Even disregarding the cost, I don't like using temp nannies for a week of vacation (or however long the nanny is gone). Quality is hit or miss as I have almost no say in who the agency sends, and even the good ones won't be familiar with my kid's schedules, likely won't do much child-related clean-up, and my kid will be scared / upset to be left with a stranger. I'll use those services when I need to, like when our nanny is sick or has a personal emergency, but for long absences with advance notice, I'd much rather prefer a family member.

That said, we try to give off our nanny as much time as we can and announce it as far in advance as possible so she can also make plans. We also pay out any unused vacation time at the end of the year, so that if she decides the amount and timing of our vacations is enough for her that year, she can take "vacation of nanny's choice" as extra pay instead.

Anonymous wrote:They scheduled their vacations to coincide with mine. So much for getting extra time off.

Oh poor you.

My husband and I get two weeks off. If one of us has to take off to cover your vacation, then that means we get one week vacation, at best given we may need to use our leave if you get sick or another emergency. To me, its common sense for everyone to vacation at the same time. Most families cannot afford to pay you and a temp. nanny.

Anonymous wrote:But you get paid vacation--just on their schedule, right? And do you get enough notice to make your own plans?

Yes, it is still paid time off that I’m totally grateful for, cause it’s nice to have a paid break, regardless of who choose when it happens. It’s more like, “Hey, were going out of town next week/in a couple weeks, so we’re not gonna need you from this date until this date.”
I can’t afford to actually have a proper vacation anyway, lol.

Anonymous wrote:Good luck! When our nanny hit the top of the pay scale we were able to manage, we added more time off in lieu of a raise.

Thanks for the well wishes

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't get any paid time off for vacations?

Unfortunately not, and it’s totally my fault. I accepted my current position a few years ago when I was desperate to escape another job. Their terms sounded great at the time, but I think they just can’t afford to pay for their time off and mine.

They’re not bad people and I love the kid, though. It’s just not the best job for that and other reasons so I’m actually job-hunting at the moment.

But you get paid vacation--just on their schedule, right? And do you get enough notice to make your own plans?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't get any paid time off for vacations?

Unfortunately not, and it’s totally my fault. I accepted my current position a few years ago when I was desperate to escape another job. Their terms sounded great at the time, but I think they just can’t afford to pay for their time off and mine.

They’re not bad people and I love the kid, though. It’s just not the best job for that and other reasons so I’m actually job-hunting at the moment.

Good luck! When our nanny hit the top of the pay scale we were able to manage, we added more time off in lieu of a raise.

Anonymous wrote:You don't get any paid time off for vacations?

Unfortunately not, and it’s totally my fault. I accepted my current position a few years ago when I was desperate to escape another job. Their terms sounded great at the time, but I think they just can’t afford to pay for their time off and mine.

They’re not bad people and I love the kid, though. It’s just not the best job for that and other reasons so I’m actually job-hunting at the moment.

Anonymous wrote:If I ask for days off, I don’t get paid for them, but if my employers are taking time off and therefore don’t need me, then they’ll pay me.

I wish I had employers who would work with me to coincide a schedule that works for everyone. I wouldn’t mind that arrangement at all =]

You don't get any paid time off for vacations?

If I ask for days off, I don’t get paid for them, but if my employers are taking time off and therefore don’t need me, then they’ll pay me.

I wish I had employers who would work with me to coincide a schedule that works for everyone. I wouldn’t mind that arrangement at all =]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Find out when they take their vacation and change your plans

Presumably OP has already put in a vacation request, and that's why the family made plans to cover that time. Our contract required 30 days' notice for vacation time, precisely so that we *could* make plans to either take the time off ourselves or make alternate childcare arrangements. If she then decides not to go on vacation after all, she's out of luck.

Plans can change. She changes and give you 30 days notice. Nannies are employees not slaves.

Sure, but that likely still means she has to take the time unpaid if I have already made arrangements to take time off or hire a temporary caregiver. So there's no gain there. Generally there is not a provision to rescind vacation requests (just as there is not for my job).

That said, if a legitimate issue came up (like the snowstorm with flight cancellations) I'd try to work with the nanny on it--either reschedule my own vacation if possible or offer to give time off unpaid for either her original or rescheduled vacation.

Of course nannies are not slaves. That is why they get paid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Find out when they take their vacation and change your plans

Presumably OP has already put in a vacation request, and that's why the family made plans to cover that time. Our contract required 30 days' notice for vacation time, precisely so that we *could* make plans to either take the time off ourselves or make alternate childcare arrangements. If she then decides not to go on vacation after all, she's out of luck.

Plans can change. She changes and give you 30 days notice. Nannies are employees not slaves.

I don't even understand this comment. You just like to post "nannies are not slaves" on every thread, don't you?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Find out when they take their vacation and change your plans

Presumably OP has already put in a vacation request, and that's why the family made plans to cover that time. Our contract required 30 days' notice for vacation time, precisely so that we *could* make plans to either take the time off ourselves or make alternate childcare arrangements. If she then decides not to go on vacation after all, she's out of luck.

Plans can change. She changes and give you 30 days notice. Nannies are employees not slaves.