The best idea I can suggest is to find a parent of elementary-aged kids (same school schedule that you have!) and create a nanny split/share. Create a schedule together that takes into account your days/weeks (their kids are in school), their days/weeks (you’ll be off and with your child) and shared time (any days kids will be off that you have to work). Write the contract so that each family pays normal rate during their time, 75% each (150% total) when nanny has both families. Hire a nanny together, with the contract central to the interview (both families present). That’s the only way you’ll get out of guaranteed pay for that many weeks.

Make sure you have a plan for snow days (unless you’re in the exact same school, that might be shared days if you are working and they have off; it could also mean that you are paying for a day you stay home when the other family is in school).

Overall, you need to find an exceptional nanny. You need someone comfortable being flexible at the last minute. They need experience with infant through preteen. They need experience juggling an infant and elementary-age kids at the same time.

Anonymous wrote:Is guaranteed pay a must for nannies?
We will need nanny for 40 hours a week, however one parent is a teacher and therefore there is Thanksgiving break, Christmas break and Winter break.
Do we pay nanny whilst she's not be working?
Also, what do teachers who are parents do during the summer break with their nanny?
We have a 6 month old and intend to have another kids in about a year or so.

When I employ someone, I consider myself their permanent, full-time employer regardless of my personal situation. Otherwise how can I possibly expect they remain available to me?

I'll give you a couple of examples. We have a live-in, full time nanny.

Last week we went off for five days to enjoy some time together during the school break. She stayed home. Fully paid.

She is going to go to her home country for four weeks over Christmas. Fully paid.

Next week I will be home for three days. The nanny will continue working, and I will use this time to run errands and just relax.

If it was an occasional babysitter or house cleaner or whatever vendor, that's different, because you need them only ad-hoc. But someone who relies on you for their livelihood has the right to expect some stability.

I nannied for a teacher while I was in school and I am a teacher myself now. She didn't pay me during school breaks/holidays. I wound up really resenting the situation, especially over the long Christmas break when I had to borrow money to pay my rent. Not so merry. I did not stay for a full year but I would not have been able to remain available for the coming school year. I would have had to find another job for the summer and I would have been inclined to find a permanent job with guaranteed hours. Living without a reliable income was extremely difficult. I would not put my childcare provider in that position.

Anonymous wrote:Is guaranteed pay a must for nannies?
We will need nanny for 40 hours a week, however one parent is a teacher and therefore there is Thanksgiving break, Christmas break and Winter break.
Do we pay nanny whilst she's not be working?
Also, what do teachers who are parents do during the summer break with their nanny?
We have a 6 month old and intend to have another kids in about a year or so.

You are making quite a leap from inferring you don't need a nanny just because you happen to be off. It's a delight to have time off with childcare coverage! There is so much you can do. Keep the nanny. You will find that you can actually have some time off.

I am a teacher, single, mom of 1. Like most teachers (and teacher couples) I know, I work during the summer. My Au pair needs do not change.

Of course i pay my au pair even when i am on Thanksgiving/ Christmas/whatever break, and she is off duty most of that time . It is one of the few perks I can offer.

Yes, of course. Would you stay at a job that didn't pay you for all of the days off?

Yes, of course you pay your nanny. It wasn’t her decision not to work.

Most day cares will also make you pay during the summer to hold the spot.

One exception might be if you hire a mom of older (elementary school age) kids that doesn't NEED the money, but just wants a little extra spending cash. They would prefer to spend time with their own kids during breaks, so they might be ok with being "unemployed" for those short times.
BUT--with a situation like this you would not be getting a "professional" nanny. You'd probably need to be willing to make other concessions; for example, I knew a woman who babysat a teachers baby. The teacher brought her baby to the woman's house. If the woman's elementary age child had a class party, awards assembly, etc. then she brought the baby along.
So the teacher did save money, but she also had less control/dedication compared to a professional nanny.

Of course you pay.. you still get paid.. do you think her bills go away because you aren't working?

The fact that OP even asks this is mind boggling!

Yes you pay, if you do daycare you pay for your slot in the summer as well.

What I would probably do is still have the Nanny come but either only 2 days a week or work a shorter day, so the teacher parents can get some stuff done or just take a break.

MB here. Of course you pay. Well if you're ok settling for a mediocre nanny I suppose you can get away with not paying. But any good nanny you should expect to pay guaranteed hours

Yes, you pay. She is relying on that income. You get paid during your breaks.

For educated and experienced nannies, guaranteed pay is a must. If you aren’t guaranteeing pay someone else will and your nanny will go find that job. Most families offer paid holidays and paid two weeks of vacation. If you want to keep your nanny you will need to pay her. As for summers, that’s going to be hard. I wouldn’t take a position where I was out of a job for 2-3 months (would you?). A nanny might not be the best fit for your family.

Is guaranteed pay a must for nannies?
We will need nanny for 40 hours a week, however one parent is a teacher and therefore there is Thanksgiving break, Christmas break and Winter break.
Do we pay nanny whilst she's not be working?
Also, what do teachers who are parents do during the summer break with their nanny?
We have a 6 month old and intend to have another kids in about a year or so.