Transitioning to Part-Time Daycare/PK

[Anonymous]

We currently have a nanny but are thinking we'd like to do part-time daycare or pre-k in the next year or so in order to provide more socialization for my son. What do people typically do when they would still want part-time care from a nanny? Is this a common thing and the nanny is likely to be flexible or do you usually need to find someone new who wants part-time hours?

We couldn't afford to keep paying for 40-hours a week for the nanny and a PK program, which I know could be an issue. Our nanny doesn't drive (gets dropped off and picked up by a relative every day) so I'm also worried that I'd need to make time in my work day for pickup. I'm nervous to bring it up to our nanny because she tends to jump to conclusions or worst-case scenarios, so I was wondering if anyone else could share their experience.

[Anonymous]

Hold on to your nanny for dear life if you can at all swing it.

The part time nanny world is BRUTAL. High turn over rates, constant conflicting schedules with other jobs (no flexibility), because they will work another job they aren't available for back up care, sick days, no school days. What will you do in summer? Last year our first year prek DD was out for no school days, holidays, teacher institute dates, breaks, and sick days 24 days. Letting our amazing FT nanny go was the worst mistake we've ever made as parents.

[Anonymous]

I'd choose a 3 morning/week preschool and keep your full time nanny. 3 morning/week preschool isn't all that expensive. BUT - you have to get busy on this because those nursery schools tend to fill at this time of year, and fast.

[Anonymous]

Pay your nanny better if is part time

[Anonymous]

You need to keep your nanny FT and maintain her pay (ie continue to increase it with time) in addition to PT school or you need to go full daycare if you can't afford that. Or you can enter the PT nanny search and pair that with PT school, but as others have said, it might be harder to find reliable, quality childcare. If you and partner have very flexible work / don't work that could be the other way of doing PT school. You don't get to dock your nanny's pay or hours just because you're adding a couple hours a week in an enrichment program into the mix.

[Anonymous]

There are also 2-day morning preschool programs. That might be more affordable, and then you can shift your nanny’s hours so they are still consistent and at 40hours a week. Not worth losing a good nanny IMO. Toddlers at 2 or 3 don’t absolutely need preschool. My nanny socializes my toddler plenty with other kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We currently have a nanny but are thinking we'd like to do part-time daycare or pre-k in the next year or so in order to provide more socialization for my son. What do people typically do when they would still want part-time care from a nanny? Is this a common thing and the nanny is likely to be flexible or do you usually need to find someone new who wants part-time hours?

We couldn't afford to keep paying for 40-hours a week for the nanny and a PK program, which I know could be an issue. Our nanny doesn't drive (gets dropped off and picked up by a relative every day) so I'm also worried that I'd need to make time in my work day for pickup. I'm nervous to bring it up to our nanny because she tends to jump to conclusions or worst-case scenarios, so I was wondering if anyone else could share their experience.

Well, how likely do you think it is that the nanny's landlord will also "be flexible" about the rent your nanny pays? Or the grocery store will "be flexible" with your nanny and what they charge for basic groceries? If you nanny wants to go to a concert or pro sports game, do you think the ticket vendor will "be flexible" with her regarding the price she has to pay for tickets?

Are you able to convince the landlord, grocery stores, and all other entities that could possibly come up in your nanny's life to "be flexible" and make special price accommodations just for her, because of YOUR decision to send your kid to part time pre-school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We currently have a nanny but are thinking we'd like to do part-time daycare or pre-k in the next year or so in order to provide more socialization for my son. What do people typically do when they would still want part-time care from a nanny? Is this a common thing and the nanny is likely to be flexible or do you usually need to find someone new who wants part-time hours?

We couldn't afford to keep paying for 40-hours a week for the nanny and a PK program, which I know could be an issue. Our nanny doesn't drive (gets dropped off and picked up by a relative every day) so I'm also worried that I'd need to make time in my work day for pickup. I'm nervous to bring it up to our nanny because she tends to jump to conclusions or worst-case scenarios, so I was wondering if anyone else could share their experience.

Families who keep the same nanny either turn the position isn't a household manager or housekeeper combo role, or they pay the same rate and outsource all admin tasks like sourcing birthday party gifts for child's friends, booking (or at least researching) summer camps, etc.

[Anonymous]

just ask her if she wants to switch to part time, maybe she will be happy to.