Yes, it's absolutely reasonable to ask about the nanny's policy towards taking care of sick kids, and then put that in the contract. You should definitely discuss that in the interview. I don't remember ever discussing phone use. We pay $25 an hour, and this is in DC. $35 sounds excessive. We got lucky, but I would think $30 would get you what you want. We got her through word of mouth, which really feels like the best option. We answered a post on a neighborhood listserv from a mom who no longer needed her amazing nanny. Seems much, much more effective than parsing through care.com. Additionally - I think coming from a white-collar professional world, you've got to remember that what you interview for for an office job is VERY different than for a nanny. We interviewed a variety of good candidates - none of them had a resume that didn't look awful/full of typos (including our amazing nanny). Our nanny has only a high school diploma - no fancy education, no certifications, etc. She didn't always say the "right" thing in the interview. But at the end of the day, none of that matters. She's a career nanny. She's been with several families, each for at least three years (beyond one cut short by a pandemic-induced move, that's the one we got her from), most for more like 5-7 years, she speaks absolutely glowingly about her previous charges, just lights up when she talks about them. She's still in contact with most of them (and occasionally babysits on weekends). Her references were, without exception, glowing. You're not paying her to write memos and sit in meetings. Remember that when you're interviewing. |
Me again. I would also just add - make sure there's exceptions for when the kids are napping. Our nanny spends most of nap time on her phone, either talking, or otherwise engaged, and I'm fine with that! She should do whatever she wants during nap time, as long as she's got the monitor. And I certainly don't mind if she like checks a text when the kids are otherwise engaged. You don't want to be so draconian that you come off as a micromanager before there's even a problem. |
| DH and I both grew up with a nanny and my mother had a governess. I’m still in touch with my childhood nanny and DH spoke at his nanny’s funeral. I love having a nanny for my child. My kids will be in school for the rest of their childhoods so it’s lovely for them to have one warn, nurturing presence to give them one-on-one attention for the first few years. |
I am in total agreement about micromanaging but I also want to be super up front about expectations so I don't waste anyone's time, including mine. Honestly, I didn't care what our first nanny did during her down time - our nanny used to chat on the phone with friends and family and as long as she didn't mind my walking around the kitchen briefly to grab lunch/got the 10 minutes of bottle washing done, we were all good. That being said, that was a $25/hour nanny for one child. For $35/hour, that's a 2 kid rate with a LOT more work, and that's why we're raising the salary. My toddler will only be in school part time, and I'd expect the nanny to do all meals (and healthy meals), as well as manage both kids' toys/laundry. It's a much harder job, and there will be significantly less downtime because there's significantly more to do, although I would definitely ensure a legally mandated half hour break. I don't want to get a nanny who thinks they will have 1.5 hours to do nothing all day, because if having two little ones was that easy, I would just stay home (sort of kidding, I make too much for that unfortunately). I also expect there to be academically challenging and developmentally appropriate learning happening with the toddler. Maybe those expectations are too high, and in that case, I'd rather not deal with managing an employee/having someone in my home. I just don't think anyone with just a high school diploma will cut it, unfortunately, though that was perfectly fine for one infant. FWIW, I'd never ask for a resume from a candidate - just references. |
You are precisely the type of nanny I would hate to have in my home. Luckily, the two of us would never cross paths. |
Same. My old nanny was one of the first people to see our new baby! If you never had a good nanny, you can’t imagine the love and closeness. My mom and my old nanny are still best friends. There is no question that we will have a nanny for our soon-to-be baby. |
These are the kinds of relationships I want to have with our nanny! So lovely! My best friend named her daughter after a nanny she had in Scotland. They’re still very close. |
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I find your post really weird OP.
Why in the world do you pretend that your son is not your own while at the park??! That is like one of the craziest things I have ever heard of!!!! And it appears that your mind is already made. Your opinion (negative) regarding Nannies is simply passive-aggressive at best. You totally should choose daycare because it is obvious from your post that you already are very skeptical of finding a good Nanny. You seem to have some personal opinions of the Nanny profession which would be so unfair to any Nanny. So to answer your question…..->> choose daycare for sure! |
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I think the OP is definitely a phony.
Her post plus responses are pretty clearly from a troll. |
OP here. Honestly I was hoping for mature responses from nannies/WFH parents including value-add tasks they perform and activities that a daycare would not be able to provide demonstrating that I could find someone worth the money, because I really can afford whatever. I think after reading the responses on the nanny search board the nannies posting here are simply not those I would be happy with. As an employer offering a very high rate, I’m looking for someone trying to keep the job and impress me, not the other way around. I think it bugs nannies that I’d prefer daycare to an entitled nanny because it devalues their profession - I get that. Some of the parents posting here have been very helpful though so thank you all. On that note, I’ve gotten everything I need to make my decision, so I’m out. And sorry, not a troll. Just a relatively experienced with childcare rich as hell working mom. |
You received a lot of good, honest responses from mothers who employ and love their nannies (mine was one them). You’re ignoring them and continuing to trash nannies. If you aren’t a troll, you aren’t reading your responses. There is nothing wrong with daycare. Send your child to a daycare. |
And you did receive mature responses from those of us who WFH with a good nanny!!! What the f do you want, OP? We all think you’re either a troll or a very poor reader. |
FFS. See bolded. |
FFS, you took absolutely nothing in. It’s clear you posted just to trash nannies. Anyway, you made your decision and are sending your kid to daycare. No one cares, OP. This is a forum for nannies and employers of nannies. Go to the daycare forum now. |
Who appointed you board monitor? |