A mother is preparing to return to work after maternity leave. Three days a week she will be in the office, two days she will work from home, and her baby is eight months old. “A full-time nanny feels like too much,” she tells us. “But part-time doesn’t feel like enough. How do I know which one I need?”
At Kith, we hear this question often, and the honest answer is that the label matters far less than the shape of your week. Choosing between a full-time or part-time nanny is really about understanding when your family needs support, what kind of support, and how that might change over the next year. In this guide, we explain how we help families think it through, so you can make a decision you feel confident about.
What we mean by full-time and part-time
There is no single, fixed definition of either. In general, a full-time nanny covers a full working day on most days of the week, while a part-time nanny covers set days or set hours, such as mornings, afternoons or a few days a week.
What matters is that the hours are agreed clearly. At Kith, the opportunities we place may include live-in, live-out, full-time or part-time roles, depending on current family requirements, and the arrangement is stated clearly before a nanny considers a placement. That clarity protects you and your nanny from the misunderstandings that tend to damage trust.
Start with your week, not the label
Before deciding on hours, we encourage you to look at your week as it actually is. Take a quiet half hour and think about:
- Your work pattern. Are you in the office every day, on a hybrid schedule, or on shifts or irregular hours?
- The gaps. Which hours genuinely need covering, and which parts of the day could you or your partner manage?
- Your children’s ages. A baby or toddler at home needs care throughout the day. A child at school or crèche needs support at specific times.
- Your commute. In Gauteng, travel time often stretches a working day well beyond the hours on your contract.
- School holidays. School-going children are home all day several times a year, which can change what you need.
- What might change. A baby becomes a toddler, a job changes, a second child arrives. Think about the next year, not only the next month.
When we meet a family, this is the conversation we begin with. We get to know your children, your routine and the rhythm of your home before we suggest anything.
When a full-time nanny usually makes sense
In our experience, a full-time nanny is often the right choice when:
- Your baby or toddler is at home during the day and needs consistent, hands-on care
- Both parents work full days, including commuting time
- Your hours are unpredictable or include early starts and late finishes
- You value one familiar person who knows your child’s routines, moods and milestones
Consider a family in Waterfall with an eight-month-old, where both parents travel to Sandton for work. Their mornings begin early and their evenings end late. For them, a full-time nanny means one consistent person caring for their baby through feeding, naps and play, without the juggling that comes from patching cover together.
When a part-time nanny usually makes sense
A part-time nanny often works well when:
- A parent works from home or on a hybrid schedule and needs support on certain days
- Your child attends a crèche or school for part of the day, and you need the gaps covered
- You need dependable afternoon help rather than a full day of care
- A family member already helps on some days, and you need support for the rest
Picture a family in Irene with a toddler who attends a morning programme, and parents who work until late afternoon. An afternoon nanny who collects, plays and supports the evening routine might suit them better than someone present all day.
It is worth being honest about one thing. If your children are of school-going age and your main need is school runs, homework and afternoon routines, you may want to think about whether an au pair is the better fit, since we see an au pair as the all-rounder for school-age children. A nanny is typically more hands-on with younger children. We are always happy to talk through which suits your family.
Things families often overlook
A few practical points tend to surface only after a decision is made, so it helps to think about them early.
School holidays. A part-time arrangement that works perfectly during term may leave a gap when children are home all day. Talk about holiday cover before the placement starts, not in the first week of December.
Sick days and short-notice cover. Children get ill, and nannies do too. Think about who your backup is. At Kith, backup care is available when families need extra support at short notice.
Your nanny’s needs too. A nanny’s own availability and circumstances matter just as much as yours. A role with very few hours may not suit someone who needs a full income, which can affect how long a placement lasts. We take a nanny’s experience, preferred age group and availability into account when we match, because children benefit from consistency, and we ask nannies to commit to a family for at least six to twelve months.
Overtime and flexibility. Occasional late nights and early meetings happen. Agree upfront how extra hours will be arranged and recognised, so nobody feels taken for granted.
Live-In or Live-Out?
Whether a nanny lives in or out is a separate question from her hours, but the two often interact. Live-in arrangements can suit families with early starts or unpredictable schedules, while live-out works well when hours are set and predictable. We offer both, depending on current family requirements, and the arrangement is stated before a nanny decides whether to proceed.
What Does It Cost?
Costs depend on the hours, the number and ages of your children, the responsibilities involved and the experience required. At Kith, indicative nanny pricing currently starts from R11,500 per month, excluding VAT, which covers the nanny’s pay together with the support we provide around the placement.
If you are considering part-time, we will talk you through what that looks like for your household when we meet. When you compare options, we would encourage you to look beyond the price. Vetting, matching, continuity and ongoing support all affect how settled your family feels over time
How We Help Families Decide
Here is how we approach it at Kith.
We start by listening. We get to know your family, your children and your routine, ideally during a free home visit, so that we understand the real shape of your week before we talk about hours.
We talk through the options. That includes full-time versus part-time, live-in versus live-out and whether a nanny or an au pair is the better fit for your children’s ages.
We introduce a small shortlist. We shortlist people we believe could genuinely fit your home, considering their experience, the age groups they prefer and their availability. Every Kith Companion has been through a seven-stage vetting process before we introduce them, covering identity and right-to-work verification, SAPS police clearance, child protection screening, reference triangulation, a practical assessment with children, an in-person interview and continuous re-checking.
We state the arrangement clearly. Hours, duties and the type of arrangement are clarified before a placement begins.
We stay involved. Needs change over time. A real person at Kith remains available throughout your placement. If the fit is not right, we help you find someone who is through free re-matching, and if your Companion becomes unavailable, we work to place a vetted replacement within 48 hours
Making a Decision You Can Live With
Choosing between a full-time or part-time nanny does not have to be a leap in the dark. Look honestly at your week, think about your children’s ages and the next year, plan for holidays and sick days and remember that the right match matters as much as the right hours. A decision that fits your family today can always be revisited as your children grow.
If you are looking for a nanny who fits your family’s routine, values and childcare needs, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch with Kith, tell us about your week and your children, and we will help you work out what support makes the most sense for your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a full-time or part-time nanny better?
Neither is better in general. A full-time nanny often suits families with babies or toddlers at home
and full working days, while a part-time nanny suits families who need cover on specific days or at set times, such as afternoons. It depends on your work pattern, your children’s ages and the gaps in your week.
How many hours does a part-time nanny work?
There is no single standard. The hours depend on your family’s needs and are agreed for each placement. At Kith, the arrangement is stated clearly before a nanny considers a placement.
Can I start part-time and move to full-time later?
Needs often change as children grow or jobs shift. If you expect that, say so at the start, so it can be discussed openly with your nanny and agreed in writing.
Does Kith offer both full-time and part-time nannies?
Opportunities may include live-in, live-out, full-time or part-time roles, depending on current family requirements. The arrangement is stated before a nanny considers the placement.
What is the difference between a nanny and an au pair?
A nanny provides hands-on care for younger children, including feeding, routines, naps and play. An au pair supports school-going children with school runs, homework and afternoon routines. If you are unsure which suits your family, we can talk it through.
