Thanks for all the input. This is helpful.

Thanks for all the input. This is helpful.

OP, you'll be fine.
Something that might make it much easier for you would be to determine what you're looking for in a nanny, as well as what you plan to offer.

For example: if you're planning on paying on the books vs under the table, if you want someone CPR certified, if you want someone who can drive. Be sure to consider (within reason) their commute time -- a nanny who has to commute an hour each way might get burned out much faster than a nanny with a 10 minute commute.

OP you'll have plenty of choices whenever you start.

It is true that there are a lot of nannies and jobs flying around in August/September, but that doesn't really matter for your situation - you will not find someone in September who wants to be "hired" but won't actually be asked to begin (or get paid) until December. But don't worry, nannies get hired year-round and if you give yourself 4-8 weeks to search and interview (depending on how intensively you want to look) you'll be all set finding someone great.

I'm an MB and agree w/ the PP that there is a definite surplus of nannies who are available to start at the school year - it's a tough time for them to be looking. But I hired in November for a January start and had lots of applicants.

I don't think you'll have any problem finding applicants, no matter when you start the search. You certainly don't have to plan to hire months earlier than you'll need somone.

I am an MB and may be wrong, but from my experience you will get more applicants for the beginning of the school year because career nannies often stay with families for years until the last child goes to school or longer. However there are always nannies looking for jobs, their employers may have moved, they may have been hired in September by a crazy family, etc etc. that being said, if you can't afford to hire someone until you go to work you could interview applicants in the Summer who many be willin to take temp jobs until your date if your family is the right for for them.
Forgive any typos, I am typing from a phone.

I hired someone to start in mid-to-late January and had no problem. I think the career nannies aren't particularly stuck to a school calendar schedule.

Hello There! I am a working mom who will be new to the DC area parent scene come fall. I need to hire a nanny to care for two children, but not until I go back to work after maternity leave in early December. Can anyone tell me if there is a "season" for hiring nannies? Do most professional nannies get hired with the school year? I would like to wait until November-ish (i.e.., when i have a paycheck), but I am afraid it will be slim picking if I wait past September. Any thoughts/advice would help!