Although it sure sounds like a cliché, the adage “It takes a village to raise a child” is very, very true. And for those who have the luxury of having a nanny, you know firsthand how much of a, well, helping hand they are. From cuddles to caring for skinned knees, a nanny isn’t just a caregiver; they become an integral part of the family. That’s why you might want to show your appreciation for the person who loves your child just as much as you do. But do you tip a nanny?
Here’s a tip: if the word “tip” trips you up (but you still want to financially reward your nanny), you can brand the gift as a bonus instead. That way, it sounds less like meaningless money and more like a well-thought-out gift that you truly want to give to the nanny.
Are You Supposed to Tip Your Nanny?
In a word: no. Unless you have a clause written in the contract that both you and your nanny signed, you don’t have to tip your nanny. But when you consider how much your nanny does on a daily basis, a tip might be well appreciated. That said, if you get a sense that your nanny might not want a tip for cultural or personal reasons (or might be embarrassed or offended), then skip the additional tip and funnel those extra funds into an end-of-the-year bonus or a cushier check.
But don’t let lavish gifts lead you to believe that you have to outdo others. While giving a gift to your nanny is thoughtful, your generosity doesn’t need to be extravagant. Gifts and bonuses should be meaningful and show that some thought has been put into them. Obviously, a car and/or $10K are not in everyone’s budget.
How Much Should You Tip Your Nanny?
Once you’ve decided that a tip is appropriate, you then might ask yourself: “How much do you tip a nanny?” The answer, again, is… it depends. “The amount that you tip a nanny should be measured in proportion to how much you appreciate your nanny’s work and how much you can afford,” says Candi Vajana, creator of The Experienced Nanny. “It’s not unheard of for families to give their nannies $10K or more; I have even seen families purchase cars for their nannies.”
Of course, not every family can fork over thousands of dollars, much as they might want to. So when a new car for your nanny isn’t in the cards, just know that extreme gifts aren’t the norm, according to Vajana. If you need a guideline, here’s how to roughly calculate it: “Most families in the U.S. will offer between two weeks and one month of wages,” advises Vajana. Of course, it’s a general rule of thumb, so you don’t have to do that amount if you can’t. “There is no way to calculate it because everyone has a different budget and values their nanny differently,” Vajana adds.
When Should You Tip Your Nanny?
Like many other employers, it’s fairly common to reward your workers with a bonus during the holiday season—and nannies are no different. But you don’t have to delay delivering the gift until December if you want to tip your nanny earlier. Remember, you can really give a gift to your nanny at any time of the year. For example, your nanny might have recently worked some super late nights when you were on work deadlines, and you want to show your thanks sooner than later. Or you might want to give an extra generous gift when it’s your nanny’s birthday. In short, any time is the right time to tip a nanny.
What Are Some Other Ways to Tip Your Nanny That Aren’t Cash?
Sometimes, you have to get creative when you’re short on cash. Thankfully, there are ways to tip your nanny in other ways than strictly dollars and cents that may make more sense for your family. “There are many other acceptable alternatives to cash like gift cards, spa treatments, memberships, or even concert tickets,” says Vajana. And if you want to give your nanny the world, some families will buy flights for them to go visit family or finally fly to France. Experiences can be absolutely priceless to your nanny and mean more to them than cash in a card.
For all that they do, wanting to give a gift to your nanny is a no-brainer. But keep your budget in mind when deciding how to show your appreciation. No matter what you choose to give, it should be from the heart… and maybe your kids, too. Says Vajana: “Gifts made by the children or picked out by them can have so much meaning.”