Are good nannies more in demand than ever?

[Anonymous]

I’m not in DC but it seems like it’s a “seller’s market” right now. If you didn’t need a nanny until July, would you hire now just to get a great one? I’ve heard a few people talking about giving signing bonuses to hold a good nanny.

[Anonymous]

The great ones aren't available right now-they are still working.

[Anonymous]

But it might be a good time to buy a cow. After all it's a sellers market.

[Anonymous]

Isn't the best time often August/September when a new crop of kids enters school? Either kids who start full day preschool/PreK or K? Assuming school starts on time this year, I would assume this would be true this year as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The great ones aren't available right now-they are still working.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The great ones aren't available right now-they are still working.

In normal times I would agree with you but not now. Lots of parents will be losing their jobs and decide that one parent stay home. I also think the norm availability is going to shrink for newborns with many parents deciding against daycare due to the virus.

Who know, OP? Start looking now and see who is available. Can’t hurt.

[Anonymous]

There will be a lot of churn as people get laid off and have to let their nannies go, and others get fed up of working while watching their kids and decide to hire someone. I don’t think you need to look now. You can wait until late May or June. As long as you pay a market rate, you’ll find someone.

[Anonymous]

OP, these are strange times. None of us know what’s going to happen or what the right thing to do is.

If you’re willing to start her working early or give her a retainer, you could certainly start looking now and really take your time to find a great nanny.

[Anonymous]

I would, OP. Start looking now. Some people are saying that they will never reopen infant care in daycare centers due to this virus. Our only options will be small inhome infant care, nanny or nanny share.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would, OP. Start looking now. Some people are saying that they will never reopen infant care in daycare centers due to this virus. Our only options will be small inhome infant care, nanny or nanny share.

There’s also going to be more people waiting an extra year to start K, pre-K, etc. because they feel like their kids aren’t ready with all this time off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The great ones aren't available right now-they are still working.

This.

You can find an average nanny though.

[Anonymous]

There’s also going to be demand for nannies from people who intended to get an au pair but can’t now and likely won’t be able to for a while.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The great ones aren't available right now-they are still working.

This.

You can find an average nanny though.

Your nanny is likely average by many people’s standards. What matters most is fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would, OP. Start looking now. Some people are saying that they will never reopen infant care in daycare centers due to this virus. Our only options will be small inhome infant care, nanny or nanny share.

Or you could get laid off and chose none of those options

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would, OP. Start looking now. Some people are saying that they will never reopen infant care in daycare centers due to this virus. Our only options will be small inhome infant care, nanny or nanny share.

It is exceedingly unlikely that infant daycare won’t exist after this. Most people who do daycare will continue to do so and the demand should allow most to reopen. Massive unemployment might change that, but in those circumstances people aren’t going to be looking for a nanny either.