Could an experienced nanny handle a toddler plus baby twins?

[Anonymous]

I have an almost two year old and am expecting twins. We are most likely planning to send all three to the in-home daycare my DD attends now, which we like very much and which will have space for us. However, when we tell other parents this, most are surprised and say "wouldn't it be cheaper/better/easier to just hire a nanny?"

I've run the numbers and I think that, actually, the cost would be about the same (we'll pay about $42K a year for daycare for all three of them, in total). It would certainly be easier to not have to get all three kids out the door every day. However, it seems to me that a toddler plus baby twins would be a lot for anyone to handle, whether it be a nanny, an at-home parent, or anyone. The babies will be six months old when I go back to work and the toddler will be almost two and a half. I think the toddler might be bored at home all day with the babies and nanny, especially because I can't imagine the nanny would have much time to play and interact with her if she has to be caring for two infants as well. At least at DD's daycare there are three adults, and lots of other kids for her to play with.

We can't afford to hire a nanny for the twins PLUS daycare/preschool for the toddler.

So tell me, is my gut instinct correct? Should we stick with daycare for all three of them rather than switch to a nanny?

[Anonymous]

An experienced Nanny could do it. But I wouldn't for 42k.

[Anonymous]

Get a nanny if you find one you like. Trust your gut.

[Anonymous]

I've done it, nanny family oldest cd was 15mos when their twins were born. I started when ODC was 17mos and babies 2mos. That first year is a complete blur. I don't think I sat down once before the twinnies turned 1.
They were a young family and I was getting back into nannying after a 5yr hiatus. I was paid $2000 a month. Looking back it was practically slave labor wages (40-45hrs a week), plus I cooked dinner for the family every night, straightened the house every day, made all the baby food, and did a curriculum/art projects every week with ODC.
It is by far the job I have the fondest memories of. The youngest twin was my carbon copy shadow by the time I left. Now I watch her grow up in pictures on Facebook and it's been over a year since I've seen her or her siblings, but damn do I still love those kiddos like crazy. I miss them as much, too.

[Anonymous]

An experienced nanny can absolutely do it. I've had a similar situation and currently care for two 2yrs old and infant. I managed to get everyone out of the house to an activity daily. However, no experienced nanny is going to take on a job like that for 42k and that's before you consider taxes. I made just under 60k for 48hrs with three kids.
I'd stay with your home daycare that your like and trust.

[Anonymous]

42K is good or at least in my area.

Yes an experienced nanny could do it.

I you allow your nanny to go out of the house there is no reason an experienced nanny couldn't go out with all 3.

[Anonymous]

Are you in dc pp?

[Anonymous]

Pp who says it's good where do you live? I make 46k for 1 baby and 1 in school half of the day in Montgomery County

[Anonymous]

Trust your gut and put them in daycare. I was a preschool teacher and have been a nanny for a long time as well. I have experience in both arenas.I have taken care of three little ones all were around 1.2 were full time and one was part time. One mom got pregnant again, by then I had two toddlers and a baby and I was still able to teach them everything as well as take them places. Later on I took care of twins from 4 months until they were almost 4.I am pretty sure if an infant was was thrown in the mix then it wouldn't have worked.

In your situation your oldest is going to be bored and feel as though she is left out.You will also have peace of mind knowing they will be cared for properly in a day care setting, you should also be able to get some type of discount with all three being in that type of setting.
Good luck

[Anonymous]

If she's experienced, she can absolutely do it. Once she gets them on a good schedule, things will be able to go very smoothly.

[Anonymous]

This was/is my current job. When I started, the oldest was 28 months and the twins were 10 weeks old. The 2 year old was in day care when I started and they kept her in day care for 3 months so I could get accustomed with the twins and get them on a good schedule and then they took her out and I had her as well as the twins. I won't say it was easy because it wasn't but it was manageable. What helped was that 2 days a week, the grandmothers would take the 2 year old for half the day so that she could have one on one time and not have to always be sharing her attention with her twin sisters. The twins are now almost 2 and the oldest is almost 4 and it's completely manageable and actually fun. I personally wouldn't do it for $42k/year though. I'm not in DC but am close to Boston and I make $55k/year for 45-50 hours a week of work.

[Anonymous]

Nannies generally cost more than daycare and a lot more than an in home daycare. If you're in the school area you would be lucky to find a nanny just for the twins at $42,000 a year.

To answer your question though yes an experienced nanny could handle all 3 and even handle doing outings. Will you be able to handle all 3 and take all 3 out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you in dc pp?

I'm in Rhode Island 800 a week is considered good.

[Anonymous]

OP: have you considered part time preschool for the older kid? It is cheaper than day care because it is part time, but it will help the nanny a lot, and it will provide the older child with projects/art/music, whatever nanny can't provide while watching the younger twins. I have 3 kids (no twins) and preschool helped a lot I both child care and child development perspective.

[Anonymous]

I am the teacher/nanny who commented earlier. Finding a capable nanny is the clue, there is a big possibility that you won't find one.There are a lot of nannies out here that are just into it for a quick check. There is a big difference between a baby sitter and an excellent nanny. If your twins were the older ones and your daughter was the infant that would be easier in my opinion and experience.