Twin mom thinking ahead: get a new nanny or start daycare/nursery school?

[Anonymous]

I have 18 month old twins. I work PT from home, and have a nanny come while I work. It's great for the ease and flexibility. But sometimes I sense the nanny and twins are a little bored (I don't let the nanny drive them). They go for walks, play outside, do activities inside. Regardless, I think my nanny is going to leave us in the next 6-12 months to open her own daycare once she buys a house with her new husband. I'm wondering what I should plan to do then--get another nanny or enroll them in daycare? Will they be ready for nursery school/preschool? (they'll be 2 or 2.5) WTH is the difference between daycare and nursery school anyway? The twins get some social interaction from each other but certainly not what they'd get in a group setting, although the 2:1 ratio at home is nice. If you had twins, when did you switch from nanny to something else?

[Anonymous]

Why can't the nanny drive them?

[Anonymous]

Why on earth can't the nanny drive you children?

[Anonymous]

Oy.

[Anonymous]

I had twins. At 2 we sent them to 5-day, half-day preschool and had an au pair collect them in the afternoon, because I work FT. It was great. They got to play and socialize and still have time at home.

Daycare generally refers to care that goes from 9-5 (or whatever) and may have a preschool curriculum in it for kids 2+. The one thing we found with twins was that day care for 2 didn't make as much sense as a nanny or au pair. It was cheaper for us to do preschool + au pair.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I wasn't expecting this thread to be about why the nanny can't drive my children. Do I really need to answer that in order to get answers to my question?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I wasn't expecting this thread to be about why the nanny can't drive my children. Do I really need to answer that in order to get answers to my question?

Yes. If you give us the answer, we will be able to tell you whether you'll actually be able to find another nanny.

[Anonymous]

How much coverage do you need, OP? What days/hours do you work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I wasn't expecting this thread to be about why the nanny can't drive my children. Do I really need to answer that in order to get answers to my question?

Well if she could drive the kids they might be able to get some socialization in a way that wouldn't disrupt your existing childcare arrangement, so I think yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I wasn't expecting this thread to be about why the nanny can't drive my children. Do I really need to answer that in order to get answers to my question?

Well if she could drive the kids they might be able to get some socialization in a way that wouldn't disrupt your existing childcare arrangement, so I think yes.

But it doesn't matter BC OP said the nanny is leaving anyhow.

[Anonymous]

OK, OP again. The nanny is here for 5 hours a day, only 3.5 of which the children are awake--which is from 8:30 to noon (they get a snack and lunch during that window as well). I personally find it extremely difficult and stressful to drive my twins to places like the library, museum, etc, and I don't expect my nanny to do what I don't do myself. I don't think the benefits outweigh the risk (of a crash, of two kids running in different directions, etc).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had twins. At 2 we sent them to 5-day, half-day preschool and had an au pair collect them in the afternoon, because I work FT. It was great. They got to play and socialize and still have time at home.

Daycare generally refers to care that goes from 9-5 (or whatever) and may have a preschool curriculum in it for kids 2+. The one thing we found with twins was that day care for 2 didn't make as much sense as a nanny or au pair. It was cheaper for us to do preschool + au pair.

OP here, thanks PP, this is helpful!

[Anonymous]

OP - we have 17 month old twins and are going through the same thing right now. We have a nanny 3 days a week and she doesn't drive so our options are limited. I really want to get the twins around other kids more. We need 3 full days of coverage, so most preschools are out as I need to be at work all day and they are only about 2 hours for 2 year olds. We are looking at part time daycare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK, OP again. The nanny is here for 5 hours a day, only 3.5 of which the children are awake--which is from 8:30 to noon (they get a snack and lunch during that window as well). I personally find it extremely difficult and stressful to drive my twins to places like the library, museum, etc, and I don't expect my nanny to do what I don't do myself. I don't think the benefits outweigh the risk (of a crash, of two kids running in different directions, etc).

Well, you are limiting their options but not allowing a nanny to drive. But let's put that aside for the moment.

Sounds like daycare or preschool would work well for you.

[Anonymous]

NP and just wanted to chime in that I didn't let our beloved, wonderful nanny drive the kids, either. She was a nervous driver (OMG, watching her parallel park) and, honestly, I was hyper aware of my kids' safety.

That said, we live in a dense, walkable neighborhood with like 15 parks within an easy walk, plus lots of activities. OP, are you more isolated?

Oh, and we kept our nanny until both kids were in FT school (3.5 and 5,5). Mostly because we love our nanny and couldn't bear to part with her, but also because having a nanny is sooo much more convenient.