Childcare in exchange for housing?

[Anonymous]

We have a full English basement that we’re willing to offer in exchange for a few hours a day of childcare. Has anyone successfully navigated this? How would we go about finding someone (college student or otherwise)? Au pair isn’t an option right now due to visas. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

You still have to pay a live in nanny.

[Anonymous]

Baltimore used to have a program called St. Ambrose Home Share that offered this type of arrangement. But it seems to have shifted to affordable rent rather than payment in kind.

[Anonymous]

Don’t do this. Family friend did this and it ended horribly with the nanny refusing to leave the house. She was considered a tenant with rights so she stayed and made her life hell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t do this. Family friend did this and it ended horribly with the nanny refusing to leave the house. She was considered a tenant with rights so she stayed and made her life hell.

+1 plus it is even harder to evict someone now. If you need a live in use a legitimate agency or program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t do this. Family friend did this and it ended horribly with the nanny refusing to leave the house. She was considered a tenant with rights so she stayed and made her life hell.

+1 plus it is even harder to evict someone now. If you need a live in use a legitimate agency or program.

That’s what I’m looking for - legitimate programs!

[Anonymous]

Hi there-

This actually sounds like it could be an excellent option for our part-time nanny! She is with us three days a week (T/W/Th) and is looking to work for another family (M/F, evenings, weekends) in exchange for discounted rent.
We would preferably have someone living near our neighborhood (Capitol Hill) so that she could avoid taking public transportation during the pandemic.

If you're interested, let me know: rosenfeld dot sharon at gmail dot com.

Best,
Sharon

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a full English basement that we’re willing to offer in exchange for a few hours a day of childcare. Has anyone successfully navigated this? How would we go about finding someone (college student or otherwise)? Au pair isn’t an option right now due to visas. Thank you!

This is a galactically stupid idea.

[Anonymous]

It’s illegal.

[Anonymous]

A few hours a day is not reasonable without pay as how are they going to pay their living and other expenses. A few hours a day is a lot to ask for free care. Rent out the basement and pay for child care.

[Anonymous]

Horrible idea for the person getting the housing. What happens if they can't provide the childcare when their college schedule changes? They become homeless?

If I were the one moving in, I would INSIST on having a lease guaranteeing me housing.

[Anonymous]

A few hours a day...
So let's say 3 hours/5 days a week (I'm assuming you don't also want weekends?)

15 hours/week @ $25/hr=$375/week

Roughly 4.5 weeks per month...
So $1687.50/month

Do you think that's about the market value of your apartment?

Also consider the time of day you'd be asking for childcare: Would it be a consistent set schedule? Are they smack dab in the middle of the day to make it difficult for her to find another job, since she'll still have other expenses like food, entertainment, personal items, etc.
Will you truly be able to respect her "off time" and not pop in to ask to "just keep an eye on the kids" while you run an errand?

[Anonymous]

Some people have made this work but it can be tricky. The IRS hates this arrangement so if you have a clearance don’t do it.

[Anonymous]

I know someone who did this with her spouse while they were grad students. It worked. But it is a huge risk.

[Anonymous]

Does you jurisdiction allow non-relations to live with you. The town of Vienna does not.