Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for the feedback ... My question is, what IS the way to keep our nanny? If we kept her in the afternoons, for example, is there such a thing as random backup care for the mornings when there's no preschool?

Childcare plus preschool is very costly.
You need to redo your job spec and first talk to your nanny about the changes/new needs and what pay you are offering. Give her a week to think about it and her personal budget. If she decides it's not for her find someone who can do afternoons and snow days, etc.

Why not keep your nanny 1 more year and once they are 3.5 put them in all day preschool that way you don't need an aupair

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for the feedback ... My question is, what IS the way to keep our nanny? If we kept her in the afternoons, for example, is there such a thing as random backup care for the mornings when there's no preschool?

You basically keep paying her for the hours your kids are in school. I would gladly give up "luxuries" like cable, netflix, dinners' out, etc to keep a good nanny for even one child much less twins.


My sister did the au pair route and lived to regret it. Even the au pair people say it is best not to use an au pair for kids younger than elementary school.

OP, that is something you will have to work out with your nanny. I love my current family, but there is no way I could go without a full time wage, it is also difficult to find part time morning jobs to make up the difference.

Your nanny may be able to work something out with you.
Nor would I want a family to change their goals just to keep me.


Back-up on call sitters do exist. I did this for a time. You can advertise for this.

Another option, When a former charge went to preschool my old family and new full time family made sort of an occasional share arrangement on holidays and vacations I had my former charge and the baby. Sick days were handled by someone else.

Can they wait a year and a half for preschool and do other activities in the meantime? 2.5 seems young for school, especially for more then two mornings a week.