The Nanny Trial: What It Is and How to Use It
A nanny trial day is a paid, structured observation in your home before making a hire.
Quick Answer
A nanny trial day is a paid, structured observation in your home before making a hire. Two to four hours is usually enough. Observe how the candidate interacts with your children when you are not in the room, how they handle a transition or difficult moment, and whether the children warm to them naturally.
Why a Trial Day Matters
Interviews are rehearsed. Trial days are not. A candidate can prepare polished answers to every question you ask, but they cannot fully prepare for how they will interact with a real child in a real home. The trial is where you see how they actually move, how children respond, and whether their presence feels right in your space.
How to Structure the Trial
Two to four hours is sufficient for most families. Structure it around normal activity: a feeding, a play period, and a transition (naptime, snack, or brief outing if relevant). Be present but step back. Give the nanny space to take the lead. If you are hovering and directing, you are not observing -- you are doing the job for them.
What to Watch For
- Do they get at the child's level physically? Do they make eye contact, use the child's name, engage with what the child is doing?
- How do they handle a transition that goes poorly (child gets upset, does not want to stop playing)?
- Do they ask appropriate questions about routines, or are they waiting to be told everything?
- Are they comfortable and confident, or visibly anxious and performing?
- How does your child respond by the end of the session?
Pay Them for the Trial
California law requires payment for time worked. See our Los Angeles guide to planning and paying for nanny trial days. A trial day is compensable work time. Pay at the agreed rate for the hours worked. A candidate who is asked to work unpaid for a "trial" can legally file a wage claim for that time. Beyond the legal requirement, paying for the trial signals that you treat the relationship professionally.
After the Trial
Share your honest reaction with your partner or co-parent the same day. First impressions compound quickly, and waiting introduces second-guessing. If it felt right and the children responded well, move quickly -- great candidates in Los Angeles do not wait long. If something felt off, trust that feeling and give your agency specific feedback so they can refine the search.
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