Stay at home mom considering nannying 2nd child- how to begin?

[Anonymous]

I've been a working mother for the last 5 years and recently lost my job. Now that my older child is starting elementary I just started to be home with my younger child. Has anyone on this forum stayed home with their own child and provided care for another? What would one expect to pay a mom to watch their child in a home setting 40 hours per week... and what things should I consider before moving forward? My child is almost 3 and I'd be looking for a child of a similar age.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Excellent idea. I did it. But if it's your home, you probably need a license. Where do you live?
If you take your child to another family's house, no license is required.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Excellent idea. I did it. But if it's your home, you probably need a license. Where do you live?
If you take your child to another family's house, no license is required.

I can’t be certain, but I do not believe this is true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Excellent idea. I did it. But if it's your home, you probably need a license. Where do you live?
If you take your child to another family's house, no license is required.

Oh wow, that is helpful to start. Is it because it would be considered a business? Did you do it in your own home or another family? I'm in Alexandria.

[Anonymous]

https://www.alexandriava.gov/dchs/childrenfamily/default.aspx?id=50230

Sounds like you need to register with the city but not get a permit if its only one other child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Excellent idea. I did it. But if it's your home, you probably need a license. Where do you live?
If you take your child to another family's house, no license is required.

Oh wow, that is helpful to start. Is it because it would be considered a business? Did you do it in your own home or another family? I'm in Alexandria.

I did child care in my licensed home for over ten years. No TV or screen anything. Very high quality and earned a fortune. Hiring an assistant was a huge asset. Parents like to see that you aren't alone. Do you have fenced outdoor play space?

[Anonymous]

Well, since it would be in your home, it's really more of a "very small home daycare" situation than a nanny, and I would expect it to be priced as such. I would figure out what the going rate is for home daycare in your area and maybe add a small increase to account for the smaller ratio. But nowhere near the rate of a "nanny" or even the rate a nanny typically gets when bringing along her own child. With the setting being YOUR home, instead of the other's child's, it takes away the convenience factor of having a nanny.
And if a parent is wanting to bring their kid to a daycare (vs. having a nanny come to their home) a large center will often provide better benefits; large staff so no need to worry about caregivers being sick/vacations, many children so the child can choose the playmates he gets along best with, a structured program and lessons, etc.

I think parents of younger babies might appreciate the lower ratio of your home setting (less germs, more attention, etc.) but I'm not sure it would be as attractive to parents of a pre-schooler, who often enroll their children in larger classes at this age to get "socialization" anyway.

How firm would you be about the 40 hours? Many parents have to work 40 hours, so to account for commute time, they might need more like 45-50 hours. Would you be open to being flexible with your hours like that?

You have an older child in elementary school--what is your plan for days when there is an event at her school during the school day, such as a holiday party or awards assembly? Are you comfortable telling your older child you won't be able to make it because you are home with the two younger ones? Or would you ask the other child's parent if it was ok to bring him along?

[Anonymous]

It this be a great childcare option for a parent who needs to get some focused work done at home, but has a flexible schedule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It this be a great childcare option for a parent who needs to get some focused work done at home, but has a flexible schedule.

*This can be a great....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, since it would be in your home, it's really more of a "very small home daycare" situation than a nanny, and I would expect it to be priced as such. I would figure out what the going rate is for home daycare in your area and maybe add a small increase to account for the smaller ratio. But nowhere near the rate of a "nanny" or even the rate a nanny typically gets when bringing along her own child. With the setting being YOUR home, instead of the other's child's, it takes away the convenience factor of having a nanny.
And if a parent is wanting to bring their kid to a daycare (vs. having a nanny come to their home) a large center will often provide better benefits; large staff so no need to worry about caregivers being sick/vacations, many children so the child can choose the playmates he gets along best with, a structured program and lessons, etc.

I think parents of younger babies might appreciate the lower ratio of your home setting (less germs, more attention, etc.) but I'm not sure it would be as attractive to parents of a pre-schooler, who often enroll their children in larger classes at this age to get "socialization" anyway.

How firm would you be about the 40 hours? Many parents have to work 40 hours, so to account for commute time, they might need more like 45-50 hours. Would you be open to being flexible with your hours like that?

You have an older child in elementary school--what is your plan for days when there is an event at her school during the school day, such as a holiday party or awards assembly? Are you comfortable telling your older child you won't be able to make it because you are home with the two younger ones? Or would you ask the other child's parent if it was ok to bring him along?

Thanks for all the questions to think about. Why do you think it would be thought of more as a daycare than a "nanny" when people do nanny shares? Obviously in a share, both parties with kids are hiring an outside caregiver, but in that instance, normally only one location is where the share happens for consistency, routine and the sake of not having extras of everything at both places. So one child is usually in their own home in a share situation. Is your comment just to suggest that a nanny commands a higher rate than an in-home daycare?

[Anonymous]

If it's just your child and one other, you can charge comparably to a nannyshare. The easiest way to do it is just to call the City, explain what you want to do, and ask what forms or inspections you need to complete. If you only have to set it up as a business (vs. being licensed as child care, which it sounds like you don't need to do) it is very straightforward. (In some areas, you do have to be licensed for child care if you provide the care in your own home, but not if you provide it in the other child's home.)

[Anonymous]

I’d love to do that too and my child is 21 months. Doesn’t even have to be full time. Wanting to make extra cash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d love to do that too and my child is 21 months. Doesn’t even have to be full time. Wanting to make extra cash.

Best thing I ever did. It even paid my mortgage, but you need to be the absolute best.

[Anonymous]

"Well, since it would be in your home, it's really more of a "very small home daycare" situation than a nanny, and I would expect it to be priced as such. I would figure out what the going rate is for home daycare in your area and maybe add a small increase to account for the smaller ratio. But nowhere near the rate of a "nanny" "

I think the rate would be more similar to a nannyshare - which does fit the above: far less than a nanny yet a bit more than a home daycare. If the mom is an educated, MC mom i would have loved this when my kids were little and would even have been fine with the occasional tag along to school for older kids' events. But I would have only paid "my half" of the "nannyshare" rate for it since: a) it's not only my kids; b) it's not in my home which was my strong preference when i shared; and c) you have the added worry about favortism to the other mom's child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, since it would be in your home, it's really more of a "very small home daycare" situation than a nanny, and I would expect it to be priced as such. I would figure out what the going rate is for home daycare in your area and maybe add a small increase to account for the smaller ratio. But nowhere near the rate of a "nanny" or even the rate a nanny typically gets when bringing along her own child. With the setting being YOUR home, instead of the other's child's, it takes away the convenience factor of having a nanny.
And if a parent is wanting to bring their kid to a daycare (vs. having a nanny come to their home) a large center will often provide better benefits; large staff so no need to worry about caregivers being sick/vacations, many children so the child can choose the playmates he gets along best with, a structured program and lessons, etc.

I think parents of younger babies might appreciate the lower ratio of your home setting (less germs, more attention, etc.) but I'm not sure it would be as attractive to parents of a pre-schooler, who often enroll their children in larger classes at this age to get "socialization" anyway.

How firm would you be about the 40 hours? Many parents have to work 40 hours, so to account for commute time, they might need more like 45-50 hours. Would you be open to being flexible with your hours like that?

You have an older child in elementary school--what is your plan for days when there is an event at her school during the school day, such as a holiday party or awards assembly? Are you comfortable telling your older child you won't be able to make it because you are home with the two younger ones? Or would you ask the other child's parent if it was ok to bring him along?

Thanks for all the questions to think about. Why do you think it would be thought of more as a daycare than a "nanny" when people do nanny shares? Obviously in a share, both parties with kids are hiring an outside caregiver, but in that instance, normally only one location is where the share happens for consistency, routine and the sake of not having extras of everything at both places. So one child is usually in their own home in a share situation. Is your comment just to suggest that a nanny commands a higher rate than an in-home daycare?

It's a daycare because it's in your home.

Also, finding 40 hours will be tough since parents have to work those hours. How about doing mom's morning out care? You can charge more since it's hourly.