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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP again - thanks so much for all the input. We will sit down with her and go over our concerns and give her a chance to step up her performance. In the meantime, I will prepare myself for the nanny search - which I dread. I hope I can find a nanny like some of the ones that have posted here. I know my kids deserve better.[/quote]

I'm a nanny, OP, and although I haven't posted on this thread before I think this is absolutely right and wish you luck! She sounds like a mediocre nanny - it's great that your three-year-old likes her, and you're right that crying is a three-year-old thing - it is indicative of your sense of reality that you're not harping on that as a reason she might be inadequate... it's all the other reasons you listed that make her inadequate!

I would ask probably $22 starting rate for this job (at 37 hrs/week) and would go lower with the inclusion of healthcare. At my job I do all of the children's laundry, all the dishes (yes, even the parents' breakfast dishes), sanitize toys bi-monthly, give daily baths, vacuum weekly, buy groceries for the children and prepare baby food (I don't do the adult grocery shopping but I would if my employers wanted me to), pick up all of the baby's necessities (diapers and wipes, vitamin supplements from the pharmacy, etc.), seek out playgroups and story hours at least once a week (our aim is twice but you know how things go), go on daily outings (even if this is just a walk around the neighborhood, as it was today, to see the construction vehicles), wipe up counters, sweep floors, spot-treat stains on the carpet when I notice them (or on a long-nap day), organize and store clothes as children grow out of them, manage the rotation of toys to keep up interest, go weekly to the thrift store to pick out new books for 50c each, etc. To be clear, my contract says I will be responsible for the children's laundry, helping with food preparation, and tidying up any messes we make - it's the great reciprocal relationship I have with my employers that leads me to make the most of naptimes and do all the rest (and they reciprocate in their own ways - by letting me leave early often, by giving me a lovely holiday bonus, and sometimes just by saying thank you and how much they appreciate it).

So, yes, a toddler and an infant is a lot to manage, but my purpose in listing this all out is not to pat myself on the back but to give you a sense of how many things a good nanny can do to keep your house running smoothly. For that price, you can find a GREAT live-out nanny who will make the money you're spending on childcare really feel worth it. I agree with PP that when you ask your nanny to step up her game, she might push back or even look for another job, so definitely begin your search now so you aren't left stranded. Keep in mind the (good) advice you've gotten here when interviewing potential candidates and be sure your job description includes your absolute priorities so you get more bang for your buck with the next hire!

Finally, I would encourage you to begin this search sooner than later, as introducing a new nanny to a 5 or 6 month old is much easier than a 9 or 10 month old, who'll be in the grips of separation anxiety. Don't let waffling about this so-so employee lead you to delay at least the searching for a better fit. Good luck![/quote]

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