Sanity Check: How hard is it to find and keep an afterschool sitter/driver - 3:30-7pm daily?

[Anonymous]

We currently have an AP but our kids are becoming more and more independent and I'm questioning whether it makes sense to continue in the AP program. Looking ahead to next year when we'll have an 8th grader & 4th grader.

We'd need the following for afterschool:
- ideally: supervise/help 4th grader with homework
- drive both kids to/from activities
- supervise 4th grader playdates

I've seen neighbors struggle with finding good, reliable sitters who last for more than a semester. How hard is this to find? If we sweeten the deal pay-wise, are we more likely to find someone reliable? And what would a sweetened-deal pay-wise look like?

[Anonymous]

It must be hard - we have a full time nanny to avoid this - I feel like every fall a million people are looking for someone for that exact job

[Anonymous]

When I was in college and had morning classes that was the job I did - loved it, and stayed two years with each family. I was on guaranteed pay and we were both fairly flexible in terms of when I might need off for an exam, and I would try and be available if the kids were sick. However, one of the families had a grandmother (younger kids) who came for holidays, and the other family had 11yo and two 13yos so they just stayed on their own in the mornings and I came as usual in the pm.

[Anonymous]

I am a nanny and speak to countless nannies all the time. And what would get you and keep a good one with you for long is paying at least $700-800 a week plus benefits. You could work out something where she starts around 1:pm and ends at 6 or 7. Put in house keeping and laundry. Ask to pay her same in summer or when school are off and her time is longer to even it out. Also tell your kids and whole family to respect her. People don't realize but a nanny that accepts an after school gig if not a student ( who will finish school and leave soon) may be employed elsewhere part time so drama, or she is with you and looking for something else part time or full time. My two cents.

[Anonymous]

You can always find what you need, IF you can afford it.

[Anonymous]

As a nanny who's not a college student the way you could entice me to do the job is to team up with couple of other families who need similar hours and we all meet at someone's house for after school care. 2-3 families would together pay enough to make it worthwhile. Would the kids be able to do after school activities every day? No. Would they be fed and maybe some homework done? Probably.

[Anonymous]

You will get someone if you pay well. It is hard because most nannies need to be paid full time. Thus, if you can't, your pool is small to college students with morning schedules.

[Anonymous]

I hired a part time babysitter/nanny for this when I had four kids and two were infants/toddlers. The guy worked for my boyfriend at night, so he was free during the day and open to making some extra money. It worked out great.

[Anonymous]

Never say never.

However if you only need someone for 3.5 Hrs. a day, your best bet would be someone who resides close to your home.

How about a SAHM who has a child who also attends one of your children's schools?
She will likely be local since their child would be attending the same school.

I don't know the going rate in your area, but just make sure you include mileage, not just fuel costs into her salary.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a nanny and speak to countless nannies all the time. And what would get you and keep a good one with you for long is paying at least $700-800 a week plus benefits. You could work out something where she starts around 1:pm and ends at 6 or 7. Put in house keeping and laundry. Ask to pay her same in summer or when school are off and her time is longer to even it out. Also tell your kids and whole family to respect her. People don't realize but a nanny that accepts an after school gig if not a student ( who will finish school and leave soon) may be employed elsewhere part time so drama, or she is with you and looking for something else part time or full time. My two cents.

You are out of your mind, $2,400 a month for after school care only?

[Anonymous]

Op I think if you offered $25 an hour and guaranteed hours you could find someone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a nanny and speak to countless nannies all the time. And what would get you and keep a good one with you for long is paying at least $700-800 a week plus benefits. You could work out something where she starts around 1:pm and ends at 6 or 7. Put in house keeping and laundry. Ask to pay her same in summer or when school are off and her time is longer to even it out. Also tell your kids and whole family to respect her. People don't realize but a nanny that accepts an after school gig if not a student ( who will finish school and leave soon) may be employed elsewhere part time so drama, or she is with you and looking for something else part time or full time. My two cents.

You are out of your mind, $2,400 a month for after school care only?

Then leave work at 2:00 and take care of your own kids or hire a 20 year old who won't show up 30% of the time. Why should someone reliable e.g., older, more experienced accept peanuts for offering an in demand service? If you had actually read PP's post, she suggested adding more hours and turning the job into more of a housekeeper/nanny position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It must be hard - we have a full time nanny to avoid this - I feel like every fall a million people are looking for someone for that exact job

Agree with this poster. I work for a family a few nights a week, and they've been looking for almost two months. There are so many families that need limited coverage in the afternoons and not enough people available or willing to work those hours. I think it helps if you are offering a great rate, but even at $20-$25 an hour, they haven't been able to find someone. I think they will do as this poster did and hire a full time person.

[Anonymous]

We live in North Arlington and tried to find care. We too have an AP with K and 2nd grade and only use 20 hours during school season.
Hate to say it, but it was near impossible to find anything close to what an AP weekly costs.

We too are a bit tired of having someone live with us; and actually thinking of moving out of Arlington to get closer to the grandparents in the suburbs who could watch them after school.