Do Nannies Care for Children When They Are Sick?

Yes and No!

As a nanny, one of the most important aspects of the job is the health and safety of the children they care for. But what happens when the kids you care for get sick? The answer to this question is not always clear-cut, as it depends on the severity of the illness.

Nannies typically will work with sick children if they have a cold, fever, or other mild illness. This is actually a huge advantage of hiring a nanny because unlike daycare, parents don't have to take off work every time their child has a fever or mild illness (which for many children is often!)

However, if a child has a more severe or contagious illness such as the flu, covid, or a stomach virus, a nanny would typically not work. In such cases, it is best for the nanny to stay away from the child to avoid getting infected and spreading the illness to others. Unless it is a unique situation like the parent is out of town, or unable to care for their child for some other reason, typically the nanny would not work in the case of more severe illnesses.

A sickness clause should always be part of a family and nanny contract and discussed ahead of time so expectations are clear when the issue arises! If the nanny is sick, they would typically have sick days written into their contract so they could take time off and not be financially impacted. We recommend adding 5 sick days to your contract, which means that the nanny will still be paid even if they are unable to work due to illness.

Ultimately, the decision on whether a nanny should work when the children they care for are sick depends on the specific situation. It's important for nannies to communicate with the families they work for and make decisions together on the best course of action. Clear communication and mutual understanding can help ensure that both the nanny and the family are on the same page when it comes to managing sickness in the household.