Maybe I'll do a range. I will pay more for a nanny who drives b/c she would be able to help with preschooler more which is more work.

Also, in the past, I"ve asked salary expectations of applicants rather than offering a range. It's not been a problem... got lots of applicants many great.

yes, we got a couple of applicants we loved but could not afford but it was good to meet them b/c one sent us another applicant who was quite promising. (ex au pair legal for only 24 hours of work was a prob for us)

I hate it when ads say pay will be commensurate with experience. No it won't. You have a ceiling, and though everyone wants the nanny with tons of experience education and a good track record, your ceiling might not allow it.

November would be a good time to start looking. I would look for someone who drives.

thanks all. I"ll start soon, in Nov.

For the nanny looking: It is in NoVa, it is full-time with an infant, occasionally with a 3 yr old too. (in preschool full time but we will want a nanny who's willing to keep him when he has to stay home from school...he is prone to ear infections yet is a "good" sick kid...sleeps a lot and watches tv otherwise).

trying to decide if we want to search for a driving nanny or if that matters to us.

the usual benefits, paid by payroll service (paid for 52 weeks/yr) and pay = qualifications + experience.

I agree that it can be too risky to hire someone too soon because you're very right....Someone might get a better job or change their plans or who knows? But then again, you do not want to be looking for a nanny in a pinch and then settling for someone just because you need someone right NOW.

I say start your search next month perhaps.

There might be some nannies who are going to be out of work in January because of kids going to preschool, etc. so who knows, you may find someone.

Good luck.

Anonymous wrote:Can I apply?????

What do you know about this job that appeals to you? Is it the hours, the pay, the location, the benefits, the parenting philosophy, that it's a long-term (or short-term) position?

Can I apply?????

I think that you're going to have a hard time, to be honest. Nannies are going to wait to see what their holiday bonus is. They won't want to leave before getting that.

I started looking about six weeks before I needed someone to start, and arranged for him to start a week before I went back to work just so we could work out any kinks and blend our styles and such.

Beginning of November, but expect that it might take all 8-10 weeks and know that your perfect nanny might not pop up until Dec. 15th. You're right that it's trickier around the holiday season and normally 4-6 weeks is adequate, but it will be tougher with people traveling or spending time with family rather than interviewing heavily.

Part of me wants to look now b/c I think it will be harder over the holidays but then I think no nanny who is unemployed now will want to commit to a family now. Thoughts? I would like to do trial dates in Dec. too.