How long should a nanny trial be? Nanny is bringing her baby to work...thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I interviewed a nanny I really like, and want to do a trial. She's not very experienced but the vibes are great and she's got other qualities I value more than FT nanny experience. She would be bringing her baby to work, so he'll be coming for the trial too. Questions:
- Do we sign a contract before or after the trial?
- Should the trial be 8 hours or would just 3-4 hours be enough?
- Should I shadow her the entire time to observe and hope my baby isn't distracted, or actually go about my business and interact like I would on a normal work day? If I'm in the next room with the doors open, I'll be able to hear what she's doing. I could even set up the baby monitor in the playroom.

My baby has historically been a bad napper but she recently began napping pretty well in the crib. Unfortunately, she began teething again a couple weeks ago and she now refuses to nap unless I feed her to sleep in the guest bed. I suppose the nanny may feel flustered and worried she's looking bad at her job, so I would assure her I don't expect magic at the trial. I actually don't think it's the worst thing in the world if my baby naps on the guest bed until she's adjusted to the nanny because the bed is in my office and I don't think it would disturb her if I'm typing a few feet away. I rarely talk on the phone and can delay any call I may need to make. But of course, I understand that falling asleep while BF is bad for her teeth and at some point she won't be BF anymore so she does need to learn to nap independently in the crib.

Also, my baby is 7 months (seems close to crawling) and hers is 14 months (walking). At first, I thought it might be too much of an age difference but my friend's baby is 1 year and I don't think she's that far apart from my baby developmentally. And I imagine that as time goes by, the age gap will be even less of an issue. I had been interested in hosting a share anyway, so I was already willing to deal with extra noise and inconvenience. Our house is big so I'm not worried about space (2 offices, 2 living rooms, dedicated playroom upstairs, huge finished basement, big kitchen, big yard). I know that with her baby being older, it'll mean we need to baby proof right away and there could be accidents from potty training her baby in a few months. Their nap and feeding needs are different but my job is very flexible, so I can step in to help with my baby here or there. Being able to interact with my baby during the day is the main reason I want a nanny. I expect some people will say she should not bring her baby. But my husband and I agree that it hurts our hearts to think of her being apart from her baby all day to care for ours. Is there anything I haven't considered?

[Anonymous]

You can do 4hrs for a trial. I’d stick around for an hr then give her space. Sign a contract after if you decide to move forward

[Anonymous]

Half day for a trial. Pay her for these hours.

[Anonymous]

I don't do a trial unless we sign a contract first. It includes a trial clause, that way I ensure that I will be paid for the trial, even if it doesn't work out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't do a trial unless we sign a contract first. It includes a trial clause, that way I ensure that I will be paid for the trial, even if it doesn't work out.

A 4 hour trial is more like a working interview or training. I don't do full days or like a week, but 4 hours is enough time to get a feel for what it will be like and make a good assessment about whether you like the position and for NF to decide if they like you and want to offer you the job. You should always be paid for a trial, it's legally required.

[Anonymous]

I would do 4 hours, be at home and go in and out, and of course fully pay her in cash on the spot.

If a nanny has an issue with me being around, we'll have issues going forward, so it's best to know right away. The whole idea of a trial is that you're going to observe. It's not like your infant can report back on how it went.

Unfortunately I filtered out two people recently for being on their phones constantly during their trial, so now I'm even more committed to doing them and observing carefully.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't do a trial unless we sign a contract first. It includes a trial clause, that way I ensure that I will be paid for the trial, even if it doesn't work out.

A 4 hour trial is more like a working interview or training. I don't do full days or like a week, but 4 hours is enough time to get a feel for what it will be like and make a good assessment about whether you like the position and for NF to decide if they like you and want to offer you the job. You should always be paid for a trial, it's legally required.

I've had families want to renegotiate the rate during or after a trial. It's not a big deal to write the contract first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't do a trial unless we sign a contract first. It includes a trial clause, that way I ensure that I will be paid for the trial, even if it doesn't work out.

A 4 hour trial is more like a working interview or training. I don't do full days or like a week, but 4 hours is enough time to get a feel for what it will be like and make a good assessment about whether you like the position and for NF to decide if they like you and want to offer you the job. You should always be paid for a trial, it's legally required.

I've had families want to renegotiate the rate during or after a trial. It's not a big deal to write the contract first.

I'd sign first if doing a trial period, but not just a trial day/working interview. Signing something means that I'm taking that position and I'd want to do a 4 hour working interview first before deciding that. If they were to try to renegotiate my hourly rate afterwards, then I just wouldn't accept any job offer.

You can't renegotiate the rate for a trial day if you are already actively working it, only before you agree to do so. It's like babysitting for the day as in once accepted to do, you can't switch their rate and you wouldn't have them be there for 2 hours and then say "we'll only pay you half of your actual rate".

[Anonymous]

I am facing a similar situation. how much is the nanny's pay hourly or weekly? I don't know what is the norm with a nanny who brings her own child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am facing a similar situation. how much is the nanny's pay hourly or weekly? I don't know what is the norm with a nanny who brings her own child.

I would pay 1/2 as your child is getting 1/2 the attention.