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A video of a woman and her team caring for kids while adults dance and party at a wedding has gone viral, and her paycheck for this job role has left the Internet surprised. Meet Sandra Weir, the NYC-based Wedding Nanny who makes up to $1,000 per day (A little over Rs 88,000) just by watching over kids at weddings and fancy events. Sandra has been babysitting for over 11 years, but it was one simple gig in 2024 that changed her life forever. She was hired to watch four kids during a wedding, and throughout the night, guests kept asking if she offered childcare specifically for such events. That’s when the Wedding Nanny NYC was born. Now, Sandra and her team show up in matching black T-shirts with their brand logo, ready to entertain little guests while parents enjoy the celebration stress-free. From crafts and games to bedtime routines, they handle everything so the grown-ups can relax and party on. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michael Jones (@mjonesone) Her package starts at $1,000 (approximately Rs 88,000) for 12 hours of on-site childcare, with options to extend the service or add more nannies for bigger groups. She often manages a whole crew, sometimes up to four nannies for a dozen kids. For a group that requires more than one sitter, it’ll cost $65 per hour (around Rs 5800) per person. “We pay for insurance, and we have a lot of expenses, so that’s why the prices are not what some people are expecting for us to charge,” Weir once told People. Sandra says that before each wedding, she sets up a detailed call with the family to discuss logistics, safety, allergies, and even each child’s personality. Concept Of Nannies In India In India, the idea of having a nanny or as we have long called them, ayahs, isn’t new at all. It actually goes back to the colonial era, when ayahs were trusted with the responsibility of kids in wealthy Indian and British households. They often lived with the family and cared for children like their own. But today, things look quite different. With more nuclear families, busy working parents and city life moving at full speed, nannies have become a big part of modern parenting. Instead of grandparents or extended family who would earlier always be around to help, trained and reliable nannies now step in to take care of the kids. Hiring a nanny is a necessity for many urban families. Parents want someone who is not just caring but also professional and dependable. And after the pandemic, the demand for in-home childcare grew even more, as families realised how important it is to have extra help at home. Popularity And Growth In Urban Areas Cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru are seeing more and more families hiring nannies these days. This growing demand shows how family dynamics in India are changing. The childcare market in India, which includes nannies, ayahs, babysitters, and daycare services, was worth about Rs 83,600 crore in 2024. And that’s not all. Experts are of the opinion that it could cross Rs 1.21 lakh crore by 2033, expanding at a steady annual growth rate of over 4%. Startups Offering Nannies, Japa Caregiver Services With the growing demand for trained japa caregivers and nannies, several startups are stepping in to make it easier for families to find trusted and verified domestic help. These agencies focus on trained, verified and professional caregivers, allowing parents peace of mind when leaving their kids in someone else’s care. Platforms like Broomees offer verified nannies and japa caregivers in cities such as Delhi, Pune, and Bengaluru, while Workerlly allows users to hire reliable helpers on an hourly basis through its app. In Mumbai, HireForCare provides professional caregivers and even runs a dedicated child therapy centre. BookMyBai.com is another well-known platform offering trained domestic help services across multiple cities. Even healthcare giants like MAX@Home have entered the space, offering specialised mother-and-child care services directly at home. Meanwhile, the sector also offers flexible job opportunities for women while also highlighting the increasing need for family support due to a rapid change in work culture and limited parental leave. Limitations And Social Dynamics When it comes to childcare, not everyone in India relies on professional nannies. In smaller towns or families with limited income, many still prefer help from relatives or local domestic help they already know and trust. This is mainly because parents often worry about safety, and there are no strong rules or systems in place to regulate professional nanny services yet. Even in cities, hiring a nanny is not enough, as parents still feel the need to supervise closely. While nannies are becoming an important part of urban family life, cultural habits, trust issues, and cost still play a big role in how quickly families across India accept this change as a society.
