Nanny Jobs in Atlanta: How to Find Work (and What to Expect)

Looking for nanny jobs in Atlanta can feel overwhelming at first. The metro area is large, neighborhoods are diverse, and families’ needs vary a lot. The good news: Atlanta is a busy, family-focused city with steady demand for experienced nannies, babysitters, and childcare professionals.

This guide walks you through how nanny jobs work in Atlanta, where to find them, what typical pay and duties look like, and how to protect yourself legally and financially while working here.

Types of Nanny Jobs in Atlanta

Nanny work in Atlanta doesn’t look the same in Buckhead as it does in College Park or Decatur. Understanding the main job types helps you narrow your search.

Common nanny roles

1. Full-time nanny

• Usually 30–50 hours per week
• Often Monday–Friday, daytime
• Common in neighborhoods like Buckhead, Morningside, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Inman Park, Virginia-Highland
• May include:
  • School or daycare pickup and drop-off
  • Meal prep for kids
  • Light children’s laundry
  • Planning outings to local parks (Piedmont Park, Chastain Park, local playgrounds)

2. Part-time nanny

• Often 10–30 hours per week
• Common for:
  • After-school care (e.g., 2–6 p.m.)
  • A few full days per week
• Popular in areas with many dual-working parents like Decatur, Grant Park, Kirkwood, East Atlanta, West Midtown

3. Live-in nanny

• Less common, but found in larger homes or multi-generational households
• Nanny receives a room in the home plus salary
• More likely in higher-income or suburban areas such as Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Alpharetta (metro Atlanta)

4. Nanny share

• Two (sometimes three) families share one nanny and split costs
• Often based in walkable, community-oriented neighborhoods like Decatur, Candler Park, Virginia-Highland, Old Fourth Ward
• You may care for children from more than one family at the same time, usually in one main home or alternating homes

5. Occasional / on-call sitter

• Date nights, weekends, or backup care
• Flexible, good for students at Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Emory, Spelman, Morehouse, Clark Atlanta or people supplementing other income

What Nanny Work Looks Like in Atlanta Day-to-Day

Typical duties

Every family is different, but in Atlanta, many nanny job descriptions include:

• Child supervision, play, and engagement
• Driving kids to school, daycare, after-school activities, sports, or lessons
• Planning age-appropriate activities (library visits, children’s museums, park time)
• Preparing kids’ meals and snacks
• Managing nap schedules and bedtime routines if needed
• Light child-related housekeeping:
  • Cleaning up play areas
  • Washing children’s dishes
  • Doing children’s laundry

Some positions may also ask for:

• Help with homework and school projects
• Transport to activities around Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, Sandy Springs, or other suburbs
• Occasional errands, like grocery shopping for kid-related items

You can expect more driving in Atlanta than in some smaller cities, due to distance between schools, homes, and activities.

Age groups you might work with

• Infant nannies: High demand, especially for parents returning to work after maternity or paternity leave.
• Toddler and preschool nannies: Often help with transitions to preschool or part-day programs.
• School-age nannies: Common for after-school positions, homework help, and activity shuttling.

Parents often look for nannies with specific experience (for example, newborn care, multiples, or special needs). Be clear about your comfort level and skills.

Pay Rates for Nanny Jobs in Atlanta

Pay can vary by:

• Your experience and training
• Number of children
• Job duties (driving, housekeeping level, tutoring)
• Schedule (daytime vs. nights/weekends)
• Location (for instance, central city vs. outer suburbs)

Typical patterns

While exact numbers change over time, in Atlanta it’s common to see:

• Hourly pay (most common):
  • Higher for:
    • More than one child
    • Infant care
    • Advanced skills (second language, teaching background, special needs experience)
• Guaranteed hours for full-time jobs, even if the family goes out of town or comes home early
• Time-and-a-half for overtime beyond 40 hours per week when paid legally on the books

Some full-time roles may include:

• Paid time off (holidays, vacation days, sick days)
• Mileage reimbursement when you drive your own car for work
• Employer-provided car for driving children (less common but possible)

When you interview, ask for specifics:

• Exact hourly rate or weekly salary
• Number of hours guaranteed
• How overtime is handled
• Whether you’ll be paid legally with taxes withheld

Nanny Jobs Atlanta: Where to Look

You have several ways to find nanny work in the Atlanta area. It usually helps to use more than one method at once.

1. Local nanny and household staffing agencies

Nanny agencies place caregivers with families and can help with:

• Matching you with families that fit your experience and preferences
• Clarifying job expectations and pay
• Drafting written work agreements

Agencies usually require:

• Professional references
• Background checks
• Interviews
• Proof you’re legally allowed to work in the U.S.

Search for agencies specifically serving Atlanta and surrounding suburbs. Many have offices or service areas covering:

• City of Atlanta
• Decatur
• Sandy Springs / Dunwoody
• Alpharetta / Johns Creek
• Cobb County (Marietta, Smyrna, etc.)

If an agency has a physical office, it is often located near central business districts or major corridors such as Peachtree Street, Perimeter Center, or Buckhead.

2. Online job boards and platforms

Many Atlanta families post nanny jobs on major national job boards and caregiver platforms. Common features:

• Search filters for:
  • Location (e.g., Atlanta, Decatur, Marietta, Lawrenceville)
  • Full-time vs. part-time
  • Live-in vs. live-out
  • Number of children
• Messaging tools to communicate directly with families
• Options for background checks and identity verification

Tips for using online listings in Atlanta:

• Narrow search radius to areas you can realistically reach in traffic
• Check job details closely (hours, expectations, pay)
• Beware of postings that:
  • Refuse in-person or video meetings
  • Offer unusually high pay for little work
  • Ask for financial information early on

3. Word-of-mouth and local networks

Atlanta’s neighborhoods are tight-knit. Many nanny jobs never get publicly posted.

Ways to tap into local networks:

• Let current or former employers know you’re looking for new work
• Connect with other nannies at:
  • Parks (Piedmont Park, Candler Park, Grant Park, Chastain Park)
  • Library story times (Atlanta-Fulton Public Library branches, DeKalb County Public Library branches)
  • Children’s play areas
• Ask parents at schools, daycares, or church communities if they know anyone hiring
• Join local online community boards or forums focused on neighborhoods like:
  • East Atlanta, Kirkwood, Decatur, Virginia-Highland, Old Fourth Ward, Westside, Buckhead

This approach often leads to more personal recommendations and long-term roles.

4. Colleges and universities

If you’re a student or live near a university, look for childcare job postings on:

• Georgia State University (Downtown Atlanta)
• Georgia Tech (Midtown)
• Emory University (Druid Hills)
• Spelman, Morehouse, Clark Atlanta (West End)

Families often contact campus job offices looking for reliable part-time nannies and sitters.

How to Stand Out as a Nanny in Atlanta

Build a strong local resume

Include:

• Childcare experience (nanny roles, daycare, teaching assistant, camp counselor, Sunday school, etc.)
• Age groups you’ve worked with
• Specific neighborhoods or cities you’ve worked in (Atlanta, Decatur, Marietta, Sandy Springs, etc.)
• Any specialized training:
  • CPR / First Aid
  • Early childhood education coursework
  • Newborn care certifications
  • Special needs care experience

Keep your resume concise and easy to read. Many families will skim quickly on their phone.

Highlight Atlanta-specific knowledge

Parents often appreciate nannies who:

• Already know nearby parks, libraries, museums, and kid-friendly activities
• Understand how long it really takes to drive from Grant Park to Buckhead at 5 p.m.
• Can plan outings that are realistic given traffic and weather

Mention if you’re familiar with:

• Children’s attractions like:
  • Children’s Museum of Atlanta (275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW)
  • Zoo Atlanta (800 Cherokee Ave SE)
  • Fernbank Museum (767 Clifton Rd)
• Local public transit you’re comfortable using (MARTA trains/buses, Atlanta Streetcar) if relevant

Get CPR and First Aid certified

Parents in Atlanta commonly look for nannies who are:

• Infant and child CPR certified
• First Aid trained

You can often find classes through:

• Local hospitals and health systems (e.g., major Atlanta-area hospitals)
• Community centers
• National organizations that operate in the Atlanta area

This training not only makes you more employable; it also gives you more confidence.

Important Legal and Safety Considerations

Work authorization and taxes

To legally work as a nanny in Atlanta (or anywhere in Georgia):

• You must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Families who hire nannies on a regular schedule are typically considered household employers under federal law.

Discuss with families:

• Whether they will:
  • Pay you “on the books” with taxes withheld
  • Provide a year-end tax form (often a W-2)
• How many weekly hours they expect
• Whether overtime will be paid at a higher rate

If you have questions about your employment rights, you can contact:

• Georgia Department of Labor – Atlanta Regional Office
  148 Andrew Young International Blvd NE
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 232-3500

They can provide general information about employment practices in Georgia.

Background checks and references

Most Atlanta families will:

• Request references from previous childcare jobs
• Ask for permission to run background checks

Prepare:

• A list of former employers (with names, phone numbers, email)
• Approximate dates you worked for them
• A short description of your role (ages of children, responsibilities)

Make sure you have permission to share each reference’s contact information.

Safety when meeting new families

When you set up interviews with families you’ve never met:

• Choose public places for the first meeting when possible (coffee shops, parks, lobbies in well-known buildings)
• Let a friend or family member know:
  • Where you’re going
  • Who you’re meeting
  • When you expect to be done
• Trust your instincts. If something feels off about a job, it’s okay to decline.

Many families will eventually invite you into their home for a working interview, but it’s reasonable to start in a more neutral location.

Typical Nanny Schedules in Atlanta

Common full-time patterns

• Standard business hours:
  • Example: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
• Long commuter days:
  • Example: 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., to cover Atlanta traffic and commute times
• Split shifts:
  • Morning drop-offs and late afternoon pick-ups with a midday break

Part-time examples

• After-school nanny:
  • 2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m., Monday–Friday
• Three full days per week:
  • Example: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Weekend support:
  • Saturday or Sunday, a full or half day

Because Atlanta traffic can be unpredictable, families often prefer nannies who live relatively close or are realistic about commute times.

Simple Overview: Nanny Jobs in Atlanta

Practical Steps to Get a Nanny Job in Atlanta

Here’s a straightforward path if you’re ready to start:

1. Update your resume

   • Focus on childcare experience and Atlanta-area knowledge.

2. Get or renew CPR/First Aid certification

   • Look for classes available in the Atlanta area.

3. Gather references

   • Ask past employers if they’re willing to speak with potential families.

4. Decide your boundaries

   • Minimum hourly rate
   • Maximum commute time
   • Number of children you’re comfortable caring for
   • Duties you will and won’t do (for example, child-related tasks only)

5. Start your search

   • Register with one or more Atlanta-focused nanny agencies.
   • Create profiles on major caregiver job platforms with your Atlanta location clearly listed.
   • Let friends, families you’ve worked for, and local community groups know you’re available.

6. Prepare for interviews

   • Be ready to discuss:
     • Your approach to discipline and routines
     • How you handle emergencies
     • Example activities you’d do with kids at different ages
     • Your knowledge of local kid-friendly spots

7. Ask for a work agreement

   • Once you find a family, put the job details in writing:
     • Schedule and guaranteed hours
     • Pay rate and overtime
     • Paid holidays and vacation
     • Duties and responsibilities
     • How performance reviews and raises will be handled

Following these steps will help you navigate nanny jobs in Atlanta more confidently and find a position that fits your skills, schedule, and life in the city.