Fran Fine, a former door-to-door cosmetics representative from Queens, New York, stumbled into a job as nanny for a widowed Broadway producer, Maxwell Sheffield's family of three children after peddling cosmetics on his doorstop. Her honesty and offbeat style have won over the children who have all blossomed under her care. Maggie, the oldest, has developed into a confident young woman, Brighton is quick-witted and devious, while Grace, the youngest, no longer needs the help of a therapist. Also on staff at the Sheffield mansion are C.C. Babcock, Maxwell's snooty business partner who harbors a crush on him, and Niles, the butler, whose sardonic wit keeps everyone in line, especially C.C.