How do nanny shares work?

[JDrake]

I'm looking to possibly start a nanny share but I don't know much about it. Does the employer typically pay for anything except an hourly fee? For example do employers pay the nannies health care, etc? How much is the cost for a typical nanny share in DC with 2 kids (my son will be 5 months)? Ive heard $15-20/hr for 2 kids. How does vacation time work (I'm assuming its paid)? Also what do you do if the nanny gets sick?

Also, any suggestions for questions to ask a prospective family in a nanny share and questions to ask a nanny when interviewing are appreciated. Thanks !

[Anonymous]

You may want to find some nannies who will do it for you and ask each one, all your questions. They should have done some successful shares. There are endless ways of doing them, and every nanny has her own way. She does need to get the normal employment benefits that you probably get.

[Anonymous]

Hi! I'm a nanny in a share for 2 Infant boys. My starting hourly rate was $17/hour, however I will say this is my first share and I've seen higher rates ($18-$20 starting) quoted as the norm.

The majority of my employers (3 out of 4) are federal employees and I was given all federal holidays as PTO, as well as 2 weeks vacation (one of which they choose) and 5 personal/sick/bad weather days. When I am sick, my employers work it out between the four of them who will cover for me and this has worked really well for us.

As far as what to look for in a potential family, its really important that you share similar parenting styles and communicate well with each other. Also you want to make sure you have similar expectations in mind for how the share will work, how long you'd like it to last, and how you will handle being employers together.

For your potential nanny, make sure to find someone whose style matches tht of your and your share partners. She needs to have the experience and stamina to handle two young children at once, as well as juggling the expectations and desires of 4 parents. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

The families that hire me expect me to do my best work. Not to cater to anyone's whim, parent nor child.

[Anonymous]

Good for you?

[Anonymous]

When you're new to the profession, fine, do whatever you're told to do. But after 5 or 10 years, what exactly have you learned?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi! I'm a nanny in a share for 2 Infant boys. My starting hourly rate was $17/hour, however I will say this is my first share and I've seen higher rates ($18-$20 starting) quoted as the norm.

The majority of my employers (3 out of 4) are federal employees and I was given all federal holidays as PTO, as well as 2 weeks vacation (one of which they choose) and 5 personal/sick/bad weather days. When I am sick, my employers work it out between the four of them who will cover for me and this has worked really well for us.

As far as what to look for in a potential family, its really important that you share similar parenting styles and communicate well with each other. Also you want to make sure you have similar expectations in mind for how the share will work, how long you'd like it to last, and how you will handle being employers together.

For your potential nanny, make sure to find someone whose style matches that of your and your share partners. She needs to have the experience and stamina to handle two young children at once, as well as juggling the expectations and desires of 4 parents. Good luck!

Agree with this poster 100%

To add:
When I started driving my charges regularly to classes like gymboree, I started receiving a monthly gas reimbursement.
Health insurance is a nice perk if you can swing it, but not necessary. I don't receive any money towards my health insurance.

As for vacation time: My contract calls for one month's notice. Since I tend to fly during my vacations, I book them much further out than one month. And unless there are specific dates I need to be somewhere, I try and work my vacation time around my employer's vacation time (summer, Christmas).

For sick days I try and call the night before. Both families have some backup care, but I try to avoid calling in sick unless it's something serious -- high fever, vomiting.
One day when I was sick, the moms from each family split up the day so they could get some work done from home.

[Anonymous]

14:55, do you have health insurance? How expensive is it on your own?

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the information! It's very helpful, especially the info on how you handle vacations, sick days and health care.

Out of curiousity, and my own preparation, what are the most common disciplining and parenting arguments that famies have in nanny shares?

[Anonymous]

No need for any arguments. You simply ask the nanny how she does things, and that's it. End of story. That's how it will be. If you don't like it, you had best not hire that nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for the information! It's very helpful, especially the info on how you handle vacations, sick days and health care.

Out of curiousity, and my own preparation, what are the most common disciplining and parenting arguments that famies have in nanny shares?

My experience with shares has taught me that the realities of sharing a nanny do not lend itself well to serious attachment parenting. For example sleep/crib training is a MUST, and sometimes your baby will have to wait to get their needs met as there is also another baby to care for.

[Anonymous]

Sort of like having a sibling....

[Anonymous]

Or maybe even a twin, if identical ages.

[Anonymous]

Lots of parents would think it's a good thing, not to always be the "only" child. Only child tend to have more difficulties when it's time to go to school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:14:55, do you have health insurance? How expensive is it on your own?

Yes, I do. I have a pretty basic plan -- a deductible I know I can meet should something terrible happen, covers my yearly gynecologist visits. Does not cover prescriptions. Though it did cover my flu shot, which I was surprised about.
It's runs around $125 a month.