When hiring a nanny, you’ll quickly encounter the term “guaranteed hours.” This concept is fundamental to professional nanny arrangements and understanding it will help you build a stronger relationship with your childcare provider.
What Are Guaranteed Hours?
Guaranteed hours represent a commitment between you and your nanny. Simply put, it’s an agreement to pay your nanny for a set number of hours each week, regardless of whether you use all those hours. For example, if you establish 40 guaranteed hours per week, your nanny receives payment for 40 hours even if you only need them for 35 hours during a particular week.
This arrangement creates stability for both parties. Your nanny gains financial security knowing exactly what their minimum weekly income will be, while you secure their availability during your agreed upon schedule.
Why Guaranteed Hours Matter
For nannies, consistent income is crucial. Just like you, they have bills to pay and financial obligations to meet. A fluctuating paycheck makes personal budgeting nearly impossible. Professional nannies, especially those with experience, typically require guaranteed hours as a standard part of their employment agreement.
For families, offering guaranteed hours helps attract and retain high quality childcare providers. In competitive markets like San Diego, where experienced nannies are in high demand, guaranteed hours can make your position more attractive.
How Much Do Nannies Make in San Diego?
San Diego’s nanny market is particularly competitive, with rates varying based on experience, responsibilities, and qualifications. Currently, nannies in San Diego typically earn between $35 to $45 per hour, with guaranteed hours playing a significant role in their overall compensation package.
When calculating how much nannies make in San Diego annually, guaranteed hours provide a clear baseline. A nanny with 40 guaranteed hours at $40 per hour would earn approximately $83,200 annually before taxes, regardless of any weeks where you might need fewer hours of care.
How Guaranteed Hours Work in Practice
Let’s explore a practical example:
You hire a nanny for 40 guaranteed hours weekly (Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm) at $30 per hour. This means your nanny’s baseline weekly pay is $1,200.
If grandparents visit and take the children for a day, your nanny still receives payment for that day.
If you work from home one day and release your nanny early, they still receive their full guaranteed hours.
If you go on vacation without your nanny, they still receive their guaranteed weekly pay.
However, guaranteed hours apply specifically to your agreed upon schedule. If your nanny works beyond their guaranteed hours or outside their normal schedule, those additional hours require separate payment, including overtime for any hours over 40 in a workweek.
Guaranteed Hours vs. Paid Time Off
It’s important to distinguish between guaranteed hours and paid time off (PTO). Guaranteed hours apply when you choose not to use your nanny’s services during their regular schedule. PTO applies when your nanny chooses not to work during their regular schedule.
If your nanny calls in sick or takes vacation days, these absences count against their PTO allowance, not their guaranteed hours. Once their PTO is exhausted, any additional time off would typically be unpaid.
Including Guaranteed Hours in Your Nanny Contract
A clear, detailed nanny contract is essential for a successful employment relationship. Your guaranteed hours agreement should specifically address:
The exact number of guaranteed hours per week
Your nanny’s regular schedule
How additional hours and overtime will be calculated
What responsibilities, if any, might be expected during paid but not worked guaranteed hours
How guaranteed hours interact with PTO and holidays
The Investment Perspective
Some families initially view guaranteed hours as paying for services not received. However, it’s better understood as an investment in consistency, reliability, and peace of mind. The small amount paid for occasionally unused hours is minimal compared to the value of a stable, professional childcare arrangement.
By offering guaranteed hours, you’re not just complying with industry standards, you’re creating a foundation for a respectful, professional relationship with the person caring for your most precious family members.
Guaranteed hours represent a modern, professional approach to nanny employment. They acknowledge that your nanny’s time and financial security are valuable, just as your childcare needs are valuable. By building this mutual respect into your employment relationship from the beginning, you create a stronger foundation for excellent childcare that benefits everyone involved, especially your children.
