What are the biggest red flags when hiring a nanny?

Reluctance to provide employer references who can be called directly, a pattern of short stays with multiple families, evasive answers about why previous roles ended, and resistance to TrustLine or background verification. Trust these signals.

How much does a nanny cost in Los Angeles?

A full-time experienced nanny in Los Angeles earns $35 to $45 per hour. Total employer cost including payroll taxes adds 10 to 12% on top of gross wages. A full-time nanny at $38/hr working 45 hours per week costs approximately $96,000 to $100,000 per year all in.

What should I look for on a nanny's resume?

Prioritize tenure over volume. One candidate who stayed three years with two families is more informative than one who worked for eight families in five years. Check that age-range experience matches your child's age, verify certifications are current, and treat references as the real evaluation.

What should a nanny work agreement include in California?

A California nanny work agreement should include the hourly rate, pay schedule, guaranteed hours, overtime terms (1.5x after 9 hours per day or 45 per week), sick leave (5 days minimum required by law), duties, confidentiality terms, notice period, and termination conditions.

What nanny interview questions actually reveal fit?

Ask scenario-based questions: how they handled a child who would not stop crying, a disagreement with a parent, or a moment where they had to make a judgment call alone. Specific past situations reveal actual behavior. Generic questions get prepared answers.

Do I need to pay a placement fee to hire a nanny?

Yes. Placement agencies charge a fee, typically 15 to 20% of the nanny's first-year gross salary. This covers candidate sourcing, vetting, TrustLine verification, reference checks, and the placement process. The fee is paid by the family after a successful placement.

Should I hire a nanny through an agency or a job board?

An agency pre-screens candidates and presents only those who are a realistic match. A job board gives you a larger unfiltered pool to manage yourself. For first-time household employers or families who want the process handled properly, an agency is strongly recommended.

How long does hiring a nanny in Los Angeles take?

Most families working through a placement agency in Los Angeles complete a hire within four to eight weeks. The timeline depends primarily on how quickly the family can schedule interviews and whether they have a clear sense of what they are looking for before the search begins.

Do I need to run a background check myself?

Yes - even through an agency, run your own check on the final candidate. For roles with young children, California's Trustline registry is the most thorough background screening option available.

What is a nanny trial period and do I need one?

A trial period (typically 1 to 2 weeks paid) lets both the family and nanny assess fit before committing. California law requires nannies be paid for all time worked, including trials. Most agencies recommend them for full-time placements.

What is the difference between a nanny and a babysitter?

A nanny is a consistent professional caregiver working regular hours as a household employee with a formal offer, payroll, and benefits. A babysitter is typically casual and paid informally. The distinction matters significantly for California employment law and tax obligations.

Should I use a nanny agency or search independently?

Agencies pre-screen candidates, verify references, and run background checks before families see a single profile. For most LA families, the time saved and quality of the shortlist makes the placement fee straightforward. Los Angeles Nannies charges 20% of first-year gross salary, paid once at hire.

What should I pay a nanny in Los Angeles?

Most strong candidates start at $30/hr. Full-time nannies typically earn $30 to $45+/hr depending on experience, responsibilities, and number of children. Newborn care specialists run $35 to $55+/hr. Budgeting below $30/hr significantly narrows the experienced candidate pool.

How long does it take to hire a nanny in Los Angeles?

Most full-time placements take 4 to 8 weeks from first consultation to start date. Part-time and temporary roles can move faster. Specialized roles like ROTA or newborn care typically take longer due to a smaller candidate pool.

Trial Day Guide

Nanny trial: a step-by-step guide for Los Angeles families

The trial day is often where a good hire becomes a great hire - or where a promising candidate reveals they are not the right fit. Here is how to structure one that actually tells you what you need to know.

Start your search Trial period guide

Before the trial day

Confirm logistics in writing

Send the candidate a brief message confirming: date, start time, end time, address, pay rate, and what to bring if anything (e.g., comfortable clothes for outdoor play). Confirming pay in writing before the trial removes ambiguity and is a legal requirement in California.

Prepare your children

For toddlers and older children, a brief heads-up helps: "Someone new is coming to spend time with you today. Her name is [name]." You do not need to oversell it - just reduce the surprise factor. Infants do not need prep, but you should have their routine written down to hand over.

Prepare the environment

Have the usual snacks, activities, and supplies accessible. Do not create an artificial environment - the trial should reflect a typical day, not a performance. The more normal the day, the more useful the information you get.

During the trial

Step back when appropriate

One of the most common mistakes parents make during a trial is hovering too much. A candidate who knows they are being watched will perform. Give them space to work. If possible, go to another room or another floor for a portion of the trial to see how they manage independently.

What to observe

How do they introduce themselves to the children? Do they get down to the children's level?
Do they follow the children's lead or impose their own agenda?
How do they handle a transition - meal time, nap time, activity switch?
If a child gets upset, what is their first instinct?
Do they communicate with you or only respond when you check in?
Are they present and engaged, or distracted?

After the trial

Set aside 30 minutes after the candidate leaves to write down your observations while they are fresh. Ask your partner or co-parent separately before comparing notes - you want independent reads before you align. Ask your children how the day felt, even if they cannot articulate it fully. A gut read from a 4-year-old has surprised more than one family.

If you are trialing multiple candidates, space them a day apart. Back-to-back trials make comparison easier and one candidate almost always stands out.

Los Angeles Nannies

Ready to find the right nanny?

Los Angeles Nannies has been placing experienced, vetted nannies with LA families for over 15 years. We handle sourcing, screening, background checks, and introductions so you only meet candidates worth your time.

Start your search Why use an agency?

Trial day questions

Frequently asked questions

Questions LA parents ask about structuring a nanny trial.

Does the trial have to be at my home?

Generally yes, especially if the role is home-based. A trial in a neutral environment like a park can supplement but should not replace a home trial, where the working conditions are closest to the actual role.

What should I pay for the trial?

At least the rate you intend to offer, or California minimum wage ($16/hr statewide, $17.28/hr in LA city), whichever is higher. For a 4-hour trial at $30/hr, that is $120. A small investment relative to the cost of a bad hire.

What if I decide not to move forward after the trial?

Pay promptly for the hours worked and send a brief, kind message thanking them for their time. The nanny community in LA is small and reputation matters on both sides.