What to Include in a Nanny Contract

Key Areas to Cover

Employment Terms: Duration, schedule, and any trial period.
Pay & Benefits: Monthly salary, bonuses, leaves, and other perks.
Childcare Details: Routines, house rules, and safety procedures.
Exit Terms: Notice periods, termination rules, and final payments.

Basic Employment Terms

1. Contact Information

Include accurate details for both the family and the nanny:

Family Details	Nanny Details
Full names of all adult family members	Nanny’s legal name
Home address (and work location, if different)	Current address
Primary phone numbers (mobile, home, and/or work)	Primary and emergency phone numbers
Email addresses	Email address
Emergency contacts	Emergency contacts

Tip: Also consider collecting Aadhaar or other valid ID information for record-keeping and background verification.

2. Work Period and Trial Phase

Clearly outline the length of employment and any probationary (trial) period. A typical trial period may be 15–30 days in Bangalore, giving both parties time to evaluate compatibility.

Start and end dates (if it’s a temporary role)
Trial period duration and criteria for successful completion
Transition terms from trial phase to permanent employment

3. Work Schedule Type

Avoid miscommunication by being explicit about the daily or weekly schedule. In Bangalore, some families prefer part-time nannies who come for specific hours, while others need a full-time or even live-in nanny.

Schedule Component	Details to Include
Employment Status	Full-time or part-time
Living Arrangement	Live-in or live-out
Regular Hours	Core working hours (e.g., 9 AM–6 PM)
Overtime Policy	Extra pay rate (if applicable)
Schedule Changes	Process and notice for any modifications

Annual or semi-annual reviews can be specified to account for schedule changes (e.g., child joining a new school, a new baby in the family, etc.).

Pay and Benefits

1. Pay Rate

Unlike certain Western markets, nanny fees in Bangalore are usually monthly salaries rather than an hourly wage. The exact amount depends on the nanny’s experience, qualifications, and whether they are live-in or live-out.

Typical Range (Full-Time, Live-Out): ₹15,000–₹25,000 per month
For Specialized Services (Newborn Care, Multiple Kids): ₹20,000–₹35,000+ per month

If the nanny is live-in, families often provide room and board plus a slightly lower base salary or an additional allowance.

2. Payment Details

Clearly outline:

Payment Schedule: Usually monthly (e.g., by the 5th of every month).
Payment Method: Bank transfer, UPI (e.g., Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm), or cash.
Bonus or Festival Allowances: Some families offer a bonus during major festivals like Deepavali or on completion of one year.

Important: Domestic work in India is largely unregulated, so there is no formal requirement to deduct taxes (like TDS) in most nanny arrangements. However, clarify all payment terms in writing to avoid confusion.

3. Leave and Holiday Benefits

Paid leave is not legally mandated for domestic workers in all parts of India, but offering a fair leave policy is considered good practice and helps retain quality caregivers.

Common allowances might include:

Annual Leave: 10–15 days of paid leave per year.
Sick Leave: 5–7 days of paid sick leave.
Festival/Holiday Leave: Major holidays such as Deepavali, Dussehra, Christmas, and Independence Day.

Discuss whether any unutilized leave can be encashed or carried forward. Also clarify maternity leave or any extended leave (for example, if the nanny goes back to their hometown).

Additional Perks: Some families may offer a meal allowance, coverage for local transport (bus pass or auto/taxi reimbursement), or partial medical insurance coverage.

Child Care Rules and Safety

1. Daily Schedule

Detail the day’s routine:

Morning activities: Bathing, breakfast, prepping for school.
Playtime or educational activities (indoors or outdoors).
Lunch and rest/nap time.
Evening snack/playtime.
Limited screen time guidelines.

2. Emergency Plans

Bangalore is generally safe, but traffic congestion and medical emergencies can happen anywhere. Clearly define:

Emergency Type	Protocol
Medical	Preferred hospital/clinic, who to contact first
Fire/Accidents	Evacuation routes from the home, local police station/hotline
Minor Incidents	Immediately inform parents and keep basic first-aid knowledge

CPR/First Aid Certification is highly recommended. Some local training programs or hospitals (e.g., Red Cross, St John’s) offer short courses.

3. House Rules

Specify boundaries and day-to-day expectations:

Screen Time: Approved content and device usage.
Food and Hygiene: Kitchen use, dietary restrictions, cleanliness standards.
Visitors and Outings: Whether the nanny can host visitors or take the child outside.
Safety Practices: Locking doors, not allowing strangers in, emergency contact readiness.

Contract End and Problem-Solving

1. Notice and Termination Rules

Define how much notice each party should give before ending the arrangement:

Family: 2–4 weeks’ notice if no major violation has occurred.
Nanny: 1–2 weeks’ notice or as mutually agreed.

Immediate termination may be justified for serious reasons, such as child endangerment, misconduct, or repeated violation of contract terms.

2. Final Payment Details

When ending the arrangement:

Payment Timeline: Typically within 2–3 days of termination or the final working day.
Unused Leave: Whether it is paid out or forfeited.
Severance: Not a common practice in India’s unorganized sector, but some families offer 1–2 weeks of extra pay if the nanny has been employed long-term.

3. Resolving Disputes

Should disagreements arise:

Direct Discussion: Try to resolve issues within a set timeframe (e.g., one week).
Mediation: Involve a trusted third party—this could be a family friend, community leader, or a local mediation center.
Legal Recourse: As a last resort, disputes may be taken to local civil courts under general contract law.

Confidentiality Clause: Families often share sensitive information (e.g., addresses, personal schedules). A mutual agreement to keep such information private, even after employment ends, is advisable.

Summary

A well-structured nanny contract in Bangalore ensures:

Clear communication of job scope and compensation.
Professional conduct and understanding of house rules.
Defined exit terms to protect both parties.

Main Points to Cover

Component	Key Details
Employment Terms	Work duration, schedule, trial period
Compensation	Monthly salary, payment method, leaves, holiday policy
Childcare Details	Daily routines, safety procedures, house rules
Exit Strategy	Notice period, final payment, dispute resolution

While not mandated by Indian law, a written contract is a best practice that benefits both the nanny and the family by laying out roles and responsibilities clearly.

Help and Services

Nanny Agencies/Platforms: Platforms such as Supernan, or Klay often provide pre-verified candidates.
Local Lawyers: For detailed contracts or if you need guidance on specific legal aspects.
Domestic Workers’ Groups: Organizations like the National Domestic Workers’ Movement can offer guidelines or updates on local practices.

Tip: Always keep a signed copy of the contract for both parties, review it every few months, and use it as a reference if any disputes or changes arise.

By investing time in creating a thorough, Bangalore-specific nanny contract, you establish a stable and transparent work environment—leading to higher job satisfaction for nannies and peace of mind for families.