Thanks for posting. I could've written this question myself--we're in the exact same situation and not sure what to do.

We had a similar situation and paid $18/hr for full-time care of the baby and pick-up of the toddler in the afternoon.

Three would be a bit much.

Another issue with adding a preschooler to a baby nanny share is how the other parents will feel about having an ill 3-year-old tossed into the mix. I think it just has the potential to become an issue.

If you can afford a nanny on your own, I would do that. Then having nanny do preschool pick-up/drop-off would be completely reasonable. And if the 3 yo was sick or off of school, she'd be with nanny at her own home.

I can't answer the money question, but yes it's completely reasonable for the nanny who primarily takes care of the baby to take care of the older child during snow days, school vacation days, when older child is mildly ill and can't go to preschool, etc. And, yes, your nanny can pick up/drop off older one with the baby in car seat or stroller (depending on distance).

This is what a nanny does - makes your life easier and cares for the children - and it's why many people opt for the full time nanny when they have 2 or more children, because it makes their lives so much easier.

You will need to build this into the contract and expectations, and find a way for your nanny and older child to bond so they aren't strangers to each other.

the problem with using a nanny share and doing the above is that it might be hard to suddenly bring the older child in for all those times, especially when it's at the other baby's house, esp. if that other baby is an only because there won't be any toys and activities for the 3 yr old. If the share is at your house, you could discuss with other parent having your older at home for those reasons, but they might not be comfortable with idea of sometimes 3 in the share. And taking 2 babies around to pick up/drop off at preschool would be a bear and a half, not to mention the 3 carseats your car or nanny's car would have to fit. Ugh.

Depends who you want/get.

My husband and I are trying to figure out whether to do a full time nanny or nanny share again after DC #2 is born. DC 1 will be 3.5 years and is already used to full day preschool with before and aftercare. Ideally since she loves preschool we would keep her there. DC one was in a nanny share until age 2.5 which we also loved (liked her having a playmate etc, we also lucked out with a great nanny and share family).

If we do full time nanny for DC 2 has anyone done drop off and pick up for preschool? What would you charge for those extra hours? Would it be unreasonable to have the nanny look after DC 1 when school is closed or she is mildly ill (with pay bump for those hours of course). Again what would be a reasonable rate for watching both kids?

We are trying to get a sense of the finances and what we can afford.