common questions

why do new parents choose lullaby?

Our clients usually come to Lullaby already knowing that they want to hire a Newborn Care Specialist, and want help finding the right one. These are usually busy folks that want to trust that the process is as easy as possible and is being handled by an expert. And that’s exactly what we offer!

does lullaby employ the NCS?

No. We help families find qualified Newborn Care Specialists (NCS) for hire. Our role is to connect families with skilled professionals, ensuring a good match. After finding an NCS through Lullaby, you create the employment relationship while we offer guidance.

how far in advance should we hire lullaby?

Typically clients will book as far in advance as possible, most commonly around 4-5 months into their pregnancies. But don’t worry if your baby is due soon, there may still be options available for your family.

what is the minimum length of contract?

Since caregivers set their contract terms, Lullaby does not impose a minimum requirement for service duration. However, we do typically work with families seeking longer-term arrangements. It is quite rare that anyone will request less than 8 weeks of care, and those who do often find themselves extending their contract terms once they have experienced our services. Trust us and the voices of our previous clients- you’re going to love it!

The most commonly contracted time is about 12 weeks, for three to four nights each week.

what is the cost of this service?

Lullaby charges a $580 application fee, which can be applied toward the overall placement fee. Additionally, a placement fee of 18% of the total contract amount is collected once a family has successfully hired their Newborn Care Specialist (NCS). This does not come from the employee’s earnings, it is a separate fee. That’s it—no hidden fees, no unexpected costs, and no surprises. We strive for transparency in all our financial dealings to ensure that families are fully informed from the beginning.

The application fee covers key parts of the selection process, including a background check, reference check, interview, and credential screening. (But it is our matchingmaking expertise most clients rave about!) About two months before your anticipated start date, you will receive detailed information on two qualified candidates to personally meet and interview before deciding who to hire.

how much can we expect to pay our ncs?

Typically, you can expect an NCS, or newborn care specialist, to request an hourly wage that generally falls within the range of approximately $35 to $40 per hour. It is important to remember that these rates are specific contract terms that are carefully negotiated and worked out between the two parties involved, and they are not determined by Lullaby. Additionally, it is crucial to keep in mind that there is a significant difference between paying a traditional employee and hiring an individual who is self-employed. An individual who is self-employed will charge an hourly rate for their services via a business, paying self employment taxes and overhead from that rate. In contrast, our process involves hiring a caregiver who will have a requested hourly wage.

can you help us with contract, payroll, etc?

While we don’t directly handle this part for you, we are more than happy to assist by making referrals and recommendations to trusted sources that can help you create the necessary contract documents. It’s important to make contact with your tax professional, but as a general rule of thumb, the IRS requires payroll taxes be paid on wages of anyone working within your home earning more than $2400 annually. There may be tax benefits to this for your family as well.

We can provide information about companies that our clients have previously used for managing household payroll services, ensuring you have access to reliable options.

what if our placement doesn’t work out?

That’s exactly why you’ve chosen to hire Lullaby to help! If this happens, we can coordinate another qualified candidate to be hired by your family. This is outlined in the Placement Agreement.

do you assist families in other states?

Yes, but the employment laws shift from state to state. Let’s chat and see if Lullaby can help!