childcare and do not regulate the number of children they can care for. Your nanny must not be saddled with too many children, however, as this can create an unsafe childcare environment.
Consider these factors as you decide how many kids a nanny can handle:
The children’s ages, keeping in mind that toddlers and babies require more supervision than school-age children
The nanny’s experience level
Whether any of the children have special care needs
Whether the nanny can safely care for the children both at home and out and about
Whether the children's emotional and physical needs will be met by just one nanny
3) Can you have two nannies?
Your family may choose to hire two nannies should the need arise, such as when a new baby is born or several preschool-age children require care. Hiring two nannies also allows you to arrange childcare for more hours each week, especially if you use a split-shift system.
For example, imagine you have two school-age children, a toddler, and a newborn. One nanny would suffice while your older children are at school, but you’d need a second nanny when all four of your children are at home. You may also hire a nanny to help out on weekends. In this scenario, two full-time nannies could work different shifts to ensure your children have all the care they need at all times.
If you're unsure whether one nanny can meet your childcare needs, the Sommet Nannies team is happy to talk things through with you. We work with families of all shapes and sizes, and we know there’s just the right solution for yours!
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 ‘What to do when your nanny calls in sick'.
● 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.