Nanny hiring questions

2-Step

I'm having my third child in early March and for the first time I am considering getting a part time nanny for the summer instead of paying for three in childcare. How early should I start looking and interviewing? I hate having child care undecided because summer care fills up really fast, so it is giving me anxiety. All of the centers are enrolling for summer and fall in mid-March so my nerves tell me to get something started before then just in case, but then maybe that is too soon? I just don't want to be left with all the good nannies taken! Does anyone have advice on what is normal as far as a timeframe? I don't want to start calling people who think I am crazy for asking 5 months in advance, but childcare is full everywhere here and most have waiting lists longer than that.

Also, I work from home in a flexible position, so this nanny would be here with my kids and I plan to pop out of my office to nurse the baby and possibly put him down for naps. Would you take that into consideration for the rate you pay, or would you pay the same? I'm just thinking they won't have to deal with bottles, feeding etc., but maybe that doesn't make that much of a difference. 

Anyone have a nanny and three kids? What do you pay hourly? Mine will be almost 7, 4.5 and 4 months when the nanny starts. My 7 year old will not always be here, as he is doing some summer camps. I'm thinking $15-$17 for two and $20 an hour for three? Is that reasonable? I live near Seattle, but in a pretty rural area about an hour from the city where childcare is quite a bit cheaper than the city. 

xc1148

I started early because I like to plan, but I discovered that nanny-hiring tends to move quickly, so keep that in mind. Some people wait till the last minute to look for jobs, or some people want to find a job right away and don't want to have a waiting period.

As for pay, I would pay the same even though you'll be home. 1) you will still be involved but if you get tied up she will need to work (and feeding isn't that much) and 2) you'll need to be competitive with another job anyway. Basically if her time is spent in your house, you need to pay her accordingly even if you're putting the baby to nap because she is stuck with you and not earning elsewhere.