Child care... Nannies?

Question

I am 26 weeks pregnant with my first child. My husband and I own an insurance agency that requires a ton of time and attention from us. We have been discussing the hiring of a nanny. We would like to hire her a month or so before I plan on going back into the office so that we can make sure she fits correctly with our son*. We also want to have her help around the house (wish we had her now). All of our friends send their kids to daycare. I just don't want to do this since I will be able to stay home a couple of days a week and daycare requires the same amount of $$ for three days or five.

I guess I'm needing to know if any of you have experience with a nanny and how well it worked out for your kids. Did she help around the house? What is too much to ask of her? What kind of pay do they recieve? What hours did you keep? Where did you find them? What kind of references/requirements should I require and expect?

Any help/advice you can give would be appreciated!

We don't want to take him to the office because we do have another agent that shares a reception area with us. We think it may be too big a distraction. I would work from home, but I know too much attention would go to him instead of work.

Answer 1

I worked as a nanny many years ago. One of the most important things is to be up front with each other from the beginning.
It's also a good idea to put your expectations of each other in writing, this will help each of you.
I was expected to clean up after myself and the kids, dishes, toys, if we made a mess, etc. I didn't dust or vacuum or any of that.
They found me through an ad in the paper, I worked 40+ hrs per week.
Ask for as many personal and professional references as she is willing to provide you with.
Also discuss things like food (can she eat whatever is in your house or do you expect her to bring a lunch), phone (long distance), tv (do you mind if the Today show is on while she's feeding your son breakfast), car (will you provide her one or can she take him in her own), nap time (do you care if she naps on the couch while your son sleeps)
Try to think outside the box when interviewing...give scenarios of what would you do if...
Also, she should be nonjudgmental of your parenting style, even if she would do things differently, it's your child.
The family I worked for was great. They thanked me often, and never assumed I could work extra days or hours, they always asked me ahead of time (I was usually available anyway).
With the right person, it can be a wonderful child care option for all of you. Good luck!!!

Answer 2

If you can afford it, contact a reputable nanny agency and get a qualified nanny. The agency will usually have guidelines of what you can and cannot ask nannies to do.

Usually nannies clean up after the kids and cook for the kids but if she's okay with it, you can ask for vacuuming (one floor) or light groceries (meaning not an entire week's worth but asking her to buy milk when you've run out is okay). They mostly just take care of kids (ergo nanny instead of housekeeper)

Nannies cost more than daycare but the quality of care is also higher. You will have to wait for your baby to arrive and see what you will need. For example, some babies don't sleep much and cry a lot. In this case, you should probably not ask your nanny to do any chores (also because you don't want a grumpy nanny!) but if your baby is asleep 4-6 hours out of 10 , you could probably ask her to vacumn and maybe prepare dinner as well as clean the baby's room or iron the clothes (ONLY the baby's clothes. Never the parents) - basically anything baby-related is okay. Or you can say no housework but lower pay .

The rate depends where you live so.. In London, the rate for a live-in is 350-450 pounds a week as well as room and board. I think the rate is lower in the US. If the nanny is inexperienced and generally uneducated, you could offer $200/week? If she has tons of experience and possess childcare and cpr certificates, you should start at $500 a week

Answer 3

I have worked as a Nanny for many years now.I currently have a live in position. I watch 3 children for 45-48 hours a week with occasional weekend evenings. The parents never go away without the children except on these week end evenings(one night a week). I do the daily basic cleaning for the family- I make sure dishes are done before they come home, that the living room is picked up and toy free, that the children are dressed so they can go most places. I take the children to Girl Scouts, Boys Scouts, soccer, ballet and piano. And I make sure their rooms are kept clean- the children clean their own rooms, I supervise.

I make $240 a week plus room and board. Have my evenings and most of the week end off. My employers pay unemployment and taxes so I can be sure of income should one of them lose their job or something.

I love my job but sometimes its hard because I dont have my own home and always must follow the rules of the house I live in -rather than setting my own.
I would say for a nanny to come in and watch your child and do small amount of light housekeeping will cost anywhere from 200 to 400 dollars a week depending on where you live you might even find it cheaper. Check this person out thoroughly!!! Best even to check at an agency which will screen them - better safe than sorry when it come to your child!!


I came back on here to say that the first answer intrigued me - If you have a room at your workplace to make a play room it might just work to have the child with you rather than pay for child care. Or get a sitter who comes there and entertains the child while you work nearby!! Less worry for you and more able to spend time with your baby. Or if you have employees try to work a deal for all the children to be cared for near your work -supply child care as an incentive or perk!

Answer 4

I was a nanny for two years to a 2 month old little boy. The reason I stopped was because her husband got a better job and she decided to stay home with her little boy. I would take care of him, and during his naps which were two hours long, I would tidy up any messed I made, as well as sometimes sweeping, doing the babies laundry, or doing some dishes. One time she asked me to organize her garage which I thought was taking it a little far! But any duties such as sweeping, moping, cleaning bathrooms or kids room . . are things that a nanny will be asked to do. I live in Maryland, and got paid $11.00 per hour. I usually worked an 8 hour day, from 8:30am-3:30pm, or sometimes 4:30. I found my family on a website called www.craigslist.com. They list the state and city you are from on the right. Then you go to the childcare section. There are also some good websibes you can find by typing in nanny job on google. Before going to my job interview, the family asked me to bring a resume as well as 3 or 4 references. I'm sure whoever you will hire will love your little baby ! ! Goodluck.

Answer 5

I was a nanny for several years as well, and it was a wonderful job. I was expected to clean up any dishes/messes we created, as well as some occasional light duty cleaning. Usually just a handful of dishes in the sink, or vacuuming and supervising the girls cleaning their room.

The key here is not to take advantage of your nanny. I picked the kids up from school, did homework with them, and took them to their various dance/music lessons. Mom and Dad always fed them dinner, and almost always picked them up from dance/music lessons. Occasionally they would ask me to pull the chicken out of the freezer, or stay an hour later, but that was very rare, and they always tried to ask for special favors in advance.

It was a wonderful experience that I wouldn't trade for the world. They were thoughtful and loving parents who were very appreciative of the time and attention I showered on their girls. I was paid $8.00 an hour, plus "mileage" for time traveled with the girls. This was 9 years ago, so I am sure the cost is up to $10 or $11 now.

If you set clear guidlines on what your nanny is allowed, or not allowed to do, it will be best for all involved. For instance, I was required to feed the girls healthy meals, their homework HAD to be done by 5:00, and I was welcome to eat anything the girls did. We never left the house without consent from a parent, and I was not allowed to have visitors.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Answer 6

i grow to be a SAHM and grew to become a nanny. i could no longer return to my old job because of the fact my son grow to be a preemie or perhaps at a 300 and sixty 5 days-old nonetheless have been given unwell easliy (He nonetheless does at 3 a million/2) so i desperate to look for a nanny job. What the human beings regarded for when I interviewed grow to be somebody that could handle their newborn like they dealt with their very own. I had background tests accomplished. additionally they observed how I interacted with my very own son. Day care centers are no longer continually nicely staffed and babies/infants are not getting the attention that they choose, and that they get unwell extra many times than infants that are cared for by their mom and dad or a nanny. Nannies have extra of a accountability than a SAHM. I took the infants to their events, library, park, or perhaps to my son's Mommy and Me instructions, infants concert events, newborn's museums, zoo, etc. I made approximately $seven hundred a month (that grow to be under the table)

Answer 7

If you have your own office...take your baby with you. Set aside an area for him, etc. Then you will know he is safe and well cared for. Your clients wouldn't mind at all. This would be good bonding for you.