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[quote=Anonymous]MB here.  I don't think I have much you'll want to hear, because it sounds to me like you're not getting the skill set or capabilities you want and need at the rate you're paying.

Even though the nanny doesn't have 4 kids to manage all day long, that is a significant number of kids even for a couple of hours, and with a significant age range and scope of responsibilities.  It sounds pretty challenging to me to manage homework, snacks, infant care, and preschooler entertainment simultaneously every day for several hours.  (I consider 3 several.)  If the nanny is expected to leave the house in a clean and orderly state when she leaves (as mine is) that's also tricky to ensure when her peak craziness is at the end of the day.

It may not be an "insanely heavy workload" but it certainly isn't an easy job you're describing.

It honestly sounds pretty exhausting to me.  If you know you're paying middle of the road rates, then so do your nannies and the reality for them is that they can make equal money (or better) for less work.  They're getting great experience in managing multiple kids across age ranges and needs, but they can beat the money pretty easily.

So basically it sounds like you're running into the realities of the marketplace where you are.  You have choices of course- plan on a more revolving door nanny arrangement and have back ups in place to weather the transitions; hire two nannies at a part time level so you have built-in backup (though you might have to pay more).  Hire additional/cheaper help - a mommy's helper for after school with the kids for instance.

Or, do a search w/ a higher rate and see if it yields a stronger candidate pool.

Honestly, it sounds like you know the answer and you just don't like it.  If you want better than middle of the road capabilities and tenure, then you need to pay better than middle of the road rates.

And I don't think 4 kids is typical - I think this is a job that skews to the more demanding/challenging positions - but I'll let the nannies here speak to that.[/quote]

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