Difficulty in finding nanny share

[Anonymous]

I recently moved to DC and I have been looking for a nanny share for three months without success. I have a 13 month old. I am looking within a radius of no more than 30 minutes walking distance from my home, as I don't drive and live far from the metro. I live in NW DC. The only families who have been interested so far either have newborns or need only part-time care for their toddlers. I'm looking for an age difference of six months. Suggestions? Is this age too late to start a share?

[Anonymous]

What part of NWDC? and have you posted on listservs?

[Anonymous]

Are you looking to start or join a share?

I do think it's a little late, only because your age range and distance range already limit your potential pool of people. Most people start shares when they go back to work when babies are 3-6 months old, and then there might be openings the following year if some people change childcare options.

If I were you, I might keep trying for a specified amount of time (2 more weeks?) and then try the following:
1) be open to a share with an older child, and be willing to let your child transition to one nap sooner
2) look for a home daycare with a small number of children (3-4)
3) hire a solo nanny with the understanding that you are still looking to make it a share

[Anonymous]

It can be tricky depending on your location. However, having been through this, it's much easier if you are looking to join an existing nanny share: People get attached to their nannies, and don't want to let them go when the other share family leaves (which happens, owing to people moving or getting into a day care); and those who are looking to fill that vacancy often have slightly older children like you.

Again, though, it depends on your location. To be honest, I have always had *much* more luck with my neighborhood listservs than I ever have with this forum. Because families are generally looking for shares in their immediate neighborhood, the listservs have more relevant activity.

[Anonymous]

MB here...I tried for months to find a nanny share a couple years ago for my 2 year old at the time. It was a lot of work and never could find the perfect fit. I agree that listservs are better. We ultimately just keep a full time nanny...

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the advice. For the first couple of months, I tried to join an existing share, opening the age range to six months older or younger than DC. No success. For the last month I have tried to start a share. I hired a wonderful nanny part-time with the idea of later turning into a full-time nanny share. I offered her 30 hours per week guaranteed at $20/hr plus benefits (paid holidays, two weeks vacation, etc.). I am a single mom, so 30 hours is all I could pay her while we waited for the share. It has been one month. She actually quitted the job today since she received a full-time offer elsewhere. Sorry about all the detail. I just needed to vent out and try to understand what is going on. Perhaps I arrived to town when most of the share openings were already filled.

[Anonymous]

OP here again. I did tried the listservs for my own and surrounding neighborhoods (a couple of times)

[Anonymous]

I can pass your info to our old nanny. she worked with us for two years, we ganratee her 30 hours for $18. I am sure she wouldn't mind. Try to find someone that isn't looking for that many hours, that way you may not even need a nanny-share.

[Anonymous]

I think it is the timing - around the holidays is tough!

[Anonymous]

To 11:04. Could you please provide me your nanny's info? I would definitely be interested in something like this. Could you also provide me a way to contact you for reference?

I have to say that when I originally posted my ad looking for a nanny I was offering $18/hr with 25 hrs guaranteed. I did not like most of the applications I received (college students), so when I found my soon to be former nanny I bumped her salary to $20/hr with 30 hrs guaranteed. She's awesome, but now she's gone after three weeks.

[Anonymous]

11:04 here, Mrs. George call me and I will give you her contact info 301-326-5814