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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][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]

This is an excellent post and I completely agree with this MB.   I'm curious as to what rate you are paying.  I am paid $22 for 3 kids ( been with them for 5 years so this includes raises). Just because the kids nap doesn't mean it makes the job easy.  There are always things that can be done when the child is napping.  I'm not saying that nannies don't take a break but good ones will find things to do, and with 4 kids, there will always be something to do!

The age differences can also present a challenge.  It's difficult to help older kids with homework, engage a toddler/pre-schooler and care for a baby.  Kids are coming home from school and the baby is waking up from the second nap.  Throw in cleaning and dinner prep and it's pretty much chaos for a few hours.

You will probably need to raise your rate in order to attract a candidate with the experience needed for this job.

[/quote]

I also agree with this poster.  OP, you're not attracting the right people for some reason, partly because of money and probably somewhat because you don't recognize what a tough job this is.  I'm a mom of two and the way you describe this job sounds utterly exhausting.  Three hours with four different-aged kids at the end of the day alone would exhausting - that's juggling four somewhat cranky kids for several hours that have completely different interests and needs.  I can't imagine having a 1yo on my hip, a 3yo running around, a 5yo and 7yo I have to convince to do their homework who are probably over-tired from a long day and want me to play with them.  And that after already watching a 1yo and a 3yo all day.  I get that the 1yo naps, but I've had two 1yos and it's not like you just put them to nap and they magically wake up 2 hours later after you're completely rested.  Plus you're trying to put the 1yo to nap while you have the 3yo and then in the afternoon you're trying to put BOTH to nap.  Oh and is she taking the 3yo to school and picking him up too twice a week?  AND laundry for four kids?  And keeping up with the kid's toys?

I'm not saying it's impossible, but this is probably one of the most challenging jobs I've ever seen posted about on DCUM, and I've been around for a long time.  I too question how you what "middle of the road" for 4 kids is?  I would assume there aren't that many families that have a nanny for 10-hour days with four kids, way too few to form a market-base that you would know about and feel comfortable saying your pay is middle of the road.

You need to be paying at least as much more than a typical nanny of 1-2 kids would to make it worth her time.  You probably want to look for someone who wants to specialize in many kids so that you're helping her resume too.  The pool of nannies who consider a 4-kid job is presumably pretty small, so that means even more competition between those families that need them.  And all of that translates to higher rates.

Sorry, OP :([/quote]

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