Nanny Share Los Angeles: How It Works and Whether It Makes Sense
A nanny share is an arrangement where two families share one nanny, splitting the cost while the nanny cares for children from both households together. In Los Angeles, nanny shares have become increasingly common in neighborhoods like Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Santa Monica, and the Westside.
Quick Answer
A nanny share is an arrangement where two families share one nanny, splitting the cost while the nanny cares for children from both households together. In Los Angeles, nanny shares have become increasingly common in neighborhoods like Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Santa Monica, and the Westside.
A nanny share is an arrangement where two families share one nanny, splitting the cost while the nanny cares for children from both households together. In Los Angeles, nanny shares have become increasingly common in neighborhoods like Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Santa Monica, and the Westside.
How a Nanny Share Actually Works
Both families pay the nanny directly as their employer. The nanny typically earns more than they would from a single family (because the workload is higher) but less than two full salaries combined. Each family pays a share of the total rate, making it cheaper than a solo placement.
As an example: a nanny earning $40/hr solo might earn $32/hr in a share arrangement, with each family paying $20 to $22/hr. Both families save 35 to 45% compared to hiring privately.
Where the Care Takes Place
Most LA nanny shares rotate between homes on a weekly or monthly basis, or settle at one primary home permanently. Rotation keeps both homes from becoming permanent childcare venues, but adds logistics. A fixed location is simpler but requires more from the host family.
What Makes a Good Share Match
Compatible ages matter most. Children within 6 to 12 months of each other tend to work best since nap schedules, energy levels, and developmental stages align. Beyond age, look for similar parenting philosophies, neighborhood proximity, and aligned expectations on screen time, diet, and schedule.
Share arrangements fall apart most often because the families were not aligned on these details before they started, not because the nanny was the problem.
The Employer Situation in California
In a nanny share, each family is a separate employer. Each family needs to handle their own payroll, taxes, and employer obligations under California law. The nanny has two employers, two pay stubs, and two sets of tax withholding. Make sure both families are clear on this before the arrangement starts.
Finding a Share Partner in Los Angeles
The most reliable source is your own network: neighborhood Facebook groups, local parenting Slack channels, preschool parent communities. NextDoor and apps like Peanut also have active share-seeking threads in most Westside neighborhoods.
Working through an agency like Los Angeles Nannies gives you a vetted candidate and a structured agreement from the start, and we can sometimes connect families who are both looking for share partners.
When a Nanny Share Does Not Work
Shares get complicated when one family's schedule changes, one child's needs increase, or the share partner relationship sours. Build exit terms into the agreement from the start so both families can unwind the arrangement cleanly without the nanny being caught in the middle.
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