We hired a part time nanny through Care.com to pick up and watch just one kid after school, from 3:15-5pm, gauranteeing $300 week (so about $34/hr). She was one of several candidates who seemed somewhat promising.
Biggest concern is that she'll leave for another job with more hours, but I was happy with the level of response that I got from my ad that I think we should be able to find someone else without too much issue if/when that happens.

Almost impossible. I only have half time because she was full time and started to work for my friend who also needs part time care.

We’ve had a few but none of them last. I have had luck finding them on Care.com and Facebook groups but something always seems to come up as other posters have mentioned - better job that pays more or gives more hours, change in class schedule for college age, etc. I don’t think you will find someone who sticks for $30/hr, we have paid $35 for 2 kids and it seems like we’re hours command even more.

If you need someone reliable because you’re working and can’t be scrambling I would say this is not the best option.

Our children are in school almost the whole day and my family tried a part time nanny with a part time salary. But they would leave as soon as they found a full-time job or just didn't take our job seriously, e.g., came in late, called off, just didn't give a ****, all of which i completely understand btw.

We couldn't accept the disruptions so we eventually settled on paying a part-time nanny the equivalent of a crappy full time salary.

Yes, difficult to find, but not impossible. Many folks will agree to a part time schedule to get in the door while they search for a better fitting full time job. The one nanny we ended up with for a full year was not as reliable as I would have liked so it was very hard to schedule appointments on the days she was scheduled to be here. Given the limited hours she was with us each week (versus her other families), she would often call out on us. I understand from her perspective but as soon as my child was preschool age, I put them in school for more reliable care.

Anonymous wrote:For those of you with part time nannies (either half days or full days but not all week) how hard was it to find someone? I am considering a job offer that would put me in the office part time, flexible schedule, and I would need childcare either two full days a week or half days five days a week. I am in NW DC and would budget $30/hr for two children. I am nervous it will be hard to find a nanny looking for PT work so I am curious others experiences with it.

Would the half days be mornings or afternoons? If you want a nanny in the mornings you may be able to find another family who needs just afternoons (afterschool) and share. The afternoon family might try to claim full days for the "teacher work days" or other random days off school (I see that in nanny-seeking ads a lot) so you'll want to make it clear from the beginning whether or not that can work for you.

Could you use daycare 2 days a week?

It was very hard. We had two during one school year, and both were great— but both left within 2 months. One because of a schedule change that made our specific situation not work out anymore, and the other because she got a much-needed full time job instead.

Sometimes you can find a unicorn who is either a student with a flexible schedule (the best candidate, probably) or a nanny who is working a part time job that exactly matches to your need, but it is pretty difficult! And schedules change. In comparison, we were inundated with interest when we hired a full time nanny.

For those of you with part time nannies (either half days or full days but not all week) how hard was it to find someone? I am considering a job offer that would put me in the office part time, flexible schedule, and I would need childcare either two full days a week or half days five days a week. I am in NW DC and would budget $30/hr for two children. I am nervous it will be hard to find a nanny looking for PT work so I am curious others experiences with it.