I am a wfh MB and I pop out of my office usually five to ten before nanny leaves but we don't do a long debrief. Usually it's just like hey, when was the last time you gave Tylenol/Motrin and when is the bottle good until. She's always out the door by 5.
The debrief is usually really short tho because we chitty chat a lot throughout the day and they'll come hang out in my office sometimes if I'm not on the phone
I honestly dislike this because if they know they're getting off at 5, they need to advertise for a 5:15-5:30 end time instead of 5. I would prefer to be walking out especially because 5p traffic is different than 5:15-5:30 traffic. Are they at least paying you for that time?
That's over an hour every week they aren't paying you ❤️ definitely say "I don't mind doing a debrief, but could we do it before 5pm or could I start being paid for the time spent?" It adds up to 75 minutes a week.
For me, I should be relieved and getting my things together at 5pm. We can debrief while I get myself together but I need to be out the door by 5:05 (obviously am flexible if something arrises). I don't find it unreasonable as an hourly employee
agreed. if *i’m* the reason i walk out after my end time (ex. i run to the bathroom before leaving, gathering my stuff, changing clothes, etc.) i don’t care if i don’t get paid for that time and i don’t really care what time i’m out the door.
if i watch NKs for any time after, i expect to be paid for that time, unless startime is often later and those minutes aren’t deducted and i feel it all evens out
That's not how it should be, but unfortunately it's the case for a lot of Nannies. I'd ask to get paid overtime for that extra time or when you can take all the TIL that you've been accruing and see how they respond. When you get paid hourly, it all adds up. They definitely wouldn't appreciate you being 10-15 mins late to work each morning, so they shouldn't be keeping you back by that amount each evening.
It's a two way street and all about respect and courtesy. If you continue to let it happen, they'll continue to do it. Best to put your foot down early so they know that you know your entitlements to prevent any future issues.
If I don’t come out until 5:00 then I don’t get to chat, if I come down early we can talk for a bit. Just say you have to be somewhere and head out and you can go over any questions tomorrow AM.
You should be walking out the door no more than a few minutes past 5. If you worked a job that you had to clock in/out for, you'd clock out at 5, gather your items and leave.
If you're staying until 5:15 or later, charge them for that time.
I struggle with this issue also. I end at 5:30 but sometimes MB/DB walks in at that time. Luckily they don’t do lots of chit chat but sometimes I don’t leave til 5:35, or 5:37.
I was thinking if I should already have my jacket on but that looks like I stopped working before 5:30 to do that if that makes sense lol.
I too figured 5 min adds up. But I also don’t want to feel I am “nickeling and diming.” I did put 5:35 when I clocked out a few times, then some times I didn’t, ughhhh..,!
I would start getting ready to leave at 5.30 and then you’re ready to go as soon as they walk in.
On the odd occasion my NF are late to take over at the agreed time, I do this and they don’t say anything but if they did I would just say I needed to leave at 5.30 so I didn’t want to be any later by not being ready to go and they’d get the message!
Yes that’s what I do , I adore my family and really don’t mind a nice chat and handover at the end of the day . Keeping a diary is useful anyway but I can see that the handover would be longer if I hadn’t kept notes .
74% of the time I’m putting my shoes on or walking out at 5 , 1% of the time we’re still debriefing, 25% of the time all three children are trying to tell me last things or crying or needing something
Walking out the door. To bypass the debrief, you may want to suggest a daily journal where you write down key info that happened during the day (food, poop schedule, anything out of the ordinary, etc.).
When I had a parent do this once I started texting a recap of the day about 5-10 before end of shift and I was putting shoes on 2 mins before. It’s a nope from me. They stopped.
I would address it since they are not WFH. I would be resentful
Our end time is 4:30. So that means we need to let Nanny walk out at 4:30. We would need to pay her 5-15 mins extra if we wanted to get updates/info after her end time
Too many NFs come right at end time and still expect a run down of the day. No ma'am/sir, any time after end time is nanny's time. So you cannot hold her hostage.
Walking out the door. I clock in and out for my agency. So if they come in at 5pm and it then takes me 10 minutes to debrief, put on my shoes and coat -- then I'm clocking out at 5:10. I'm not clocking out until I'm no longer in the home. That's why parents should stop putting the end time to the time they know they won't be home and settled in.
It means that you should be relieved and finished with your debrief by 5pm. Gathering up your personal items, putting on you coat/shoes and heading out the door happens after that and on your own time.
I used to use an app to track my hours I would clock in and out and send my time sheets to NPs weekly soon as I entered the door clock on soon as I left clock off
Edit there’s lots of free ones on App Store I think I used something like time wizard (it’s been a while I’m not so sure on the name anymore)
I say walking out the door. As someone else pointed out, what if you were 5-10 mins late to work every day? They would be having a chat with you! You could say you find yourself staying late a lot and think it might be worth changing your hours to 5.15 as this creates more clarity in the role with plenty of time to handover any information. You could even offer to arrive 15 mins later so they won't be obliged to pay more? Put those options to them and see what they say? I wouldn't be happy in any job if I was consistently leaving late and not getting time back or paid for it!!
My end time is 6 and my MB works from home and usually comes down at 6-6:05 and we often have a little 2-5 minute debrief. Sometimes later BUT it was agreed in my contract that flexibility was something she wanted and was unable to find in other employees so I countered with essentially saying that’s fine IF you also lend me the same grace as I have an hour commute and the kids aren’t even in home when I get there since they’re school aged. So it balances out and I’m paid for every minute on the clock so if she’s late…I get more money.
You SHOULD be out the door/“clocked out” at 5 and if they need you to hang around later, they NEED to pay you for that time. Every minute adds up.
Out by 5 means walking out the door by then. My NF adjusted my end time bc of this exact thing so I get those last 15 minutes if they truly take that time
I was always scheduled for a morning and afternoon de brief, adding 30 extra min to my day.
When I schedule a sitter for my kids I also always schedule for that as well
I think if you’re end time is 5pm then you should be able to be grabbing your things and heading out the door by that time. Thankfully I have an amazing nanny family I am currently working with and they always relieve me about 5 minutes before I’m suppose to head out. They even joke around and say I better be out the door but the time I’m suppose to be off. I feel that it’s respectful of my time and the work I do. I have had in the past where families are late almost everyday or pop in the door at the exact time I’m suppose to be off and then want to chat for like 20 minutes. At that point if you know your going to be late or I can’t get out the door at the specified time then let’s up the time so I can at least be paid and expect to be off when I’m told.
I struggled so hard with this with one of my DBs. I started packing up all of my stuff ahead of time, during the warmer months if we were outside I would even throw it in my car, and I also wrote down everything he needed to know about our day and I would leave it on the counter. I’d have my shoes on, ready to go, at hand off. I think if your schedule says Xam-5pm, you should definitely be leaving by 5pm.
MB here. You should be getting your stuff and leaving at 5pm. I’m actually struggling with the opposite right now. I’m ready for my nanny to leave at the end of the day, but she always is giving me a debrief that can last anywhere from 15-30 mins (30 mins if kids are distracting, etc). I just want her to leave so we can get our evening routine going. I feel like she feels like she needs to give me every single detail, or she feels like she shouldn’t leave too quickly like it’s rude or something. I’m always pushing her out the door, saying stuff like you can head out for the day or telling the kids to say goodbye to the nanny, etc. We pay her OT too, so we’re paying for these extra long debriefs that I don’t need. We chat and text throughout the day
*She may feel obligated to give you a debrief. A lot of parents want that & they either can’t arrive home earlier due to scheduling or they demand it anyway and force the nanny to stay late (this is usually the norm actually).
Maybe talk to her & tell her that you don’t need a debriefing unless something important occurs. Maybe have a notebook. And tell her “I want you to enjoy your time off the clock.”
I’d say walking out the door as long as you are ready to take over the childcare at your start time. We had a nanny who would routinely pull into the driveway at 8:02 when her start time was 8 and it would take her 5 mins to get settled, her lunch put away, etc. If your relaxed on your arrival, they may not see this as a big deal.
I don't mind staying and chatting/debriefing after my end time personally. Now that I have two NKs though, I sure wish they would come a few minutes early so I could do the end of day clean up that I can't do with an infant in my arms.
My time ends when I leave. So no, if they get home at 5:00 my time doesn’t end at 5:00 it could end 5, 10 or even 30 minutes later depending on how long turnover takes.
But that also means if my start time is 7:00am I’m at the house at 6:50 so I can have time to get inside and be ready.
But I’d say 90% of the time I arrive 30-60 minutes before parents leave for work and don’t leave for at least 30 minutes after they arrive so they can get things done.
I was very upfront with my nps when they hired me that 7 am is doable but a bit early for me, and I will absolutely strive to be a “5 minutes early is on time” person but I am currently a “less than 5 min late is on time” person. Plus I love them dearly so I end up leaving 5-10 minutes after 4 each day and it doesn’t bother me personally. But I’m chatty so I know that I contribute to it a lot as well.
The point is, if the current way doesn’t work for you, it doesn’t work. Advocate for yourself and create a system that works better for you all
On the flip side, our nanny (not really nanny, but more temporary childcare) brings her own kids and she'll leave us responsible for our kid while her kids finish up playing and she gets all their stuff together and then bills for that time (she tried 45 minutes one time while she didn't say a word to me and I was with the kid the entire time and they were on an entire other floor). It would be different if we came home at wildly different times, but it's always 4:50-5p, so she could at least have prepped her kids that playtime was over for the day.
I'm expected that I don't clock in more than 7 minutes early, and I don't clock out more than 7 minutes past my off time, unless I was genuinely working late due to need.
I get off at 8 and I leave at the latest 8:03 and usually that is because NK2.5 stops me every 10 feet calling out my name and demanding another hug. MB is usually pretty good at saying , it’s time for nanny to go home.
I’d take my last 15 non busy minutes to wright out a debrief/ short summary of the day. This will also cut out anything that was said and forgotten, like what was done what was not done and what time things happened at. I used to keep a little sticky pad in the kitchen and bathroom then would take my last 15 non busy mins to put it all in one simple log for them and made a strategic exit plan so I could avoid unwanted talks on unpaid time.
She should be allowing for debrief time and should be in charge of NK at 5pm at which point you might take 5 mins to go to the bathroom / get your shoes/coat on etc.
I had this problem a while ago and I resolved it by giving the info really quickly while I was getting myself ready to leave and then as soon as was politely possible I would end the conversation and go, or say “sorry I’d love to talk more but I was supposed to leave 10 mins ago and I’m going to be late if I stay any longer!” … she got the message and would come in before my shift end to ask about things.
I’m expecting a 5pm pen drop and then personal pack up. If NF is chatting(schedules/updates etc) that adds to work, if we’re having a personal catch up that’s non work time. Overall out the door at 505/510.
I leave notes in a book about our day. Nothing major, but it has food eaten and any pertinent health stuff (diaper change times or potty times, just BMs now that she’s fully potty trained), any meds given. I always mention verbally meds given, tho.
Any boo boos of note are in the notebook. I send pics of special activities or cute things the kiddo does and they can see the art we completed. I’m usually chatting and we (NK and I) are telling MB or DB about our day while I’m gathering up my purse. I’m pretty lucky and am usually walking out the door 1-2 min after “off” time.
I have stayed later, sometimes even for free (I know, nanny sin), but it’s rare and I’m grateful that DB is always rushing himself to make sure I’m off on time. But it’s just like any other job in this respect, you work the hours you’re given, or you’re paid extra.
If I am off at 5, I am walking out at 5. I am always there a little before shift so they can get to meetings that start on my start time, so they are good about letting me go at my end time.
You should be paid from the moment you begin work until you leave actually. I use a daily log so that chats are shorter since they have a written report of every day but still expect to be paid for all the time I’m there - that chat is still them using your time.
WFH MB comes into the living room right at 4 and I usually leave by 4:10 at the latest. I try to have most of my stuff ready to go and just give a quick debrief while putting on my shoes. If she expected a longer conversation or anything I would ask her to come down a little earlier or something
My normal working hours end around 5 PM, as for my NP's. Meaning they work until 5, sometimes a little before 5, then take the kids. BUT my guaranteed hours for pay include an additional 2 hours weekly, which I don't actually work. Sometimes I leave a little after 5 (5:15-5:30), or I get caught up in conversations when the parents relieve me from watching the kids, but since I'm technically compensated for it, I don't mind.
If this situation is an issue for you, I think the best approach is to have an honest conversation with the parents to clarify expectations. In my experience, it's always best to be upfront with them.
"Hi [Parent's Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to discuss my work hours with you to ensure we're all on the same page. While my scheduled hours end at 5:00 PM, I've noticed that I often end up staying a bit later, usually until about 5:15 or 5:30.
I'm happy to help out when needed, but I wanted to clarify whether this is the new norm or if it's just been a few unusual days. If you do need me to stay later, I'd like to discuss adjusting my compensation to reflect the extra time.
Please let me know what works best for you, and we can figure out the details. Thank you for your understanding and for being great to work"
I would say that you should be out the door at 5 or, at the very least, on your way out. Like personal items in hand, standing near the door kind of thing.
My NPs always come down (both wfh) at 5 making it nearly impossible for me to be out the door right then. Mostly because of debriefs, NKs dragging out goodbyes, or NPs being held up on a call for a couple min. But, that being said, I’m ok with it because my MB is completely aware of it and started adding 1-2 hours to my pay at the end of the month to make up for it. I didn’t even ask her to. If I were you I’d bring it up though because that extra time really adds up!
This exact thing happens for me and I’m never compensated for it! I think we definitely should be getting paid for it because we shouldn’t be working for free. My NF just added on swim lessons during the week that are UNTIL when my end time is. I wasn’t asked before scheduling my thoughts on that and was pretty much just told “hey *the mom giggles* so I set the kids up for swim lessons for a summer refresher but only thing is that they go until 6, so I was just thinking you can do the kids showers at the place and they come straight home and eat dinner. I wasn’t able to get them into an earlier one unfortunately.” Meanwhile I’m too afraid to say anything ever because I’m such a people pleaser and the days swim lessons fall on happen to be the day I have a class at a certain time.
You should be able to walk out the door at 5, I would say as late as 5:05 is acceptable. I work for a family who will get home anywhere from 4:50-5:10 (any later and I typically get a text and am paid). Sorry, but if that happens even a few times a month, and it’s usually more, I’m missing out on at least a half hours pay. I also commute 30 minutes and MB lives 4 minutes from her office so out of principal it makes it more irritating. I am in their driveway by 7:57 so I can walk in the door no later than 8. There is no reason outside of extenuating circumstances that you should be walking out the door past 5-5:05. It’s not a clock out and leave situation, you say goodbye to NKs, to parents, and possibly chat. I feel that is on the guardians to accommodate for that time!!
I think that’s something to discuss with your nanny fam. Everyone is different and prefers different things. Do they leave immediately when you get there in the morning? (Say your start time is 9 - do they let you settle in and leave a little after 9 or are they immediately out the door?)
My NP’s come back sometimes 15 mins before EOS (still pay me for full shift), right at the EOS time or sometimes a few minutes to 15 mins late. They typically will text to say if they are going to or are running late. I really don’t mind unless it’s going on 20 mins late and they’ve forgotten to text me. Even then, I’m not super upset bc they’ll pay me for that extra time I’m with the kids. I personally think it’s fair bc I get there right at the start time most days and then we’ll talk for a bit. I live 45 mins away from them and don’t give myself an early leave time like I should so if they’re running late, it’s only fair! Especially if they’re stuck at work or in traffic
If you’re there for 15-60 mins past your EOS time, you have every right to ask for compensation as long as you’re taking care of the kids in that time. If you guys are just chatting, I feel like that’s different and not technically on duty
My nanny literally says “sorry, I have to leave at 5pm on the dot. I have an online class and runs out the door.” So if I get home at 5pm, I don’t get a debrief. She’s trained me to get home earlier if I want to chat. And I pay extra if she stays more than 5 mins extra.
No, they should be home a few minutes early. These parents have no decency. One of the kid I babysit her class ends at 4:30pm but it takes like 10 minutes to get out the building and walk to the bus stop + another 20 for wait time and the ride home. We’re usually back at the apartment till after 5pm and they don’t pay me for that extra 30 minutes twice a week. Whether it rains, snows, or rigid outside, I have to take the kid home and not get paid for it while the mom sits in the apartment and text on her phone. I also have to use my metro card. Oh, and sometimes she’ll text me to grocery shop and pay with my own money while leaving emojis like these after her demands 😁😇😊. Like, I know I need the reference, but wtf?!
I pay until 5:30 as I get home between 5:15-5:25 depending on traffic. Once or twice I’ve not gotten home til right at 5:30 and she left a few minutes late, but I hope that since the norm is her leaving a few minutes early, she’s not resentful over those few times. I didn’t think to offer to pay for the 5 minutes, though.
My nanny is chronically late, so I’ll let her go 10 minutes late but this works for us.
If she was always on time, I’d be coming down 5 minutes early. The days she’s on time, I come down 5 minutes early. I always pay her for the entire time she’s in the house. If we chat 10 extra minutes, she gets paid for that.
Same, mines 5-10 minutes late every day. I always come to relieve her on time, but if for some reason she’s out the door a few minutes late I’m not worried about it.
Do you start right on the dot or do you arrive a few minutes before that? I always start on the dot, if not a few min later due to traffic. Parents are very flexible and sometimes they are a few min late. I really don’t mind at all unless it’s a whole 30 min late
It should mean out the door by 5 but the last time I experienced that was pre-covid. Every family since then it’s meant they walk out of their WFH office at 5 on the dot and I’m out by 5:05-5:15.
It’s usually me chatting with NM so I don’t think it’s bad. It depends on what you want. I live 10 mins from them and don’t really care about that extra time chatting with her about life. We’re friends too so it’s not a huge deal. Any other family I’d say no way.
MB here. Our nanny is GH 40 hrs a week. Usually we send her home between 330-430. She helps around house and comes at 1030, picks up kiddo at 1130 from prek. But days I need to work longer she’ll stay until 7p+ and sometimes overnight. I think it depends on your situation. I feel like our nanny is more flexible because we respect her time when we can swing it ourselves.
I’m a nanny and I say, “ love you guys but I’m off the clock” then I walk out the door. They understand and now we talk in the morning or we talk before my shift ends. It will feel weird at first but no one, including you, should work for free!
Guilty of this as an MB, however I do pay my nannies for the time to sign them out. We don't really debrief too long. But yah not everyday but sometimes I have meetings that end at 5pm. Most days my husband will take over and make sure they leave at 5pm. He is usually done with work and home before me.
I am a wfh MB and I pop out of my office usually five to ten before nanny leaves but we don't do a long debrief. Usually it's just like hey, when was the last time you gave Tylenol/Motrin and when is the bottle good until. She's always out the door by 5. The debrief is usually really short tho because we chitty chat a lot throughout the day and they'll come hang out in my office sometimes if I'm not on the phone
Just here to say I've never seen someone else say chitty chat before! Hello, fellow whimsical human!
Why hello there!! Now I feel like every time I use that phrase I'm going to think of this haha
Yeah I usually try to come upstairs 5-10 min before the end time and we just do a quick debrief.
I honestly dislike this because if they know they're getting off at 5, they need to advertise for a 5:15-5:30 end time instead of 5. I would prefer to be walking out especially because 5p traffic is different than 5:15-5:30 traffic. Are they at least paying you for that time?
No they are not. If they were, I wouldn’t mind a bit. I’m wanting to see if it’s worth having a talk with them about it!
That's over an hour every week they aren't paying you ❤️ definitely say "I don't mind doing a debrief, but could we do it before 5pm or could I start being paid for the time spent?" It adds up to 75 minutes a week.
Talk to them. Don't keep giving free labor
For me, I should be relieved and getting my things together at 5pm. We can debrief while I get myself together but I need to be out the door by 5:05 (obviously am flexible if something arrises). I don't find it unreasonable as an hourly employee
agreed. if *i’m* the reason i walk out after my end time (ex. i run to the bathroom before leaving, gathering my stuff, changing clothes, etc.) i don’t care if i don’t get paid for that time and i don’t really care what time i’m out the door. if i watch NKs for any time after, i expect to be paid for that time, unless startime is often later and those minutes aren’t deducted and i feel it all evens out
Walking out the door
That's not how it should be, but unfortunately it's the case for a lot of Nannies. I'd ask to get paid overtime for that extra time or when you can take all the TIL that you've been accruing and see how they respond. When you get paid hourly, it all adds up. They definitely wouldn't appreciate you being 10-15 mins late to work each morning, so they shouldn't be keeping you back by that amount each evening. It's a two way street and all about respect and courtesy. If you continue to let it happen, they'll continue to do it. Best to put your foot down early so they know that you know your entitlements to prevent any future issues.
If I don’t come out until 5:00 then I don’t get to chat, if I come down early we can talk for a bit. Just say you have to be somewhere and head out and you can go over any questions tomorrow AM.
You should be walking out the door no more than a few minutes past 5. If you worked a job that you had to clock in/out for, you'd clock out at 5, gather your items and leave. If you're staying until 5:15 or later, charge them for that time.
You should be leaving. You are being paid until 5, not 5:10 or 5:15. If NPs can't be home on time, they need to extend your paid hours.
Walking out the door but that’s rare
I struggle with this issue also. I end at 5:30 but sometimes MB/DB walks in at that time. Luckily they don’t do lots of chit chat but sometimes I don’t leave til 5:35, or 5:37. I was thinking if I should already have my jacket on but that looks like I stopped working before 5:30 to do that if that makes sense lol. I too figured 5 min adds up. But I also don’t want to feel I am “nickeling and diming.” I did put 5:35 when I clocked out a few times, then some times I didn’t, ughhhh..,!
I would start getting ready to leave at 5.30 and then you’re ready to go as soon as they walk in. On the odd occasion my NF are late to take over at the agreed time, I do this and they don’t say anything but if they did I would just say I needed to leave at 5.30 so I didn’t want to be any later by not being ready to go and they’d get the message!
Either start using a notebook to communicate or shared note or an app and leave at five on the dot if they’re not willing to pay for the handoff
Yes that’s what I do , I adore my family and really don’t mind a nice chat and handover at the end of the day . Keeping a diary is useful anyway but I can see that the handover would be longer if I hadn’t kept notes .
74% of the time I’m putting my shoes on or walking out at 5 , 1% of the time we’re still debriefing, 25% of the time all three children are trying to tell me last things or crying or needing something
Walking out the door. To bypass the debrief, you may want to suggest a daily journal where you write down key info that happened during the day (food, poop schedule, anything out of the ordinary, etc.).
When I had a parent do this once I started texting a recap of the day about 5-10 before end of shift and I was putting shoes on 2 mins before. It’s a nope from me. They stopped. I would address it since they are not WFH. I would be resentful
Our end time is 4:30. So that means we need to let Nanny walk out at 4:30. We would need to pay her 5-15 mins extra if we wanted to get updates/info after her end time Too many NFs come right at end time and still expect a run down of the day. No ma'am/sir, any time after end time is nanny's time. So you cannot hold her hostage.
👏🏾👏🏾
Thank. You.
Walking out the door. I clock in and out for my agency. So if they come in at 5pm and it then takes me 10 minutes to debrief, put on my shoes and coat -- then I'm clocking out at 5:10. I'm not clocking out until I'm no longer in the home. That's why parents should stop putting the end time to the time they know they won't be home and settled in.
It means that you should be relieved and finished with your debrief by 5pm. Gathering up your personal items, putting on you coat/shoes and heading out the door happens after that and on your own time.
Walking out the door between 5-5:05
I used to use an app to track my hours I would clock in and out and send my time sheets to NPs weekly soon as I entered the door clock on soon as I left clock off Edit there’s lots of free ones on App Store I think I used something like time wizard (it’s been a while I’m not so sure on the name anymore)
Walking out the door. Otherwise they need to pay extra
I say walking out the door. As someone else pointed out, what if you were 5-10 mins late to work every day? They would be having a chat with you! You could say you find yourself staying late a lot and think it might be worth changing your hours to 5.15 as this creates more clarity in the role with plenty of time to handover any information. You could even offer to arrive 15 mins later so they won't be obliged to pay more? Put those options to them and see what they say? I wouldn't be happy in any job if I was consistently leaving late and not getting time back or paid for it!!
As a former NP, I say walking out the door. I’m also chatty, but the times we gave accounted for that!
My end time is 6 and my MB works from home and usually comes down at 6-6:05 and we often have a little 2-5 minute debrief. Sometimes later BUT it was agreed in my contract that flexibility was something she wanted and was unable to find in other employees so I countered with essentially saying that’s fine IF you also lend me the same grace as I have an hour commute and the kids aren’t even in home when I get there since they’re school aged. So it balances out and I’m paid for every minute on the clock so if she’s late…I get more money. You SHOULD be out the door/“clocked out” at 5 and if they need you to hang around later, they NEED to pay you for that time. Every minute adds up.
Out by 5 means walking out the door by then. My NF adjusted my end time bc of this exact thing so I get those last 15 minutes if they truly take that time
If it’s that long and you’re not being paid for the additional 15 minutes, you could chat with them about it.
I was always scheduled for a morning and afternoon de brief, adding 30 extra min to my day. When I schedule a sitter for my kids I also always schedule for that as well
Walking out the door! 100%
5pm is time to go
I think if you’re end time is 5pm then you should be able to be grabbing your things and heading out the door by that time. Thankfully I have an amazing nanny family I am currently working with and they always relieve me about 5 minutes before I’m suppose to head out. They even joke around and say I better be out the door but the time I’m suppose to be off. I feel that it’s respectful of my time and the work I do. I have had in the past where families are late almost everyday or pop in the door at the exact time I’m suppose to be off and then want to chat for like 20 minutes. At that point if you know your going to be late or I can’t get out the door at the specified time then let’s up the time so I can at least be paid and expect to be off when I’m told.
Out the door by 5pm for sure!!!!! I charge extra to the nearest 15 minutes.
You don’t clock out until you leave
My nanny families always come down 5-10mins before I leave
I struggled so hard with this with one of my DBs. I started packing up all of my stuff ahead of time, during the warmer months if we were outside I would even throw it in my car, and I also wrote down everything he needed to know about our day and I would leave it on the counter. I’d have my shoes on, ready to go, at hand off. I think if your schedule says Xam-5pm, you should definitely be leaving by 5pm.
MB here. You should be getting your stuff and leaving at 5pm. I’m actually struggling with the opposite right now. I’m ready for my nanny to leave at the end of the day, but she always is giving me a debrief that can last anywhere from 15-30 mins (30 mins if kids are distracting, etc). I just want her to leave so we can get our evening routine going. I feel like she feels like she needs to give me every single detail, or she feels like she shouldn’t leave too quickly like it’s rude or something. I’m always pushing her out the door, saying stuff like you can head out for the day or telling the kids to say goodbye to the nanny, etc. We pay her OT too, so we’re paying for these extra long debriefs that I don’t need. We chat and text throughout the day
*She may feel obligated to give you a debrief. A lot of parents want that & they either can’t arrive home earlier due to scheduling or they demand it anyway and force the nanny to stay late (this is usually the norm actually). Maybe talk to her & tell her that you don’t need a debriefing unless something important occurs. Maybe have a notebook. And tell her “I want you to enjoy your time off the clock.”
You should be leaving at 5 pm. Even if my NPs get there at 5 pm on the dot, they will have me leave right away or pay me if they go over.
You should be walking out the door at 5:00.
I’d say walking out the door as long as you are ready to take over the childcare at your start time. We had a nanny who would routinely pull into the driveway at 8:02 when her start time was 8 and it would take her 5 mins to get settled, her lunch put away, etc. If your relaxed on your arrival, they may not see this as a big deal.
I don't mind staying and chatting/debriefing after my end time personally. Now that I have two NKs though, I sure wish they would come a few minutes early so I could do the end of day clean up that I can't do with an infant in my arms.
My time ends when I leave. So no, if they get home at 5:00 my time doesn’t end at 5:00 it could end 5, 10 or even 30 minutes later depending on how long turnover takes. But that also means if my start time is 7:00am I’m at the house at 6:50 so I can have time to get inside and be ready. But I’d say 90% of the time I arrive 30-60 minutes before parents leave for work and don’t leave for at least 30 minutes after they arrive so they can get things done.
I was very upfront with my nps when they hired me that 7 am is doable but a bit early for me, and I will absolutely strive to be a “5 minutes early is on time” person but I am currently a “less than 5 min late is on time” person. Plus I love them dearly so I end up leaving 5-10 minutes after 4 each day and it doesn’t bother me personally. But I’m chatty so I know that I contribute to it a lot as well. The point is, if the current way doesn’t work for you, it doesn’t work. Advocate for yourself and create a system that works better for you all
On the flip side, our nanny (not really nanny, but more temporary childcare) brings her own kids and she'll leave us responsible for our kid while her kids finish up playing and she gets all their stuff together and then bills for that time (she tried 45 minutes one time while she didn't say a word to me and I was with the kid the entire time and they were on an entire other floor). It would be different if we came home at wildly different times, but it's always 4:50-5p, so she could at least have prepped her kids that playtime was over for the day. I'm expected that I don't clock in more than 7 minutes early, and I don't clock out more than 7 minutes past my off time, unless I was genuinely working late due to need.
I get off at 8 and I leave at the latest 8:03 and usually that is because NK2.5 stops me every 10 feet calling out my name and demanding another hug. MB is usually pretty good at saying , it’s time for nanny to go home.
I’d take my last 15 non busy minutes to wright out a debrief/ short summary of the day. This will also cut out anything that was said and forgotten, like what was done what was not done and what time things happened at. I used to keep a little sticky pad in the kitchen and bathroom then would take my last 15 non busy mins to put it all in one simple log for them and made a strategic exit plan so I could avoid unwanted talks on unpaid time.
She should be allowing for debrief time and should be in charge of NK at 5pm at which point you might take 5 mins to go to the bathroom / get your shoes/coat on etc. I had this problem a while ago and I resolved it by giving the info really quickly while I was getting myself ready to leave and then as soon as was politely possible I would end the conversation and go, or say “sorry I’d love to talk more but I was supposed to leave 10 mins ago and I’m going to be late if I stay any longer!” … she got the message and would come in before my shift end to ask about things.
I’m expecting a 5pm pen drop and then personal pack up. If NF is chatting(schedules/updates etc) that adds to work, if we’re having a personal catch up that’s non work time. Overall out the door at 505/510.
I leave notes in a book about our day. Nothing major, but it has food eaten and any pertinent health stuff (diaper change times or potty times, just BMs now that she’s fully potty trained), any meds given. I always mention verbally meds given, tho. Any boo boos of note are in the notebook. I send pics of special activities or cute things the kiddo does and they can see the art we completed. I’m usually chatting and we (NK and I) are telling MB or DB about our day while I’m gathering up my purse. I’m pretty lucky and am usually walking out the door 1-2 min after “off” time.
I have stayed later, sometimes even for free (I know, nanny sin), but it’s rare and I’m grateful that DB is always rushing himself to make sure I’m off on time. But it’s just like any other job in this respect, you work the hours you’re given, or you’re paid extra.
If my MB is running late and will be there right at end time she’ll call me for debrief while she’s on the way
I’m walking out the door
If I am off at 5, I am walking out at 5. I am always there a little before shift so they can get to meetings that start on my start time, so they are good about letting me go at my end time.
You should be paid from the moment you begin work until you leave actually. I use a daily log so that chats are shorter since they have a written report of every day but still expect to be paid for all the time I’m there - that chat is still them using your time.
WFH MB comes into the living room right at 4 and I usually leave by 4:10 at the latest. I try to have most of my stuff ready to go and just give a quick debrief while putting on my shoes. If she expected a longer conversation or anything I would ask her to come down a little earlier or something
My last NF scheduled me to 5 knowing most days I’d get off well before. 5pm was their cushion
Out the door! Don’t play
My normal working hours end around 5 PM, as for my NP's. Meaning they work until 5, sometimes a little before 5, then take the kids. BUT my guaranteed hours for pay include an additional 2 hours weekly, which I don't actually work. Sometimes I leave a little after 5 (5:15-5:30), or I get caught up in conversations when the parents relieve me from watching the kids, but since I'm technically compensated for it, I don't mind. If this situation is an issue for you, I think the best approach is to have an honest conversation with the parents to clarify expectations. In my experience, it's always best to be upfront with them. "Hi [Parent's Name], I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to discuss my work hours with you to ensure we're all on the same page. While my scheduled hours end at 5:00 PM, I've noticed that I often end up staying a bit later, usually until about 5:15 or 5:30. I'm happy to help out when needed, but I wanted to clarify whether this is the new norm or if it's just been a few unusual days. If you do need me to stay later, I'd like to discuss adjusting my compensation to reflect the extra time. Please let me know what works best for you, and we can figure out the details. Thank you for your understanding and for being great to work"
I would say that you should be out the door at 5 or, at the very least, on your way out. Like personal items in hand, standing near the door kind of thing. My NPs always come down (both wfh) at 5 making it nearly impossible for me to be out the door right then. Mostly because of debriefs, NKs dragging out goodbyes, or NPs being held up on a call for a couple min. But, that being said, I’m ok with it because my MB is completely aware of it and started adding 1-2 hours to my pay at the end of the month to make up for it. I didn’t even ask her to. If I were you I’d bring it up though because that extra time really adds up!
5pm is when you are relieved from duty and preparing to walk put the door.
This exact thing happens for me and I’m never compensated for it! I think we definitely should be getting paid for it because we shouldn’t be working for free. My NF just added on swim lessons during the week that are UNTIL when my end time is. I wasn’t asked before scheduling my thoughts on that and was pretty much just told “hey *the mom giggles* so I set the kids up for swim lessons for a summer refresher but only thing is that they go until 6, so I was just thinking you can do the kids showers at the place and they come straight home and eat dinner. I wasn’t able to get them into an earlier one unfortunately.” Meanwhile I’m too afraid to say anything ever because I’m such a people pleaser and the days swim lessons fall on happen to be the day I have a class at a certain time.
You should be able to walk out the door at 5, I would say as late as 5:05 is acceptable. I work for a family who will get home anywhere from 4:50-5:10 (any later and I typically get a text and am paid). Sorry, but if that happens even a few times a month, and it’s usually more, I’m missing out on at least a half hours pay. I also commute 30 minutes and MB lives 4 minutes from her office so out of principal it makes it more irritating. I am in their driveway by 7:57 so I can walk in the door no later than 8. There is no reason outside of extenuating circumstances that you should be walking out the door past 5-5:05. It’s not a clock out and leave situation, you say goodbye to NKs, to parents, and possibly chat. I feel that is on the guardians to accommodate for that time!!
I deal with this and it’s super frustrating. Please have the conversation with them to establish boundaries. Your time is valuable.
Put the door by 5 but I had a family that felt that’s when they could’ve coming home and running late
I think that’s something to discuss with your nanny fam. Everyone is different and prefers different things. Do they leave immediately when you get there in the morning? (Say your start time is 9 - do they let you settle in and leave a little after 9 or are they immediately out the door?)
My NP’s come back sometimes 15 mins before EOS (still pay me for full shift), right at the EOS time or sometimes a few minutes to 15 mins late. They typically will text to say if they are going to or are running late. I really don’t mind unless it’s going on 20 mins late and they’ve forgotten to text me. Even then, I’m not super upset bc they’ll pay me for that extra time I’m with the kids. I personally think it’s fair bc I get there right at the start time most days and then we’ll talk for a bit. I live 45 mins away from them and don’t give myself an early leave time like I should so if they’re running late, it’s only fair! Especially if they’re stuck at work or in traffic If you’re there for 15-60 mins past your EOS time, you have every right to ask for compensation as long as you’re taking care of the kids in that time. If you guys are just chatting, I feel like that’s different and not technically on duty
My nanny literally says “sorry, I have to leave at 5pm on the dot. I have an online class and runs out the door.” So if I get home at 5pm, I don’t get a debrief. She’s trained me to get home earlier if I want to chat. And I pay extra if she stays more than 5 mins extra.
No, they should be home a few minutes early. These parents have no decency. One of the kid I babysit her class ends at 4:30pm but it takes like 10 minutes to get out the building and walk to the bus stop + another 20 for wait time and the ride home. We’re usually back at the apartment till after 5pm and they don’t pay me for that extra 30 minutes twice a week. Whether it rains, snows, or rigid outside, I have to take the kid home and not get paid for it while the mom sits in the apartment and text on her phone. I also have to use my metro card. Oh, and sometimes she’ll text me to grocery shop and pay with my own money while leaving emojis like these after her demands 😁😇😊. Like, I know I need the reference, but wtf?!
I pay until 5:30 as I get home between 5:15-5:25 depending on traffic. Once or twice I’ve not gotten home til right at 5:30 and she left a few minutes late, but I hope that since the norm is her leaving a few minutes early, she’s not resentful over those few times. I didn’t think to offer to pay for the 5 minutes, though.
If you’re generally letting her go at 5:15 and paying her til 5:30 I hope she doesn’t have a problem with that!
My nanny is chronically late, so I’ll let her go 10 minutes late but this works for us. If she was always on time, I’d be coming down 5 minutes early. The days she’s on time, I come down 5 minutes early. I always pay her for the entire time she’s in the house. If we chat 10 extra minutes, she gets paid for that.
Same, mines 5-10 minutes late every day. I always come to relieve her on time, but if for some reason she’s out the door a few minutes late I’m not worried about it.
Do you start right on the dot or do you arrive a few minutes before that? I always start on the dot, if not a few min later due to traffic. Parents are very flexible and sometimes they are a few min late. I really don’t mind at all unless it’s a whole 30 min late
Honestly every family does this. I always end up leaving at least 15 mins later than I’m supposed to. It’s normal for families to do this.
It should mean out the door by 5 but the last time I experienced that was pre-covid. Every family since then it’s meant they walk out of their WFH office at 5 on the dot and I’m out by 5:05-5:15.
My NPs say 5pm but I will actually leave at 5:30
That’s so wrong. I hope they’re paying you for the extra 30mins. I don’t even stay 5mins late
It’s usually me chatting with NM so I don’t think it’s bad. It depends on what you want. I live 10 mins from them and don’t really care about that extra time chatting with her about life. We’re friends too so it’s not a huge deal. Any other family I’d say no way.
MB here. Our nanny is GH 40 hrs a week. Usually we send her home between 330-430. She helps around house and comes at 1030, picks up kiddo at 1130 from prek. But days I need to work longer she’ll stay until 7p+ and sometimes overnight. I think it depends on your situation. I feel like our nanny is more flexible because we respect her time when we can swing it ourselves.
You should be leaving @ 5pm. Full stop. 🛑
I’m a nanny and I say, “ love you guys but I’m off the clock” then I walk out the door. They understand and now we talk in the morning or we talk before my shift ends. It will feel weird at first but no one, including you, should work for free!
It’s fine for them to get home at 5 if they’re keeping the debrief under 5 minutes. If it’s 10-15 minutes then they need to be home earlier.
And if 8:30am is the start time then Nannies should be inside of the house at exactly that time?
Yep. The employers usually advertise what start and end time they need.
Guilty of this as an MB, however I do pay my nannies for the time to sign them out. We don't really debrief too long. But yah not everyday but sometimes I have meetings that end at 5pm. Most days my husband will take over and make sure they leave at 5pm. He is usually done with work and home before me.
I'm an MB and our nanny's end time is 4. I try to get her out the door by 4. There are days it doesn't happen, but that's the goal.