It is important that both families get along well and preferably have known each other for a number of years. If you go into this with someone you don’t know and they wind up being different from what you anticipated, then you will find yourself in a mess. It is best to have each party write down exactly what they have in mind and then sit down to see if you’re both on the same page. Make sure you write down exactly what your expectations are, what the pay is, what type of package you will be offering (i.e. sick days, paid holidays, vacation pay, health insurance), who’s house the nanny will be working from and what duties are required. Don’t forget important subjects such as discipline beliefs and care-giving styles. 

You will also need to make sure that the children get along and aren’t fighting all the time. If you have known the other person’s family and the children have played together previously, you will probably have a good idea of whether or not this will work. If this is a new family you just met, then you will need to give it some time to see how it goes.

Lastly, you will need to work out the pay arrangement to determine who is paying what. If you both only have one child and are using the nanny the same amount of hours, then it is logical to split the bill down the middle. If you are paying your nanny $15/hr, for instance, then you each would pay $7.50/hr. If one person has two children and are using the nanny more hours than the other person, then this person should pay more. You may also want to take in to consideration who’s house the nanny is working out of and what expenses there are.