OP, at 2.5 years, be prepared for your DC to test you when you start with the nanny, even if you lay the ground rules. So, you have to be prepared to deal with that. When I work from home, my 2.5 year old DS is ALWAYS trying to get to me. The key is staying in your office or separate space, and being prepared to say "what did [nanny] say you could do?" when your DC comes knocking on the door to appeal nanny's ruling. We always defer to the nanny during the day when she is on. I've even had to make my son repeat the family mantra "who is in charge? [Nanny] is in charge" for him at points, especially if he perceives any difference in approach (wily toddler!). Anyway, you have gotten great advice from the nannies and other MBs on this thread, but I just want to prepare you for your child to test this more than you think - my DS was fine before he hit 2.5, but now he loves to devise ways to get mommy to come out of the office, so I just keep working and ignore the fake meltdowns and rule appeals that he will sometimes lob my way.

Sorry, PP here. I forgot to say that was for if you pay for the second interview or not.

If it's 1:1 time with you just in the other room listening, watching and seeing how they interact for a bit then I wouldn't assume I were to get paid for it, but I also wouldn't expect it to last more than 20-30 minutes either as you can usually see what you are looking for in that amount of time.

If you then go away to another area of the house and are essentially putting them out of your mind and focusing on other stuff, or doing that from the start, then I would pay for the whole time no matter how long it is.

I have been a nanny for a WAHM for 4 years. We are fortunate because we have a great relationship. One thing to consider is how the two of you get along. Getting along with your nanny is a much bigger deal when you're together all the time. It's almost like a roommate situation.

When I started my charge was just over a year. From the very beginning she learned that Mommy's office was off limits and Mommy was working. I am in charge when I'm on the clock. Mom doesn't step in and undermine me which is VERY important. Whenever Mom had an important call we would play in the finished basement or leave the house.

There will be nannies who say it's a terrible idea but my experience has been wonderful.