Hiring a Nanny while waiting for Day care Lists

[Anonymous]

We are expecting this spring and are on numerous lists at daycares. I can hold out leave wise until the end of September, though we are shooting to be in daycare before then. In the event that it doesn't work out, we are looking to hire a nanny. How far ahead should I start interviewing if we won't know for certain that we'll need one and when. Also, if we get off of a waitlist at at least some of the centers, we would rather do that than nanny. What should I disclose at the time-- would a contract have to be for a certain amount of time. I know there are services with temporary nannies, but it may not wind up being temporary.

[Anonymous]

No nanny worth her stuff is desperate enough to take a job so up in the air. Decide what it is you really want, try to firm up your plans, and if you decide to hire a nanny figure out how to make your temporary position desireable. Be it signing a contract for a specific amount of time, offering a monetary inventive at the end of the job, or offering to help find another position when you don't need her anymore.

[Anonymous]

Use a service

[Anonymous]

I think you are a LONG way away from thinking about hiring a nanny, but if you end up going that route your timing will be perfect. In my experience lots of nannies turn over at the end of the summer when kids hit the age for pre-school or regular school. So I wouldn't even worry about it until July or even August - by which time you may know about the daycare situation.