Family Assistants

A family assistant is a hybrid role, blending the hands-on care of a nanny with the organizational support of a household manager. This unique overlap makes them an invaluable resource for busy families.

  • Childcare Support: They can handle school pick-ups and drop-offs, supervise homework, prepare meals, and help keep kids on schedule.

  • Household Support: They manage errands, family calendars, vendor appointments, and general household organization.

  • Seamless Integration: Because they move between childcare and household duties, family assistants reduce stress and free up parents’ time, creating balance and consistency across the entire home.

In short, a family assistant ensures both the children’s needs and the household’s needs are met, giving families more time together and less on their to-do list.

Duties

A family assistant combines childcare support with household management to keep everything running smoothly. Duties may include:

  • Coordinating family calendars, appointments, and activities

  • Running errands such as grocery shopping, returns, and pharmacy trips

  • Managing household vendors and service providers

  • Providing light childcare, including school drop-offs and pick-ups

  • Preparing meals and organizing family routines

  • Assisting with travel planning, packing, and scheduling

  • Organizing events, birthdays, and holiday preparations

  • Maintaining household organization and ensuring supplies are stocked

A full-time family assistant/nanny typically works 30–50 hours per week, depending on your family’s needs. Most families create a consistent routine so both the nanny and children thrive with structure. Common schedules include:

  • Standard Weekday Coverage:
    Monday–Friday, 8 AM–6 PM (or similar)

  • Shift-Work Families (like physicians):
    Flexible start/end times, sometimes early mornings, evenings, or split shifts

  • Travel & Occasional Needs:
    Some full-time nannies are open to occasional weekends, overnights, or travel with the family (arranged in advance and compensated accordingly)

The exact schedule is tailored to your family and clearly outlined in the work agreement to ensure consistency and peace of mind for everyone.

Schedule

Rates

The hourly rate for a family assistant usually falls between a nanny’s rate and a household manager’s rate, since it’s a hybrid role that covers both childcare and household management.

Here’s a general breakdown (U.S. averages, 2025):

  • Typical Range: $25 – $40 per hour

  • Lower End ($25–$28/hr): For candidates newer to the role or in lower cost-of-living areas

  • Mid Range ($30–$35/hr): Experienced family assistants with several years in childcare/household management

  • Higher End ($35–$40+/hr): In major metros (NYC, Boston, Seattle, SF, etc.), or when duties include complex scheduling, travel coordination, or household staff oversight

Families often justify the higher rate because a family assistant saves them from needing both a nanny and a household manager separately.