Hiring a nanny after having a second child?
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Anonymous
| Our DD is a year old and has been in daycare since she was about 6 months. We're considering having another baby and I'm wondering if there are any moms or dads out there who after having another baby have pulled their toddler out of daycare and instead hired a nanny to take care of both their newborn and the older child? We like the socialization she's getting from her daycare center, but financially it would make more sense for us to hire a nanny as opposed to paying for two children in daycare. By the time the new baby came she would be at the age that we would likely be moving her to a new center anyway, so she would be making a transition either way. Just wondering if anyone has done this and how things are going? Many thanks! |
Anonymous
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Nannies are a godsend. No more rushing to get two children ready and packed in the morning, no more taking time off work when the children are sick, no more late dinners and late bedtimes because you had to come home, feed them, do baths, etc. And no more doing the kids laundry!
Our nanny has two happy children bathed and in their pjs by the time DH and I get home. For socialization, our nanny takes the toddler to music class and library story time as well as the library playroom and park/rec center. Every weekday, nanny has the toddler involved in something on the morning and often schedules a pay date for the afternoons. The baby goes along, of course, loves watching the "big kids", too. Daycare was just too hard on my oldest child and me. She was sick all the time and hated being rushed in the morning. Again, nannies are a godsend (provided, of course, that you get a very good nanny)!!! |
Anonymous
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Everything PP said, plus your oldest can still do preschool morning classes a couple times a week if you wish.
That said a nanny may not be cheaper for you a fulltime, nanny for two kids paid above board is an expense. You may end up paying the same amount or more of course as was described you get more too. |
Anonymous
| I would do research as nannies are usually more than daycare especially two kids one being a newborn. Home day cares are cheaper than large day care centers but large day care centers are cheaper than a nanny |
Anonymous
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A quality nanny who will educate, socialize your children and make your life easier will not be cheaper than a day care center. With taxes, raises, bonuses, paid vacations it will cost you minimum of 40k a year for two children, but will likely cost more. You will also have to consider the added expenses of preschool, gas reimbursement, children classes, petty cash for activities and muesum memberships.
If you want a nanny for convenience, than I'd recommend it. A quality nanny can offer your children similar educational experiences as a daycare (probably more because it's a smaller ratio) and find ways to socialize your child. But this comes at a cost. If you are looking for a cheaper solution than a childcare center, than home daycare is your best bet. Look into sibling discounts and other cheaper centers if cost is an issue. |
Anonymous
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I say go the nanny route.
You're right. Cost-wise it would be the same, yet your children would get much much better one-on-one full on attention, be able to stay in their own familiar surrounding, nap in their own beds, play w/their own toys, not have to be exposed to numerous germs, etc. Need I say more...??! |
Anonymous
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Another vote for a nanny. The right nanny is a lifesaver, and a MAJOR stress reducer with things like getting out of the house in the morning.
If you can afford it, and you find someone you like, I think you'll be so glad you did. |
nannydebsays
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The cost will depend on how educated and experienced of a nanny you want. If you'll be happy with, for example, a younger woman who currently works for less than $10/hour in a daycare, you will likely be able to offer her $12 - $13 to start. If you need the typical amount of nanny hours a week, say 50 - 55, you will pay between $660 and $812.50/week gross wages, with overtime after 40 hours.
However, if you want an experienced nanny, you may see rates around $17/hour, which raises the cost to between $935 and $1062.50. Plus, to legally employ a nanny you will be paying about 10% of her wages above and beyond her pay toward YOUR tax obligations. No idea how expensive daycare is in your area, but it's generally not actually going to cover the cost of a nanny. That usually begins to kick in when you add a third child to the mix. For example: 1 child - nanny = $660, daycare = $250 2 children - nanny = $750, daycare = $450 3 children - nanny = $850, daycare = $650 |
Anonymous
Daycare centers in most major northeast cities range between 350-450 for one child and some offer a sibling discount. Home daycares would be around the rates you suggested |
nannydebsays
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I had no idea formal daycare cost that much in major NE cities. Sheesh. So OP would actually be looking at around $750+/week for daycare for 2 kids, which absolutely makes a nanny a feasible option. |
Anonymous
Ha, I wish in home daycares were $250/week! Ours is $325 and that seems on par with most of the ones we looked at around here. |
Anonymous
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Wanted to bump this post because DH and I are thinking about the exact same thing. Would love to get more feedback on those who chose to hire a nanny when their second was born. Did it save you a ton of stress?
BTW, we pay for daycare now for DD and it's $1,700 a month. |
Anonymous
| Meant to add -- we're considering part-time preschool for our older child in addition to the nanny, so the group setting still happens a few days a week. |
Anonymous
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Our nanny has been able to give DS a much better "education" than he was getting in daycare - one on one attention and focusing on his interests (it is a lot easier to get him to enjoy a book if it is about trucks or baseball).
Also, our second child never had the illnesses that our first had in daycare. And when either child does get sick or just a mystery fever, neither DH nor I have to miss work. I also haven't had to do a stitch of their laundry (clothes, towels, linen) since nanny joined us! But the nanny route was more expensive. We did it because it was best for our kids - not because it was a cheaper option. |
Anonymous
| The savings in stress alone was invaluable. All I have to do in the morning is get myself out of the house (you have been doing it for one - double the hassle and think about doing it for two) that alone lowered my stress level significantly!!! |