Reasonable expectations for a nanny.

[Anonymous]

We’re hiring our first nanny in October and wondering what reasonable expectations are for her position. It will be one two month old. We’re able to pay $30 an hour for 40 hours a week. We have a housekeeper so no cleaning beyond baby stuff (laundry, keeping closets and drawers up to date, putting away toys and making fresh baby food/meals when she’s ready). We do want a fluent English speaker (reading and writing) with some college and experience.

I work from home and will feed the baby.

I have a real problem with anyone being late and needless drama. Reliability is paramount.

[Anonymous]

At $30 you should be very clear that you expect punctuality. Good babies will be turned off by the fact that you work at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At $30 you should be very clear that you expect punctuality. Good babies will be turned off by the fact that you work at home.

No, not all good nannies. I was hesitant about taking a job with a work-from-home- mom but it’s worked out great (3.5 years and counting). It all depends on the parent

[Anonymous]

Generally, I would advise hiring an older nanny without dependent kids at home. You’ll get less drama and fewer schedule disruptions.

It is absolutely not u reasonable to expect an employee to be reliable and on time. Again, older people seem to get this.

[Anonymous]

you need to have a clear understanding about:

- taxes (not paying/reporting them is a crime on both your ends)
- time off
- odd hours (evening, etc if you want a date night
- holidays including all the smaller federal holidays
- other stipends like gas
- taking the baby out once a toddler
- driving

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:you need to have a clear understanding about:

- taxes (not paying/reporting them is a crime on both your ends)
- time off
- odd hours (evening, etc if you want a date night
- holidays including all the smaller federal holidays
- other stipends like gas
- taking the baby out once a toddler
- driving

Yes to all the above. It’s very important to look for a nanny who understands that her job will change as the baby gets older. Establish a clear understanding of the nanny’s responsibilities when he/she is an active toddler.

[Anonymous]

OP, there will be no time for closets, etc, with 2 month old. It will be feedings, diaper changes, naps/rocking, and in those rare moments when baby is asleep for 45 min, you want your nanny to run and do laundry and stuff? so when the baby wakes up, she is already exhausted? I promise, best she will be able to do is to wash the dirty bottles she has used during the day, and picking up toys and stuff. There will be no time unless you are fine with baby crying while nanny calmly is organizing a closet, LOL

[Anonymous]

pp here. To continue, unless you want the nanny to run for it after couple of months, do not create extra work when there is already plenty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At $30 you should be very clear that you expect punctuality. Good babies will be turned off by the fact that you work at home.

Yes, you will only get fussy and non-potty trained babies. Good babies are in high demand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, there will be no time for closets, etc, with 2 month old. It will be feedings, diaper changes, naps/rocking, and in those rare moments when baby is asleep for 45 min, you want your nanny to run and do laundry and stuff? so when the baby wakes up, she is already exhausted? I promise, best she will be able to do is to wash the dirty bottles she has used during the day, and picking up toys and stuff. There will be no time unless you are fine with baby crying while nanny calmly is organizing a closet, LOL

Nanny here. With a work-from-home mother handling all the feedings, it’s definitely doable. At two months old, they take a long time to feed.

[Anonymous]

at some point, you will start handling feeding and they will still want you to do the extra stuff. Been there, done that. The duties will keep snowballing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:at some point, you will start handling feeding and they will still want you to do the extra stuff. Been there, done that. The duties will keep snowballing.

Same nanny again, and I’ve done it twice too and it didn’t snowball. The naps were consolidated and I still had plenty of time to do all child related chores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:at some point, you will start handling feeding and they will still want you to do the extra stuff. Been there, done that. The duties will keep snowballing.

Same nanny again, and I’ve done it twice too and it didn’t snowball. The naps were consolidated and I still had plenty of time to do all child related chores.

+1. Another nanny here who had no problem with those responsibilities at any point. But if the nanny does feel overwhelmed, always let her know you’re open to adjusting her duties.

[Anonymous]

Baby laundry seems like overkill, unless it’s a one-off diaper explosion or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Baby laundry seems like overkill, unless it’s a one-off diaper explosion or something.

Really? Our nanny has always done the kids laundry. She’s the one who set it as her responsibility.