After-School Nanny

A nanny who works with children between school getting out & the child's bedtime.

The Role of an After-School Nanny

An After-School Nanny provides daily care to children, generally between the time they get out of school until the child’s dinner-time, bedtime or until the parents return home.

An After-School Nanny is a Nanny that specializes in providing care that works around a child’s daily routine, specifically their school schedule. As the name implies, this typically means the time between school getting out and the end of the child’s day, but it can also entail getting the child(ren) ready for school or weekend coverage. The schedule and overall time commitment expected from an After-School Nanny is entirely dependent on a family’s needs.

This role is primarily based in a principal’s home, with primary responsibilities including picking up the child(ren) from school or bus stop, taking them to activities such as sports or music, arranging and supervising playdates, making healthy snacks and meals for the child(ren), helping with homework, communicating regularly with parents and reporting any issues or concerns, assisting with hobbies and interests, managing other care providers, shopping or running errands for the family and taking care of household and personal matters as they arise.

A successful After-School Nanny will have strong communication skills, a high level of reliability, responsibility and patience, and will enable the child(ren) and family to find balance in their personal and professional lives.

Job Description

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

Depending on a family’s needs, an After School Nanny will have either completed their secondary education or obtained a Bachelor’s (B.S. or B.A.) degree. A Bachelor’s degree is typically a requirement if educating or tutoring children is a requirement of the role. If so, education is often focused on childhood development, education, psychology, social services or core subjects such as English, Social or Natural Sciences.

Experienced After-School Nannies will have 3-5 years’ experience in child care, education or family assistance, in a household, school or childcare facility setting. Depending on the specific needs of a family, experience in a specific area may also be required, such as personal service, cooking/housekeeping, management of other childcare staff, etc.

Note: An After-School Nanny does not necessarily need prior experience as a Nanny. In fact, many of the best Nannies start in related caregiving positions, like a Senior Companion, Family Assistant, primary caregiver, etc. Similarly, because this role deals more with general (compared to specific) experience, recent graduates or those who are at the beginning (or a transition stage) of their career often make an exceptional After-School Nanny .

SKILLS

Ability to communicate effectively with children, parents and other caregivers, using age-appropriate language, listening attentively and expressing empathy and respect
Capable of planning and delivering educational and recreational activities that suit the needs and interests of the child(ren). They should also be able to follow parental guidelines.
Ability to use creativity and imagination to make activities fun and engaging for the child
Should be knowledgeable and up-to-date on best practices and guidelines for child care, such as sleep, eating, hygiene, etc. and able to ensure the safety and well-being of the children at all times
Experience handling administrative tasks like managing appointments, booking travel, monitoring budgets, etc.
Ability to adapt to the changing needs and situations of the child/family and cope with unexpected challenges such as developmental changes, behavioral issues, etc. and modify their care accordingly
Willingness to do light housekeeping or organizing within the home, preparing meals, or other daily/weekly duties as necessary
Depending on a family’s needs, an After-School Nanny may be required to possess certain skills, such as a second language, experience teaching children or caring for individuals with developmental or physical disabilities, etc.
After-School Nannies should be calm and collected, friendly, creative, patient, warm, loving and kind
Familiarity with technology, including house systems (smart home devices/interfaces, HVAC, security, etc.)

CERTIFICATIONS / TRAINING

First aid and CPR are strongly encouraged in this role. Other professional certifications/licenses are not required, but an employer may prefer candidates who have certain educational backgrounds or other skills such as technology proficiency, physical fitness to participate in kids’ activities, fluency in a language other than English, etc.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities for an After-School Nanny vary depending on the parents’ expectations for the person in this role, the children’s schedule and activities, the number and ages of children being cared for, etc. Common duties include:

Picking children up from school and taking them to extracurricular activities or driving them home
Preparing children for school by helping them with dressing, grooming, packing lunch, and homework and driving them to school, athletic practices/events or appointments
Scheduling appointments on behalf of the children (medical appointments, athletics, tutoring, etc.). Also planning child/family travel and logistics (flights, hotels, car rentals, dining and activities)
Performing various administrative duties on behalf of the children (healthcare, academics, completing forms, researching and executing special projects, etc.)
Making healthy meals and snacks for the children or family according to their dietary preferences and restrictions
Performing light housekeeping or household chores, especially child-related, or errands as needed by the family
Organizing creative and educational activities and games for the children
Communicating regularly with parents and reporting any issues or concerns

ATTRIBUTES

Characteristics of a successful After-School Nanny include:

Warm and nurturing personality

An After-School Nanny’s character and disposition is by far the most important quality, since interacting with and providing a positive and healthy environment is paramount in this role. An After-School Nanny with a nurturing personality can foster the emotional, social and cognitive development of children by providing them with love, support and guidance. They can also help children cope with challenges and frustrations by being empathetic and understanding.

Organizational skills

An After-School Nanny should be proficient in planning and keeping organized throughout the day, both for themselves and to help the child(ren) stay organized as well. He or she should set clear goals, manage competing priorities and monitor the child(ren)’s progress, whether it is academic, athletic or social/emotional. They should be able to juggle many simultaneous tasks and bring consistency and structure to a child’s life.

Interpersonal communication

An After-School Nanny should be capable of adapting their communication style to different situations and audiences, whether they are interacting with children, family members, family friends, other caregivers, coaches or teachers. He or she should have a high-degree of emotional intelligence, be able to communicate clearly and concisely, be an active listener and be able to express empathy and respect at all times.

Safety-conscious and responsible attitude

An After-School Nanny should take full responsibility and accountability for their actions and decisions. He or she should be able to work independently and proactively, take initiative and ownership of their relationship with the children, and to always ensure they are acting in a safe and responsible manner. He or she should demonstrate integrity in every interaction with the child(ren) and keep the parents informed at all times of negative behaviors or issues that arise in their interactions with the child(ren).

COMPENSATION

Total compensation for an After School Nanny varies, from $35 – 60/hr for part-time to $60 – 125K for full-time Nannies that may be responsible for getting child(ren) ready for school in the morning or weekend coverage. Factors that command a higher salary include specific education, experience or training, the ability to work/be on call outside of normal work hours, being required to travel or live-in, fluency in languages other than English or the ability to manage complex schedules or projects. Components of an After School Nanny’s compensation may include:

Base salary

A fixed annual amount received for performing duties as agreed upon. An After-School Nanny’s base salary is dependent on the duties he/she is responsible for, the location of the family they support, as well as the experience and qualifications of the Nanny.

Discretionary bonus

Discretionary bonuses are variable amounts that are paid annually based on an individual’s performance. The percentage of compensation paid as a salary versus a bonus is entirely up to the employer, but for an After School Nanny, a discretionary bonus can range anywhere from 10 – 20% of total compensation. The most common reason for a higher bonus percentage (relative to salary) is to tie an employee’s compensation to their overall performance. It also allows an employer to set strategic goals during the employee’s annual performance evaluation, with the pay out of their bonus linked to the completion of stated goals.

Living expenses

A principal may prefer that an After-School Nanny lives in with them, either at their residence, at an adjoining accommodation on their property or within certain proximity of their residence. Reasons for this include the need for this person to be available off-hours, the importance of proximity to the residence or children due to various duties associated with the role (e.g., waking children up, caring for pets, etc.) or because the residence is located in a remote area. If a principal requires any of these living situations of their After-School Nanny, housing and/or moving expenses are expected as part of the employee’s compensation package.

STANDARD BENEFITS

Families with part-time or modest childcare needs may not be required to provide benefits to an After-School Nanny. Established employers typically offer the following corporate-style benefits (or a stipend to obtain benefits themselves):

Medical, dental and vision

Standard health benefits help employees stay healthy, reduce absenteeism and ultimately increase productivity.

Retirement savings account

401k, thrift savings plan or simple IRA, especially with employer matched contributions, shows your employees your commitment to their future.

Paid time off

PTO allows your employees to take time off from work for various reasons, such as vacation, sickness, personal matters or holidays.

Travel/miscellaneous expenses

Employers are responsible for expenses incurred when travelling for work or while transporting children. A family car may be provided for regular transportation, or expenses may be reimbursed or covered by a travel allowance or budget. If domestic or international travel is required for employment, accommodations, meals and miscellaneous expenses should also be covered by the employer.

OTHER BENEFITS / "PERKS"

Additional benefits are often included to enhance the attractiveness of an employment offer, as well as encouraging long-term employment. Such benefits include:

Education

Tuition reimbursement, scholarships/savings plans for those with college-aged children

Professional development

Encouraging and covering an employee’s participation in training courses, workshops, seminars, conferences or professional certifications

Health and wellness

Healthy food, beverages or snacks offered
Paid or discounted gym memberships or fitness classes
Access to wellness programs with counseling services, health screenings, substance abuse treatment, etc.
Life and disability insurance

Employee assistance

Financial counseling
Legal advice
Transportation reimbursement or allowance

Charity

Volunteer opportunities
PTO days for community service
Charitable match program

Family benefits

On-site childcare or childcare reimbursements
Parental and family medical leave

Workplace

Remote work/flexible hours
Casual work attire
Employee recognition programs, awards or rewards

REPORT STRUCTURE

An After-School Nanny generally reports:

Directly to the parents/principal(s)
To a House/Estate Manager or Executive/Personal Assistant
To another contact designated by the principal (e.g., Director of Operations or Administration of a family office, a principal’s Chief of Staff, etc.)

If other nannies, tutors, coaches, etc. are involved in the child(ren)’s care, an After-School Nanny may be responsible for regularly interacting with or managing additional personnel.

Have Questions?

Care When You Need It Most

An After-School Nanny provides essential support during the busiest hours of the day. From school pick-ups to homework help, meal prep, and evening routines, they ensure a structured and nurturing environment for your child. Their presence brings peace of mind, knowing your child is engaged, cared for, and safe.

Need dependable after-school childcare? Let us match you with an After-School Nanny who will take the stress out of your afternoons while enriching your child’s daily routine.

“Our After-School Nannies do more than supervise—they enrich, engage, and support your child’s daily routine. Their presence provides structure for your child, and they make the afternoon easier for the entire family.”

Adam Cook

Managing Director, Old State Staffing

Helping Families Balance Work, School & Home Life

Why You Should Consider an After-School Nanny

An After-School Nanny provides structure, care, and support during those crucial hours between school and bedtime. They help keep children engaged, organized, and on track with their responsibilities. An After-School Nanny can help: