Starting to Look for Nanny in the McLean/Tysons area for January

[Anonymous]

Hello I will be having my first child in November, and plan to return to work sometime after the new year. I would like to start getting my childcare lined up. I am completely new to this, so do most people just start calling agencies? Also, is now too early for January? Also, any idea for the approximate monthly cost for a live-out nanny from an agency to care for one infant? Hours would be regular business hours. Thank you so much for any info you can provide. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.

[Anonymous]

It depends on the agency, nanny's experience and which additional tasks you expect the nanny to do. Hourly rate for one child could be anywhere from $15-25. No, it's not too early to put feelers out through an agency. Keep in mind that most nannies are available in the ffall when their charges enter pre-k or kindergarten, so your options will be much slimmer in january. If you can swing it, you might have better luck by hiring the nanny to start and help get the nursery around the week before you are due.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends on the agency, nanny's experience and which additional tasks you expect the nanny to do. Hourly rate for one child could be anywhere from $15-25. No, it's not too early to put feelers out through an agency. Keep in mind that most nannies are available in the ffall when their charges enter pre-k or kindergarten, so your options will be much slimmer in january. If you can swing it, you might have better luck by hiring the nanny to start and help get the nursery around the week before you are due.

Typical bad agency advice. Or did you miss that OP doesn't need a nanny until Dec/Jan?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It depends on the agency, nanny's experience and which additional tasks you expect the nanny to do. Hourly rate for one child could be anywhere from $15-25. No, it's not too early to put feelers out through an agency. Keep in mind that most nannies are available in the ffall when their charges enter pre-k or kindergarten, so your options will be much slimmer in january. If you can swing it, you might have better luck by hiring the nanny to start and help get the nursery around the week before you are due.

Typical bad agency advice. Or did you miss that OP doesn't need a nanny until Dec/Jan?

I am a nanny, and I firmly believe that agencies are a waste of money. With that said, Op is a ftm, and her first gut instinct is agency over doing the legwork herself. So, yes, I recommended that she get as much help from the nanny as possible, because the nanny won't be overwhelmed with the child.

[Anonymous]

I'm a mom with a nanny and think you're WAY too early. Eight weeks before you'll want someone to start is the time to begin looking.

[Anonymous]

OP here thank you for your advice. I agree that it is too early to search for a specific nanny, but I was thinking of contacting agencies. Has anyone worked with an agency that they liked in this area? Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here thank you for your advice. I agree that it is too early to search for a specific nanny, but I was thinking of contacting agencies. Has anyone worked with an agency that they liked in this area? Thank you.

What would be your top three priorities in a nanny?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a mom with a nanny and think you're WAY too early. Eight weeks before you'll want someone to start is the time to begin looking.

Another MB here and I agree with every word of this. Though it isn't too early to get active on your neighborhood listserv. My best nanny referrals, without question, came from other mothers in my neighborhood. Start meeting your neighbors and tell them you'll be looking for a nanny in early/mid-winter. Then start looking seriously once you've had the baby.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I am just looking for a reliable nanny who will provide high-quality care. I would want someone knowledgeable in first aid, but I don't need any special qualifications beyond that.