Part-time nanny = impossible?

[Anonymous]

I plan ahead and we think we're going to switch from aftercare (they are both in the same school now) to an after school nanny for two kids after next year.

I've heard horror stories about being able to find and keep good part-time nannies.

We don't have a spare bedroom for an au pair otherwise I would go that route.

So, is it as hard as I've heard?

What is competitive part time pay for 3-7pm M-F?

[Anonymous]

It is really hard. First time, we had lots of applicants but only two good candidates. We hired one - she lasted four weeks. We hired the second one - she lasted until the end of the semester. We hired a new nanny who seem to be working out but I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop...

We pay $25 an hour - cash.

[Anonymous]

Pick one who has a first job and you might have more luck. Only other one around it is offering a full time wage for part time hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pick one who has a first job and you might have more luck. Only other one around it is offering a full time wage for part time hours.

Don't do this. If you have the money for a full time wage, with older kids you can hire a nanny/housekeeper, and actually make your life 100% easier with a full time person who actually works full time hours. The other advantage is someone who can cover those random days off or sick days, especially the days after an acute illness where the kid is fine, but had a fever 23 hours earlier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pick one who has a first job and you might have more luck. Only other one around it is offering a full time wage for part time hours.

Don't do this. If you have the money for a full time wage, with older kids you can hire a nanny/housekeeper, and actually make your life 100% easier with a full time person who actually works full time hours. The other advantage is someone who can cover those random days off or sick days, especially the days after an acute illness where the kid is fine, but had a fever 23 hours earlier.

I agree with this. For $500/week Why not have someone who can start from 12:00-8pm. She can do the housekeeping, laundry, meals, and pick the kids, drive to activities and get them home and give them dinner, help with bath time. Advantage you will have less on your plate, a committed person and can get childcare tax break. Just treat her right and will last.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pick one who has a first job and you might have more luck. Only other one around it is offering a full time wage for part time hours.

Don't do this. If you have the money for a full time wage, with older kids you can hire a nanny/housekeeper, and actually make your life 100% easier with a full time person who actually works full time hours. The other advantage is someone who can cover those random days off or sick days, especially the days after an acute illness where the kid is fine, but had a fever 23 hours earlier.

I agree with this. For $500/week Why not have someone who can start from 12:00-8pm. She can do the housekeeping, laundry, meals, and pick the kids, drive to activities and get them home and give them dinner, help with bath time. Advantage you will have less on your plate, a committed person and can get childcare tax break. Just treat her right and will last.

I am not judging this decision if you have the money but how much housekeeping can possibly take 15 hours a week?

[Anonymous]

Above PP again. I live in a normal size house and have one kid and 2 dogs.
Even if you cleaned every day and did all our laundry and made dinner I dont think it would take from 12 every day until 4 when DD gets home.

[Anonymous]

We are going w/ the nanny/housekeeper option and yes there is often extra time in the day. But someone does our grocery shopping, laundry, basic cleaning, child clothes management w/ seasonal rotation etc..., handles sick days and school holidays, stays late on days when a parent has to travel, etc...

It is a luxury for sure, but it's also huge peace of mind for the whole household.

[Anonymous]

Nanny share is another option

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pick one who has a first job and you might have more luck. Only other one around it is offering a full time wage for part time hours.

Don't do this. If you have the money for a full time wage, with older kids you can hire a nanny/housekeeper, and actually make your life 100% easier with a full time person who actually works full time hours. The other advantage is someone who can cover those random days off or sick days, especially the days after an acute illness where the kid is fine, but had a fever 23 hours earlier.

I agree with this. For $500/week Why not have someone who can start from 12:00-8pm. She can do the housekeeping, laundry, meals, and pick the kids, drive to activities and get them home and give them dinner, help with bath time. Advantage you will have less on your plate, a committed person and can get childcare tax break. Just treat her right and will last.

Wait, $500 for 40 hours per week? Don't you think $12.50 per hour is kind of low?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pick one who has a first job and you might have more luck. Only other one around it is offering a full time wage for part time hours.

Don't do this. If you have the money for a full time wage, with older kids you can hire a nanny/housekeeper, and actually make your life 100% easier with a full time person who actually works full time hours. The other advantage is someone who can cover those random days off or sick days, especially the days after an acute illness where the kid is fine, but had a fever 23 hours earlier.

I agree with this. For $500/week Why not have someone who can start from 12:00-8pm. She can do the housekeeping, laundry, meals, and pick the kids, drive to activities and get them home and give them dinner, help with bath time. Advantage you will have less on your plate, a committed person and can get childcare tax break. Just treat her right and will last.

Wait, $500 for 40 hours per week? Don't you think $12.50 per hour is kind of low?

I was thinking the same thing!

[Anonymous]

$12.50 take home is quiet good for the easiness/relaxed nature of the job. They could raise it after each year if she stays loyal.

[Anonymous]

We found one who is absolutely amazing, but I will admit that it is rare and difficult to do.

I would offer no less than $20/hour. If you can afford it, you might even considering tacking on some extra hours if you can find a person who is interested in doing some household tasks as well. The bonus with that is you have more hours reserved for summer and other school breaks in case you need them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pick one who has a first job and you might have more luck. Only other one around it is offering a full time wage for part time hours.

Don't do this. If you have the money for a full time wage, with older kids you can hire a nanny/housekeeper, and actually make your life 100% easier with a full time person who actually works full time hours. The other advantage is someone who can cover those random days off or sick days, especially the days after an acute illness where the kid is fine, but had a fever 23 hours earlier.

I agree with this. For $500/week Why not have someone who can start from 12:00-8pm. She can do the housekeeping, laundry, meals, and pick the kids, drive to activities and get them home and give them dinner, help with bath time. Advantage you will have less on your plate, a committed person and can get childcare tax break. Just treat her right and will last.

I am not judging this decision if you have the money but how much housekeeping can possibly take 15 hours a week?

I live alone renting a basement room complete with kitchen and a bathroom and my housekeeping + laundry+shopping and meal prep is more than 15 hours a week. Again this is more a peace of mind type suggestion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pick one who has a first job and you might have more luck. Only other one around it is offering a full time wage for part time hours.

Don't do this. If you have the money for a full time wage, with older kids you can hire a nanny/housekeeper, and actually make your life 100% easier with a full time person who actually works full time hours. The other advantage is someone who can cover those random days off or sick days, especially the days after an acute illness where the kid is fine, but had a fever 23 hours earlier.

I agree with this. For $500/week Why not have someone who can start from 12:00-8pm. She can do the housekeeping, laundry, meals, and pick the kids, drive to activities and get them home and give them dinner, help with bath time. Advantage you will have less on your plate, a committed person and can get childcare tax break. Just treat her right and will last.

Wait, $500 for 40 hours per week? Don't you think $12.50 per hour is kind of low?

I was thinking the same thing!

Yeah, your chances of finding someone to do all of that for $12.50/hour are pretty low. Why would someone sign up for that, when they could make more per hour simply cleaning houses, or nannying (so one or the other, not both).