A live-in nanny is a professional who lives in your home in private accommodation and cares for your children on a set weekly schedule. Because they live on-site, your nanny is there for the early mornings, late nights, and travel, not only the standard working day.

In our experience, the live-in arrangements that last for years are the ones built on clear expectations and genuine respect for a nanny's own space and time.

What a live-in nanny Offers

Care that's there when your family needs it

Your nanny holds the daily routine like any full-time nanny: meals, naps, dressing and baths, creative play, school runs, and homework support as your children grow. What sets the role apart is availability, because a nanny who lives on-site can flex around early starts, late finishes, overnights, and travel.

In exchange, the role includes private accommodation in your home and defined off-duty time that is genuinely their own. We help you clearly structure on-duty and off-duty hours from the start, so the arrangement feels good for your family and is sustainable for your nanny.

Who it's for

Where a live-in nanny fits best

A live-in nanny is the right fit for families who need care beyond standard hours, each matched with someone chosen around the way they live.

Early starts and late nights

Parents with demanding or irregular hours who need care that is already there before the day begins and after it ends.

Families who travel

Families that travel often and want consistent, trusted care to come with them rather than start over each trip.

Intensive early years

Newborns, multiples, or overnight needs, where steady, on-site help through the night and early morning matters most.

A lasting part of family life

Families with the space who want a trusted nanny to become a steady, familiar presence year after year.

Our Standard

Fewer than 1 in 20 applicants make it through our process

The Nanny Tribe has matched nannies for Bay Area families for over a decade. Every nanny is interviewed in person by our founder, personally reference-checked, third-party-accredited, background-screened, and TrustLine-registered.

We only send a family a nanny we would trust in our own home.

Nicole, Founder, The Nanny Tribe

See how we vet every nanny →

How it works

Three steps to the right nanny

01 We search

A personal intake call, a job description built around your family and live-in arrangement, and a focused recruit from our vetted network.

02 You select

We introduce a small group of fully vetted live-in nannies. You interview, we coordinate trials, and you choose the person who fits

03 We support

Offer, contract, and onboarding, with ongoing guidance through the Family Hub for as long as your nanny is with you.

Start your live-in nanny search

Tell us about your family and the care you have in mind, and we will be in touch within 24 hours.

Start your nanny search

Live-in or live-out

Choosing between a live-in and live-out nanny

The right fit comes down to the hours you need covered and whether on-site flexibility matters to your family.

Best for flexibility beyond standard hours

Live-in nanny

Lives in your home, defined on and off-duty hours

A trusted nanny on-site for early mornings, late evenings, overnights, and travel.

On-site flexibility for non-standard hours

Seamless support for travel and overnights

A nanny who becomes part of your family

Best for standard weekday hours

Live-out (full-time) nanny

Commutes daily, 30 or more hours a week

Consistent daily coverage with a nanny who returns to their own home each night.

No accommodation to provide

A clear separation of work and home

Great for predictable weekday schedules

Explore full-time nannies →

Both roles include the same vetting and guarantee. See full rates and fees →

Rates and Timeline

What to expect

A live-in nanny is a long-term investment in your children and your home. Compensation reflects the role, the hours, and the private accommodation you provide, and varies by region and the nanny's experience.

Live-in nanny rate

$35 to $50 an hour, based on experience and the role

Typical schedule

Defined on-duty and off-duty hours, with days off arranged

What you provide

A private bedroom and bathroom, meals, and utilities

Common benefits

Guaranteed hours, paid vacation, sick days, paid holidays, healthcare stipend

Engagement fee

$650 to begin the search

Agency fee

15% of the nanny's annual gross compensation

Full rates and fees

View service fees →

Our commitment

What is included with every live-in search

We work to get every match right the first time. When you choose The Nanny Tribe, you are choosing a team that stays with you well beyond your nanny's first day.

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Tailored nanny search

Each search begins with a clear picture of your family's schedule, values, and live-in arrangement, and we match you with nannies who meet our vetting standard.

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Contract and schedule support

We help you structure the on-duty and off-duty hours, accommodation, and a clear work agreement so the arrangement starts on solid footing.

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Twelve-month guarantee

Live-in searches include a twelve-month guarantee from your nanny's start date. If a match does not work within that year, we start a fresh search at no additional agency fee.

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Ongoing support

We stay involved well after your nanny starts, keeping your agreement and paperwork up to date through the Family Hub throughout the role.

We hired our full-time nanny through The Nanny Tribe and quickly realized a live-in arrangement would be much better. Nicole/The Nanny Tribe helped us restructure our arrangements and agreements so that the transition went smoothly even months after we hired our nanny. We could not love our nanny more.

-Anthony L.

San Francisco, CA

Common Questions

What families ask about live-in nannies

What accommodation does a live-in nanny need?

A live-in nanny needs a private bedroom of their own, ideally with a private bathroom. Their own space is what keeps a live-in arrangement comfortable and sustainable for everyone.

How many hours does a live-in nanny work, and do they get time off?

A live-in nanny works a defined weekly schedule with clear on-duty and off-duty hours, and days off are arranged in advance. Living in your home does not mean being on duty around the clock. We help you set the hours clearly from the start.

What is the difference between a live-in and a live-out nanny?

A live-in nanny lives in your home in private accommodation, which allows flexibility for early mornings, late evenings, overnights, and travel. A live-out nanny commutes and returns to their own home each night, which suits standard weekday hours.

Can a live-in nanny travel with our family?

Yes. One of the main reasons families choose a live-in nanny is seamless, trusted care that can travel with them, so the routine holds wherever you are.

What is the difference between a live-in nanny and an au pair?

An au pair is a young caregiver on a cultural exchange visa, with hours capped by the federal program and a set weekly stipend, typically staying for a year or two. A live-in nanny is a professional caregiver you employ directly, often with years of experience, no program cap on the role, and a schedule you set together. Families who want an experienced, long-term nanny rather than a short-term cultural exchange choose a live-in nanny.

What does a live-in nanny cost in the Bay Area?

Live-in nannies in the San Francisco Bay Area typically earn $30 to $45 an hour, plus private accommodation. Where a nanny sits in that range depends on their experience and what the role asks of them. You can see the full breakdown on our service fees page.

What does a live-in nanny cost in the Bay Area?

Live-in nannies in the San Francisco Bay Area typically earn $30 to $45 an hour, plus private accommodation. Where a nanny sits in that range depends on their experience and what the role asks of them. You can see the full breakdown on our service fees page.

How long does it take to find a live-in nanny?

Most searches take 2 to 8 weeks on average, 4 weeks, depending on your schedule, location, and the arrangement. We confirm your timeline at the intake call.

Start your live-in nanny search