I think you need to tell her you're going to pay her or compensate her in some way. FWIW, my nanny gets all Federal holidays off (paid), 2 weeks paid vacation and 5 paid sick days. She also gets paid for any time when we don't need her, like snow days, our vacations, grandparents visiting, etc. The bottom line is she gets a lot of paid time off. But we had an issue after her first year when she thought I was going to pay out unused sick leave (it is in the contract that I wouldn't do that; she had forgotten and had that as a benefit at her last job). Luckily we talked about it and sorted it out but it was the sort of thing that could have festered. Now she's been with us for three years.

You don't have to pay her. But if you value her and Want to keep her, it is worth it to pay her.

Did you seriously think you could just cut a nanny's hours back because you got a paid day off from work? Although I understand you are new to this parent/nanny/employer world, how would you feel if your employer did that to you? "Don't come to work on Tuesday and we won't pay you for it either".

"Considering paid vacation, a few sick days and holidays are typical nanny benefits than I say yes. However, you have no contract which gives her no benefits so you don't have to pay her but if you want to retain a long term nanny it's best that you do. I would immediately write up a contract with at least the basics so your nanny doesn't feel taken advantage of."

You don't have to do this but you up the chances of losing her by not doing it. If you are ok with that then that is fine. If you don't want to lose her you really need to invest in doing what pp suggests.
- MB of a nanny (same one) for 6 years

I agree with all other posters - you did screw up. Just because you had a paid day off doesn't mean she should lose a paid day of work.

Why not sit down now and put together a contract. I did not give my nanny President's Day off, but that was in our contract from the beginning. She is full time, and gets eight holiday days off, but Pres Day isn't one of them. The ones she gets off are paid for.

Yup. You made a big mistake and should right it immediately. Talk to your nanny now.

Yes. You should have paid her - part-time or not. Often the "lovely", experienced nannies will not bother get into a discussion with you about something uncomfortable and they will simply begin looking for another job which they can always get!

Yes. Any holiday either DH or I has off DS' nanny has it off and is paid. There are a few fed holidays both of us work, so nanny has to still come in (this is written out in our contract) but she has additional vacation days because of this.

So works on the books about 30 hrs a week (guaranteed to be paid 30 hrs but she often works less)

Typically if you ask her not to work then she should be paid. She didn't decide to not work. Not a big deal just discuss with her these things and make a plan for the future. She will be grateful for paid vacation and paid sick days and paid federal days off.

I worked for a family who wanted a nanny, but yet treated the position as the nanny was a babysitter. Mom felt that I worked pt 36 hours in 3 days, that she didn't offer any benefits,but gave the impression she was during the interview. I started looking for a position when I had to work Presidents' Day without additional pay while her husband was home all day.

OP here - I should also add that our nanny works between 30 and 35 hours a week for us, legally - on the books. She is a lovely woman in her 50's, a former teacher and not a first time nanny by any means. Does any of that make a difference?

I literally have a lump in my throat! I'm a new parent and this is our first nanny.

How long has she worked for you? If this is her first full time position, she may not be expecting these benefits, and that might be why she hasn't said anything. That being said, she will learn that these are basic benefits and that she can easily find them elsewhere, so if you're concerned with losing her and can offer some holidays and vacation time I would suggest doing so and drawing up a contract.

Considering paid vacation, a few sick days and holidays are typical nanny benefits than I say yes. However, you have no contract which gives her no benefits so you don't have to pay her but if you want to retain a long term nanny it's best that you do. I would immediately write up a contract with at least the basics so your nanny doesn't feel taken advantage of.

... I'm home from work and tell her she doesn't need to come to work? We didn't pay our nanny for that Monday and now I'm starting to worry. She didn't say anything but I would be devastated if we lost her due to docking her for a day's pay! We don't have a nanny contract and vacations, sick days, personal time, and holidays were never discussed. She is paid by the hour and any added time (when we ask her to stay late) she is compensated.

Did I screw up?