Reasonable Number of Hours for Nanny?
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Anonymous
| We are considering using a nanny once our newborn leave runs out but, given that we both have long commutes, we are thinking it might be up to 10.5-11 hours/day (up to 55 hours/week). I'm worried that this makes for some long days and wondering whether other parents have nannies stay that long and what the results have been (ie do you think the nanny is too tired at the end of the day, has the baby/child reacted ok to the situation?) |
Anonymous
If you pay good ,nobody get tired.,rsrsrsrsr |
Anonymous
| Lol |
Anonymous
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Many families try to stagger their schedules -- dad leaves early for work, mom is there when nanny arrives in the morning. Mom leaves for work. Dad arrives home first and relieves nanny. This helps to keep the daily hours at a more reasonable amount.
45-50 hours is typical in this area. I'd make sure the nanny lived near you if you needed her for such long days. I would be concerned hiring a nanny who had to work a long day and then have a long commute on top of it. |
Anonymous
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I'm a nanny who has been working these hours for a year and a half with my current family. I love my job but it is a very long day and I have often wanted to quit, it's not easy.
So here is my advice for making it more tolerable...any time you can let the nanny leave early, do it (but don't dock her pay) . Tell her thank you every day. Get home a few mins early to get the rundown on the day, don't make her leave late to get you caught up. Encourage her to go on outings, run errands, go to playgroups with baby so she's not so bored and isolated. Pay well, pay overtime and try to be flexible if she needs time off for doctor appts etc. Good luck! 
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Anonymous
| Our nanny works 50 hours a week. It's fine. The baby is well-attached to the nanny and us. |
Anonymous
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Honestly, I think any nanny, young and healthy even, would get major burn out working such hours.
21:18 gave some great + sound advice. Another option would be to split the nannies. Perhaps have two nannies. One works two days a week, the other works the other two or three days. This will ensure a refreshed nanny who will not get bored and just burned out weekly. However, if that is not a viable option OP, then yes, keep your nanny happy and content and make a HUGE effort to do so. Give her permission to take your child out during the day, it would be just cruel to make her stay in the house or confine her to just around the block for such a long time period. Give her complete autonomy in planning the day, of course abiding by certain times for meals and naps. Limit household tasks and encourage her to rest when baby naps. Whenever possible, give her free time off yet still pay her for it. Give thanks to her often and let her know you appreciate all she does on a regular basis. That is very important because us nannies love hearing how much we are appreciated. This never gets old.
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Anonymous
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I think a 50 hour work week for nannies is fairly typical. It's the minimum needed to cover parent's w/ 9-5 work days and a commute.
It doesn't seem such a huge leap from that to add 5 more (maximum) hours a week. I would frame it as a 55hr/week job, with as attractive a rate as you can afford (40 hours at base, 15 hours at time and a half). If you can guarantee/always pay the 55 hrs/week, but often will be able to let the nanny leave a half hour or more early, then I think it will be an attractive offer. Good luck. |
Anonymous
| A 50 hour work week is pretty typical for a nanny so I'm sure you could find a well-qualified candidate for 55 hours a week. Being a compassionate employer is one way to really help diffuse potential burn out: saying "thank you" at the end of each day, letting the nanny go if you get home early, and letting it known that it's acceptable for her to have down time while the baby naps are 3 easy things that make long days much, much easier. |
nannydebsays
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I've never worked less than 50 hours a week, and currently work 55. Nannies (should) understand that since they need to cover their employer's commute and work hours, they will generally not be working 35 - 40 hours for the typical 2 income household.
That being said, you can take a lot of the terrific suggestions above on how to show appreciation, and put them into action. Acknowledge the long days, let her go a bit early if possible, encourage her to relax during down time if her chores are done and baby is sleeping, and say thanks daily. |
Anonymous
| OP here - I appreciate the reassurance that this isn't a crazy schedule, and the various suggestions for ways to treat the nanny are very helpful and makes sense (although I would hope that any parent is always thankful for their nanny's services). |
Anonymous
| The hours are only a tad long really. Can you give any extra perks such as all federal holidays and closures? Access to the kitchen? Just be creative and thoughtful. |
Anonymous
| You have to pay OT after 40 hours but a nanny should not work more than 50 hours per week to avoid burnout. |
Anonymous
| The hours would be fine for a lot of nannies, but make sure she has a short and reliable commute - tacking on 2+ hours per day commuting WILL burn out your nanny. |