Always have another position before giving notice because chances are 100% you will be let go immediately. Two weeks notice is more than sufficient.

If you aren't happy, then it is the right time to quit.

Look for a new job and give your employers 2 weeks notice (three, if you can swing it) and move on.

I would let them know that you have realized the salary situation is not working out for you so you're giving notice (once you find a job). No sense getting the kids attached to you if you will be aiming to leave soon - better just make it quick.

If you were a longer term nanny I would say the ideal time to leave is January - when many families are making decisions about what to do for preschool the following year & may be making those decisions based in part on whether their current nanny will still be with them in the Fall.

I say leave now before the holiday season arrives and things become quite busy on their end.

If not, then wait until January after the holidays end.

However, like you stated, you have to look out and think for yourself so basically anytime.

I would just keep my eye out for jobs starting now, and if something comes along make sure to give your current employers 2+ weeks notice that you are leaving. Many people hire in my area for after school care from August-September, but I find more full time jobs throughout the year. Currently, I'm finding a lot of jobs where moms are 7-9 months pregnant and looking for someone a few months from now once they're done maternity leave. Someone is always looking, you just have to find them.

I don't think there is a great time of year to leave an employer depending on the position. For example, I wanted to move on from an employer that I provided after school care, but rather than find something in May I waited until the kids were out of school and would be in camp anyway in June. If you work year round for this family I don't see how any time would be better for them to have to find a new nanny.

What PPs have said you want to leave as professionally as possible never burn a bridge and all that.

If you are able make sure you have a job before you give notice 2 to 4 weeks is good.

Yes, summer and early winter are peak nanny job times, but you can find a great job anytime of the year.

Keep your eye on listings and go for interviews. You might find the perfect family!!

I'd probably try and stay through Christmas if I could. This time of year can be stressful enough.

MB here. The way to make things easier for them is just to give ample notice, which you can do at any time of year.

Try to line up your next position before you give notice so that you're not stuck without a job for any significant period of time, and just in case your current employers don't want you to stay after giving notice.

Good luck.

Anonymous wrote:Don't be stupid, PP, babies are born all year long = job openings all year ! DUH

Do you talk to your charges or your children with that mouth? I hope not.

Yes babies are born all year, but we don't know if OP has any interest in caring for a baby.

Lastly,, while jobs are available all year the easiest time to find a job as a nanny is late summer or towards the beginning of the new year.

Don't be stupid, PP, babies are born all year long = job openings all year ! DUH

You just missed one of the best hiring times August into earl September.

The next best time is late December to January

I started with a new family within the last few months and am finding the hours overwhelming. They knew when they hired me I would not be a long term employee, as I gave them a ballpark of leaving sometime in the spring. They're perfectly nice, but say I am salaried, which basically means I get crappy pay when it all works out between 40 hrs a week and my nearly 10 hours overtime. I am anxious to give up the position, but wonder if there are some better times of the year to do so. I want to make the transition easy for them, but I also have to look out for myself as well.