Putting out feelers - is this feasible?
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Anonymous
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Thinking out loud and would love some feedback.
Currently, I've got a 1st grader at one school and another child in pre-k at a daycare center. Right now, my husband and I split drop off and pick ups. Next year, both girls will be at the same school (about a mile from our house). I'm not super impressed with the aftercare option my older child is at, and was thinking of hiring an afternoon nanny/sitter. I'm wondering if this is something that someone would be interested in, or if I'm looking for a unicorn... Work hours 3-6pm Monday-Thursday: Pick girls up at school and drive (or walk) the mile home. Provide pre-made snack Get girls started on HW Supervise inside/outside play I don't need someone to start dinner or throw my clothes in the dryer but to just basically keep an eye on the girls. We'd provide $15/hr, with guaranteed pay (ie sick days, snow days, etc). We wouldn't provide pay for planned school breaks (Christmas, Spring Break). Is there anyone who would actually want this type of position, or am I better off just keeping them in aftercare? |
Anonymous
| You can find someone for an afternoon position. The question is, does someone want the positions for $180 a week. I was paid $250 week to care for 2 girls age 6 and 9 from 3-6. No PTO, I had a Full-Time job so caring for them during school closings was not an option and received gifts/cash during the holidays. My duties included pickup up, drop off/pickup from after school activities, assist with homework and supervise indoor and outdoor activities such as games, parks, riding bikes etc. |
Anonymous
| Maybe a high school kid. Otherwise, it may not be worth someone's time in less you increase it to $25 and hour plus mileage. |
Anonymous
| You need to pay for breaks. |
Anonymous
| Why aren’t you paying for breaks? What do you expect your nanny to do during breaks? Sit at home and lose money? She need to pay bills!!!! |
Anonymous
| You will not get someone reliable for $15. Especially if you are not willing to pay for breaks. I would increase to around $25/hr AND guarantee all hours, including breaks. |
Anonymous
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For a part time position, I wouldn’t guarantee pay over breaks. Guaranteeing over the normal school schedule is fine. As a part time sitter myself, I don’t have guaranteed hours at all. If the parents go on vacation, have a relative visiting that can watch the kids, or are able to pick them up themselves, I take the day unpaid. On the flip side, I can also take days off with a 1-2 weeks notice. This works because I’m super part time, only 6 hours/week. Another sitter works the other 2 days, and their father watches them the third. However, I do get paid $25/hour, although I am responsible for getting the kids fed and showered for the evening.
In your case, I would consider $20/hour. Guarantee pay for the standard school year, minus federal holidays and school vacation weeks. I’m not sure how much response you’ll get, but if you’re upfront and clear about the job description, I’m sure you’ll attract individuals who are merely looking to supplement their full-time job. This may even include individuals who don’t work with children in their main position (e.g. retail worker), or a student, as in my case. Good luck! |
Anonymous
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I think you can find someone. I would either look for a sahm that might want the job and to watch your kids with her own kids or a HS age person.
I have a 1st grader and a friend of mine who is a sahm and has 2 kids ( one the same age as mine and one teen) watches her during the school year only 2 days a week. School gets out at 350 and I usually pick up between 615-630 depending on traffic. We pay $120 for the 4 days. Sometimes my kid has to go to her kids sports practices etc but she eats dinner with them too so when I get home we don't have to start dinner. She doesn't work in the summer ( her choice) so we have a teen do the same hours for the same pay although we may up the pay this year. She was 14 when she started and will be 17 this summer. Lives in our neighborhood. |
Anonymous
| Above PP again. sorry for confusion. We pay $120 every 2 weeks. so $30 for each day. Each day is about 2.5 hours, sometimes a bit less. |
Anonymous
So your friend is watching the kids at her own house, right? So she is still able to do chores like folding laundry, paying bills, and even bringing her own children to their activities. Basically her life is minimally interrupted, it's only 2 days per week, plus she is your FRIEND. She probably looks at it like she is doing you a favor and making a little pocket money. |
Anonymous
PP here. Yes, all of the above. |
Anonymous
| When I worked an after school gig like this, they didn't pay for breaks/odd days off etc. As a result, I left as soon as I found something more consistent with minimal notice-I have bills to pay, like everyone else. I did let them know that I was actively looking for more consistent hours and that I was financially in a difficult position (without implying that it was their problem/fault). If you can't guarantee the hours, neither will I. You need to be realistic about what that person's commitment will look like if you can't commit to a stable amount of income. |
Anonymous
| Up the pay significantly, guarantee the hours throughout the school year, and be prepared to find someone new every year through local college job boards, and you might luck out and find a decent local student to babysit. I doubt an actual nanny would be interested. |
Anonymous
If all you can afford is $15/hr, just keep them in daycare. To find a decent sitter, you're looking at significantly more $. |
Anonymous
| Maybe looking into an AP |