How a nanny share works
Updated October 25, 2026
Short answer
A nanny share is two (sometimes three) families hiring one nanny to care for their kids together, usually at one home or alternating homes. The nanny earns more per hour, typically 20 to 30% above their solo rate, while each family pays about two thirds of a solo rate. Each family is usually a separate employer, so each handles its own payroll taxes, and a written share agreement covers hosting, sick days and what happens if one family leaves.
What the math looks like
| Solo nanny | Nanny share | |
|---|---|---|
| Nanny's hourly rate | $26 | $33, about 1.3x solo |
| Each family pays an hour | $26 | $16.50 |
| Each family, 40 hours a week | $1,040 | $660 |
| Each family, a year (52 weeks) | $54,080 | $34,320 |
Illustrative figures. Splits are often equal for one child per family; families with more kids sometimes pay a larger share.
Decide these before you start
- Host home: one family hosts, or you alternate by week. The host covers space, supplies and often a little less of the rate.
- Schedules: the share works best when both families need the same core hours. Extra hours for one family are paid by that family alone.
- Sick days: whether care continues for the healthy child, and how it is paid.
- Holidays, paid time off and guaranteed hours for the nanny.
- Naps, food, screen time and discipline, so the nanny is not caught between two rulebooks.
- Notice to leave: commonly 4 weeks, so the other family has time to find a new match.
Taxes in a share
In most shares each family is a separate household employer for its part of the pay. Each family needs its own EIN, applies the $3,000 Social Security and Medicare threshold to its own share of the wages, and gives the nanny its own W-2. In California, overtime still applies to the nanny's total hours in a day or week.
This guide is general information, not tax or legal advice. Rules change, so check with a tax professional or the agency linked below before you file.
Finding a share on Nanny
Neighborhood Circles on Nanny are groups of verified parents nearby, where families post that they are looking for a share and connect privately. Nanny shares count as regular care, so booking fees stop at the monthly cap per caregiver, and the nanny keeps 100% of their pay plus tips.
Questions
Most families agree a share rate with the nanny, typically 20 to 30% above the nanny's solo rate, and split it equally when each family has one child. Hours only one family needs are paid by that family alone.
Generally yes. A nanny caring for two families' children in one of their homes is usually exempt from child care licensing, but the exemptions are specific. If care grows to more families or moves outside a home, check with California Community Care Licensing.
Most shares have two or three children from two families. Beyond that, care quality and the nanny's workload suffer, and the arrangement starts to look like family child care, which needs a license.
Sources