In a world where many mothers find themselves a part of the workforce either voluntarily or involuntarily, nannies are becoming increasingly popular among those wanting an in-home childcare arrangement. However, what happens if you do not need a full-time or live-in nanny, or if you are unable to afford the often high expense that a full-time nanny can often entail? Listed below are ten ways to hire and legitimately classify a nanny as part-time for both employment and tax purposes.

1. Join a nanny co-op or nanny share group in order to split the full costs of a nanny between 2 or more families. This allows the nanny to receive a full-time salary while working part-time hours for several families.
2. Create a contract in which the nanny only works a specified number of hours per week. The hours should ideally be between 1-35 hours per week.
3. Do you need a nanny for mornings and evenings but not during the rest of the day? If this is a concern, then hiring a split-shift nanny can be of convenient for both the nanny and the family.
4. Hire a nanny who only works on weekends but not on any other days of the week. This can be helpful for stay at home moms needing some time away or moms needing weekend care for school-aged children.
5. Ask the nanny to work as a mother’s helper. As a mother’s helper, the nanny would be present for a specified number of part-time hours while the mother is also present in the home.
6. Sign a contract to have the nanny work on a temporary basis. This could be anywhere from a period of a week up to a period of a few months out of a full year.
7. Hire an afterschool nanny who can pick up the children and then work until the parents arrive home from work. This tends to be one of the most popular arrangements for families seeking the assistance of a part-time nanny.
8. Setup a list of two or more nannies to work part-time hours on varying days or at varying hours. This is particularly helpful if you need help on an irregular basis.
9. Find a college student with summer availability and hire them by offering a flat rate for summer care. There are many students with childcare experience and education who are looking for this type of summer work.
10. Locate a full-time nanny who is looking to add extra income on an available basis and ask if they will offer part-time services at available hours. This is helpful for those needing occasional overnight nannies but not a live-in nanny.

Regardless of the arrangement that you choose, it is of the utmost importance that the part-time nanny be thoroughly screened and personally interviewed. A probationary period is also desirable, as it can help to further weed out nannies that may be highly qualified and professional but not a good fit for your family. Additionally, it is important to realize that most nannies, regardless of whether they work part-time or full-time, are subject to taxation and to take this into account when negotiating pay.