Houston Nanny FAQ: Costs, Hiring, and Agencies

Quick answers to the questions Houston families ask most about hiring a nanny, from Southwest Domestics, a Houston placement agency founded in 1990. Rates and policies are from our rates page and FAQs. Tax and wage facts cite IRS and U.S. Department of Labor guidance, and wage benchmarks come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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Cost and fees

How much does a nanny cost in Houston?

Through Southwest Domestics, a full-time Houston nanny (35–40 hours a week) costs $20 to $30 per hour depending on experience: $25–$30/hr for Class A (up to 5 years), $23+/hr for Class B (up to 3 years), and $20+/hr for Class C (up to 2 years). Part-time nannies (4–34 hours a week) cost $20 to $35 per hour. A one-time $175 registration fee applies and there is no finder’s fee. See what a nanny costs in Houston.

Why do nanny rates differ from the average childcare wage in Houston?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median wage for childcare workers in the Houston metro at $14.20 per hour (May 2025), but that figure mostly covers daycare and other employer-paid childcare staff. A private nanny works one-on-one in your home on your schedule, so private nanny rates are typically higher.

Does Southwest Domestics charge a finder’s fee?

No. Southwest Domestics does not charge a finder’s fee. There is a one-time $175 registration fee when you open your account, and interviews are free.

Hiring and interviews

What is the difference between a nanny agency and Care.com?

A nanny agency screens candidates and presents a short list for you to interview, while a marketplace such as Care.com lets you search profiles and do the screening yourself. At Southwest Domestics, every candidate is background-checked (with regularly updated checks), has verifiable references and prior experience, and is bonded and insured before you meet them.

How does hiring a nanny through Southwest Domestics work?

There are four steps: a consultation about your needs, schedule, and family culture; a short list of 4–5 hand-picked candidates; free in-person interviews at our Stafford office; and placement with ongoing support. If the match is not right, we find a replacement at no extra cost.

Where do I interview nanny candidates?

Most interviews are held in person in the conference room at our office, 13847 Stafford Rd, Stafford, TX 77477. Each interview usually lasts 10–20 minutes, and the whole visit typically takes about an hour to an hour and a half.

How many nanny candidates will I meet?

Usually up to five. You can interview as many candidates as your time allows, and it usually does not take more than five to find a match.

Are Southwest Domestics nannies background-checked?

Yes. All personnel undergo background checks, which are regularly updated, and all have verifiable references. All personnel are bonded and insured, and we only present providers with previous experience. See how we screen.

Are your nannies CPR certified?

CPR or First Aid training is available on request; an additional charge may apply.

What if the nanny is not the right fit?

Southwest Domestics offers hassle-free replacements: if you are not satisfied, we help you find a better match at no additional cost.

How long does it take to find a nanny through an agency?

It depends on your schedule and requirements. Call (713) 789-5437 for current timing.

Schedules and roles

Can I hire a part-time or after-school nanny in Houston?

Yes. Part-time placements run 4–34 hours a week with a 4-hour minimum per visit, which suits after-school pickup, homework, and activities. See after-school nannies in Houston.

Should I hire a live-in or live-out nanny?

A live-in nanny lives in your home, with duties, hours, and time off agreed up front, and pricing is set at your consultation. A live-out nanny commutes to your home. Full-time is 35–40 hours a week, and live-out hours over 40 a week are billed at an overtime rate in accordance with Texas law. See live-in nannies.

Can a nanny also do housekeeping?

Yes. A nanny–housekeeper combines childcare with household duties such as laundry, meals, and upkeep. Tell us every duty at the consultation so we present candidates who fit the whole role. See nanny and housekeeper placements.

Will the nanny drive my children?

If you need it. Our intake asks whether driving is required and whether you provide a car, and we present candidates who fit. If your home has a pool, we also ask whether the nanny must be able to swim.

Can I hire a babysitter for just a few hours?

Southwest Domestics has a 4-hour minimum per visit, so we are a good fit for regular part-time or full-time care. For a one-off evening of a couple of hours, a neighborhood sitter or a sitter app is usually simpler.

Do I have to pay nanny taxes in Texas?

If you employ a nanny directly, IRS Publication 926 says that in 2026 you owe Social Security and Medicare taxes once you pay one household employee $3,000 or more in cash wages, and federal unemployment tax once you pay $1,000 or more in a calendar quarter. Texas has no state income tax. The IRS also says a worker isn’t your employee if an agency provides the worker and controls the work; Southwest Domestics providers are employees or contractors of Southwest Domestics, and we cover taxes, Social Security, and related payroll obligations for you. Ask your tax advisor how this applies to you.

Do federal wage laws apply to nannies?

Yes. The U.S. Department of Labor says domestic service workers in private homes, including nannies, babysitters, maids, and housekeepers, are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act. Southwest Domestics bills live-out hours over 40 a week at an overtime rate in accordance with Texas law.

About Southwest Domestics

Which Houston areas does Southwest Domestics serve?

Greater Houston, including Houston (River Oaks, Memorial, the Heights, West University, Bellaire, Meyerland, and the Galleria area), Stafford, Sugar Land, Katy, The Woodlands, Pearland, Missouri City, and Richmond. See our pages for Sugar Land, Katy, The Woodlands, Bellaire, River Oaks, Memorial, Pearland, and Cypress.

How long has Southwest Domestics been placing nannies?

Since 1990. Southwest Domestics is a Houston in-home placement agency based at 13847 Stafford Rd, Stafford, TX 77477.

Does Southwest Domestics place housekeepers and senior caregivers too?

Yes. The same agency places housekeepers and executive housekeepers, household maids, and senior companions and caregivers, using the same experience classes and rates.

How do I get started?

Call (713) 789-5437 (Monday–Friday, 9–5) or fill out the new client form, and we will schedule a free consultation and interviews at our Stafford office.

Contact Southwest Domestics

Southwest Domestics
13847 Stafford Rd, Stafford, TX 77477
(713) 789-5437
Mon–Fri 9–5
southwestdomestics@gmail.com

Start a new client request or call to schedule a complimentary interview.

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