What to pay nanny when kids go to part time preschool?

[Anonymous]

I would get paid while the kids were in preschool. There were things like laundry to do, groceries to buy, toys to clean up, etc..etc.. And preschools always seem to be closing for some teacher day or holiday. What will you do for those days? And if your child is sick? Your nanny is there to take care of them. There are ways to work this situation without deducting her pay.

[Anonymous]

Another option is to find a preschool with extended day and on the days they are in preschool, they could be there all day? That way maybe the nanny could more easily find a family to work for on the full days she does not work for you. Not sure if you're open to leaving the kids at preschool for a full day but it's an idea! I'm mulling the same thing over in my head for next year...

[Anonymous]

OP, our situation is very similar - two year old twins who I would like to have in a 2 day program within the next year, but full time nanny also.

I think our plan is to keep the nanny full time and then figure out what we can afford to do that's additional in the way of preschool and socialization stuff.

It will be tough, for sure. But the peace of mind with having our nanny always available in case of illness, etc... is pretty important to me.

[Anonymous]

First off, your nanny sounds awesome and has her shit together if she is caring for twins and doing so much housework. I'd be worried about finding someone who will do as much as she does without asking for more $$. Second, unless you allow her to find another job or pay her when your kids are in school than you will most likely lose her. Depending on her pay rate, I think she wouldn't have a problem finding a full time gig working for a different family even if she doesn't drive. She could start with infants have job security for another 2-3years.

[Anonymous]

I was a nanny for the same family for just over 8 years. Kids went to various day programs...preschool, then elementary school. There were large blocks of time I had no direct care of the children. I ran errands if it was needed, did some light housekeeping, walked the dog, or did my own errands. They never had any intention of NOT paying me for that time. They wanted me to stay, so I was there for their convenience and for the sake of their children and the continuity of care. I quit when the youngest was beginning kindergarten and my own child needed more stability in her own neighborhood. Sadly, they went through 6 nannies in the next 8 years. This is extremely hard on children to lose caregivers and make all of those changes. They lose some of the security and stable attachments in their lives in the form of their secondary caregivers. My employers were more than willing to pay for the option to have me available should schedule change, kids get sick and need someone home all day for them, school closed days, or any other number of reasons. They knew I had bills and a life to sustain by working for them. This a "luxury" nanny boss's pay for. If not, find other care options where you are not the boss/employer (like a center or home childcare) and be at the mercy of their complete rule set.

[Anonymous]

OP, are you still out there? I'm looking for a nanny share for just a couple mornings/afternoons a week. Depending on your twins' school schedule, this might work out perfectly.

[Anonymous]

Wow, 10:13, your situation sounds unbelievable.

You were the nanny for 8 years until the youngest was five. And you know they went through another 6 nannies in 8 years...so they had nannies until their youngest was 13?

Because continuity of care is so important?

Baffling, really. The parents should have saved their money and let you go earlier. It's simply nonsense to think that there is some issue about stable attachment issue, especially once a kid enters school, where they will enjoy the temporary attachment to many teachers and other caregivers and move on in a healthy way.

You sound a little over invested in your own importance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, 10:13, your situation sounds unbelievable.

You were the nanny for 8 years until the youngest was five. And you know they went through another 6 nannies in 8 years...so they had nannies until their youngest was 13?

Because continuity of care is so important?

Baffling, really. The parents should have saved their money and let you go earlier. It's simply nonsense to think that there is some issue about stable attachment issue, especially once a kid enters school, where they will enjoy the temporary attachment to many teachers and other caregivers and move on in a healthy way.

You sound a little over invested in your own importance.

You sound a little undereducated in child development. You can take a few courses if you're interested.

[Anonymous]

23:14 seems to me you a little, how do I say this? DUMB! This would explain why you sit behind a desk and play on the computer and fumble through papers all day.

Have you ever heard of separation anxiety? The sad thing is that parents like yourself lose the sense of importance when it comes to your children. You would rather go through 6 nannies in 3 years trying to find a cheaper way, or more convenient way, or a more cost saving way instead of thinking what is best for them. Children need stability.

I worked for a mom who had 3 nannies in 6 months because she was tryingto be a penny pincher and trying to keep up with the Jones's! Evry other wrek she was cutting hours and trying to cut pay. I got real tired of it and left right after her sister who was a teacher was on vacation for the summer (it was also a nanny share).

Having a nanny is a luxury and if you can't afford it then maybe you need to look at daycare centers or sit your ass at home yourself.

To OP, I also worked for a family that had twin 4 years in school 4 days a week and they still paid me for the hours I was not needed. Two of those days I started later because she was able to take them herself. She knew the importance of good childcare and was willing to pay. Of course I also went beyond my expectations and cleaned the house, do the laundry, occasionally make dinner without being asked as they were not part of my duties. I now occasionally babysit for them almost every weekend. I know she no longer has a nanny as they are in school full time, so I still help out with laundry and cleaning. She is still very generous and always tips anywhere between $30-$50. If you like her, do what you have to do to keep her but do not cut her pay.

[Anonymous]

10:17 sounds uneducated in child development but very skilled in deluding herself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:10:17 sounds uneducated in child development but very skilled in deluding herself.

How so, 11:04?

[Anonymous]

OP you could try emailing around your neighborhood to see if a SAHM or part time WAHM needs part time care. The other option for your nanny is that if she housecleans she could pick up 1-2 housekeeping kids in your area.