Temporary Nanny

[Anonymous]

I'm expecting a second child in August, and our potential daycare won't have a spot available until January. Child #1 would still be in his preschool until 6p, and I'm normally home in time to pick him up, so it would maybe be a week with both kids at the most (then a 4 month old and a 3 year old). I only have leave through November. I'm wondering if a temporary nanny position would be of interest (Nov & Dec), with potential for babysitting after, or if most nannies would prefer something permanent.

Are there other things I should be considering before I begin seeking someone who might be interested in this time frame? Are there tax issues/pay check issues to consider, or is this short enough that babysitting rules apply. Would this being close to holidays pose a problem as well? Because I'm using up every smidge of vacation for my maternity leave, my holiday time off will be pretty limited to likely two days around each holiday, and not sure yet what DH would get.

I've never hired a nanny before, so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Nanny here. I fear you're going to have trouble finding someone who would commit to the entire two months. Best case scenario is you find a nanny with another job already lined up to start in January, who needs to fill the gap in employment. If your temp nanny does not having something concrete lined up for the new year, then at any point either during her employment with you, or leading up to it, she may choose to quit and work for any other family who might offer her a more permanent job. Most nannies will not find "the potential for babysitting" afterwards appealing at all (since most of us already have more families who want us for weekend babysitting than we are able to or care to accommodate).

Because you really need someone who can commit for the full two months, you should offer a bonus at the end of the employment period, as incentive for your temp nanny to stay the whole time. Make sure she knows this up front, and make it worthwhile; no less than $500 ($1000 would be better).

Will you be offering guaranteed hours/wages, even for weeks that including thanksgiving and Christmas when you might not need her the entire week? Most nannies will expect guaranteed pay, even when you don't need them, especially for such a short job.

Lastly, make sure the pay you offer is truly competitive. I know you say your three year old is in preschool, but preschools tend to be closed A LOT, especially around the holidays, and also three year olds tend to get sick, especially in winter. Your pay needs to reflect the possibility that nanny may be responsible for both an infant and a toddler; no less than $16/hr at the absolute minimum (you'll get not only better candidates, but also a nanny who is more committed to the job if you offer closer to $22/hr). And please don't forget that you are legally obligated to pay overtime at time and a half for any hours worked over 40 in one week.

If you find someone who has a job lined up for January, offer competitive wages, guaranteed weekly pay, and a good bonus for staying through the end of December, you'll set yourself up for a good experience!

[Anonymous]

I was in a similar situation & advertised my needs on care.com or sittercity (can't remember which) and got a great temporary nanny (she was pregnant).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nanny here. I fear you're going to have trouble finding someone who would commit to the entire two months. Best case scenario is you find a nanny with another job already lined up to start in January, who needs to fill the gap in employment. If your temp nanny does not having something concrete lined up for the new year, then at any point either during her employment with you, or leading up to it, she may choose to quit and work for any other family who might offer her a more permanent job. Most nannies will not find "the potential for babysitting" afterwards appealing at all (since most of us already have more families who want us for weekend babysitting than we are able to or care to accommodate).

Because you really need someone who can commit for the full two months, you should offer a bonus at the end of the employment period, as incentive for your temp nanny to stay the whole time. Make sure she knows this up front, and make it worthwhile; no less than $500 ($1000 would be better).

Will you be offering guaranteed hours/wages, even for weeks that including thanksgiving and Christmas when you might not need her the entire week? Most nannies will expect guaranteed pay, even when you don't need them, especially for such a short job.

Lastly, make sure the pay you offer is truly competitive. I know you say your three year old is in preschool, but preschools tend to be closed A LOT, especially around the holidays, and also three year olds tend to get sick, especially in winter. Your pay needs to reflect the possibility that nanny may be responsible for both an infant and a toddler; no less than $16/hr at the absolute minimum (you'll get not only better candidates, but also a nanny who is more committed to the job if you offer closer to $22/hr). And please don't forget that you are legally obligated to pay overtime at time and a half for any hours worked over 40 in one week.

If you find someone who has a job lined up for January, offer competitive wages, guaranteed weekly pay, and a good bonus for staying through the end of December, you'll set yourself up for a good experience!

I will add that you have to pay taxes if your nanny makes over $1,900 for the quarter, and if you need 6 40 hour weeks, minimum pay $15/hr, you're already looking at $3,600, so yes, you need to get an EIN well before you need the nanny to start.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Thanks for this! Very helpful to know as we start planning. Please, any other ideas/thoughts?

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm a nanny working in a share (3 months old babies at the start - January 2014) and my MB will be on maternity leave October- December (the other family is leaving in September) so I'm looking for extra hours during this time. How can I contact you?

[Anonymous]

PP, you can reach me at Courtneysieloff at gmail dot com. I'd love to chat with you and see if this might be a good fit!