Is there any point in even considering this?

[Anonymous]

I am going back to work next year in a part-time teaching position. It's an every other day block schedule, so I'd be teaching different days each week. (M,W,F one week, and T,Th the next week.) I'd really prefer to hire a part-time nanny for my toddler and baby, but it doesn't seem like it would be even possible to find a quality nanny willing to not have a set weekly schedule. My instinct is that I'd either need to hire a full-time nanny or have to put the kids in daycare. What do you think?

[Anonymous]

You might find someone, like a mom of teens who is looking for part time work and also not in school, but it's going to be hard unless you pay really, really well, in which case you might as well pay just a little more for full time.

If you can swing full time, look for a housekeeper/nanny who would be willing to have longer days on your work days and shorter days on the other days, but who will also do household tasks in the hours you don't need a nanny.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP. look for a combo of nanny and housekeeper and offer full time. Or you could put the kids in daycare full time as well.

[Anonymous]

I know several doctors who have strange schedules and have found flexible nannies. Its not impossible but you'll pay a premium for the flexibility

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know several doctors who have strange schedules and have found flexible nannies. Its not impossible but you'll pay a premium for the flexibility

But they’re usually offering full time and OP isn’t.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for the advice. I hadn't considered hiring someone full time (since the point behind accepting the part time job was to be able to be with my kids on the off days) but if we can find a full time nanny/housekeeper that sounds like it would be a good option. I'm wondering, however, if we'll be able to find a great nanny who is also willing to clean our house - seems like that would be difficult. Assuming we can find this, any opinions on an appropriate hourly rate? We like in the Annandale/Burke/Springfield area. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for the advice. I hadn't considered hiring someone full time (since the point behind accepting the part time job was to be able to be with my kids on the off days) but if we can find a full time nanny/housekeeper that sounds like it would be a good option. I'm wondering, however, if we'll be able to find a great nanny who is also willing to clean our house - seems like that would be difficult. Assuming we can find this, any opinions on an appropriate hourly rate? We like in the Annandale/Burke/Springfield area. Thanks!

You need to advertise for someone who is willing to clean and do child care. You need someone who has worked in this capacity before. You need to explain how your job schedule is and just need to be very clear about the requirements. My mom does both and makes $23/h on the books for 2 kids who are 12 and 16. We live in LA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for the advice. I hadn't considered hiring someone full time (since the point behind accepting the part time job was to be able to be with my kids on the off days) but if we can find a full time nanny/housekeeper that sounds like it would be a good option. I'm wondering, however, if we'll be able to find a great nanny who is also willing to clean our house - seems like that would be difficult. Assuming we can find this, any opinions on an appropriate hourly rate? We like in the Annandale/Burke/Springfield area. Thanks!

I think you will have to approach it from the other direction--instead of looking for a nanny who is willing to clean, you have to look for a housekeeper who is willing to babysit. And she probably won't be a "great nanny" as in having a degree in child development, plans tons of enriching activities, etc. You will want to look for someone who is responsible enough to keep your kids safe and willing to do basic activities like reading books and going to the playground.