Hi & ? RE Nanny

MrsMoher

Hey ladies!  I am back to work (boo!) and am so far behind it's not funny.  I am hating life at work right now, since it is eating up so much of my time with the kids at home even.  I miss you all!!!  I need to come to a gtg the next time there is one! 

On to my questions on nannies.  I absolutely LOVE my daycare, but they make what should be a 20 min. commute take an hour each night, so I would like to find something out in Alexandria.  I know of a few daycare options, but I want to think through other options, possibly a nanny.  That would mean we get home as early as possible to spend time with the kids and it would mean that next year there is someone home to get Eli from the bus when he goes to kindergarten (OMG - how is he old enough that I have to think about that).  However I know nothing about nannies. 

What's a decent pay range in our area?  What's the rules with sick days and vacation?  How do you pay a nanny, as far as taxes and SS are concerned?  Assuming I decide to do this, where should I look for a nanny?  Isn't there a site for it?  Do nannies do any teaching or do they just babysit the kids?  Would a nanny take the kids out, to the park/library, etc or just stay home?  Would they want me to stay home with them (like day care does) if they have a mild illness?  I am thinking back to Eli's ear infection days when he had to stay home after the meds were in his system and he was already feeling ok.  Anything else I should know about nannies? 

Traycee1242

Sorry things are so crazy for you right now!!! I hope they settle down soon.

 

I can give you some perspective on the nanny situation... I nanny part time and have for 6 years.

It's hard to say on pay range as I've been with the family for so long that I make much more than the "going rate"... but it's typically $10-15 an hour depending on experience, etc.

I can't offer you much on where to look as the family I nanny for are my parents next door neighbors.. my job kind of accidentally happened when I was "working from home" 2 days a week at my job with not much to do... my parents neighbors had a 3 month old and their sitter fell through.. I stepped in and it worked perfectly... then when I got pregnant with DS I quit my job, picked up an extra day nannying and have the best of both worlds.. do what I love with kiddos I love and can bring my baby with me.

I absolutely take the kids anywhere and everywhere... always have. We do zoo, aquarium, library, story time, park, playdates... the 6 year old was in all day kindergarten, will be 1st grade next year and I get her off the bus (she's already gone when I get there at 8) but will take her brother to and from preschool next year. Help her with homework.. basically everything a Mom would do : )  That's the wonderful thing about a nanny... they become an extension of your family. If you find the right person, it's just a wonderful relationship. The little girl I nanny for was the flowergirl in my wedding.

As far as sickness goes, I always work when the kids are sick. which luckily has been few and far between. We were more careful when I was pregnant (and this time too) but I typically don't get sick. They always call before and give me a heads up... And now with DS, if they are sick (or if he is) I can get my parents to help out as they live right next door. In 6 years I've never taken a sick day (I seriously have never been sick on the days I'm working.. I work 3, 10 hour days) but they have someone on back up if I would need to... or one of them would take a sick/personal day. I think this is something that can be up for discussion and decided between the two of you. 

I've taken the kids to the Dr before, different appointments.. whatever they need.

I get 2 weeks vacation and 5 sick days paid. I get 2 bonus's a year and if I don't use the sick/vacation days I get paid for them. We've worked out our own maternity leave as well.

As far as finding a nanny... there are various sites/agencies you can go through.. they will set up pay/taxes,etc and set up interviews for you to hire someone. The agencies will get a % of the pay though. You can also go through craigslist... and then do your own background checks, police records, etc.

If I had to work and leave my child and could afford it.. .I would definitely go the nanny route... it's been so wonderful for us. I don't "need" to work, we had always planned for me to be a SAHM. But the thought of leaving absolutely breaks my heart. I can't do it. I love these kids with everything I have and will always be close to them. It's so great for the kids too.. they get to be in their home and like you said the parents don't have to pick them up, which saves time and gives them the most quality time with their kids.

I'd be happy to answer any other questions... sorry this got so long winded!!! I tend to ramble : ) 

 

 

 

Mrs.Cooley2bee

I kind of feel like I have a nanny since my sitter only watches my kids.  We do take them to her house because her twins in the 2nd grade get on and off the bus there etc.

Sick Days/ Vacation: She has only been sick once. but it is up to us to have a back-up plan.  If we go on vacation we don't have to pay her.  If she goes on vacation we find back-up care and she does not get paid.  For federal holidays we do pay here even if the kids are not there.  If the kids are sick she will call us but she is always willing to keep them if they are just a little under the weather or if they are feeling better and still on meds.

Teaching: She does teach the kids.  They do all kinds of age appropriate activities.  She takes them on outings on a regular basis.  She already had a Zoo pass, I bought her an Aquarium and Totter Otterville pass as well. There is a pool in her neighborhood that the can use in the summer as well. 

Pay: we pay her like a normal in-home daycare because doesn't come to our home. So we are getting a SUPER deal. 250 a week (includes both kids).

In general I think it's reasonable to think that the nanny would be teaching your children and taking them on outings etc.

Good Luck with your decision!

dori851

Hi! I am actually a nanny myself & I absolutely love it and love the family I work with! I am here from 7am-4:30pm everyday and watch a 1yo and bring my son along with me (10 mos). I charge $8/hr which is actually pretty cheap for around here (I live and work in Mason). I know a lot of my friends who are nannies won't take anything less than $10. I charge less because I bring my son along with me which saves me a lot of $ that I'd be spending on daycare if I had to work somewhere else. Anyway.. with sick days and vacations, if I'm sick or on vacation, I don't get paid. If the family I nanny for takes a vacation, I don't get paid either. However, if the LO I'm nannying for is sick, I DO get paid.. or if the mom/dad decide to take a day off work, I get paid as well (THEIR choice, not mine). I wouldn't mind either way. As far as taxes are concerned, with this family, they don't take taxes out of my weekly check. The previous family I nannyed for DID though. Kind of a pain.. but oh well. My family found me on care.com, I also know there is a site called sittercity.com. They provide background checks, references, etc. They are both great sites! As far as teaching goes.. I have never been asked to teach the kids anything, so I normally just play with them, make sure they get what they need, etc. If the parents wanted me to teach the kids, tutor them, etc., I'd be perfectly fine to do so. So I think you'd just have to ask! I (and I would assume most nannies) will not just sit at home all day (at least I'd hope not!) I love being outside with the kids, going to the park, library, zoo, etc. I'd definitely find someone that won't sit inside with your kids all day, everyday. I do not require the mom to stay home when the 1yo has a mild illness. And I even have a child!! LOL But no, as long as she is on meds and on the mend, I don't mind to come over and watch her. All these questions are just from my perspective as a nanny. I'm sure you'll find different people that say different things. I love it & if you can find a good nanny, I'm sure you & your kids will love it as well!

buckeyebaby2011

I did some research on nannies as that was what I really wanted to do for childcare. I only have one child and the cost for us was prohibitive as it was about twice the cost of daycare.  It would have made more sense of I had 2 children in daycare as the cost would have been more in line with daycare since nannies don't get double their salaries for a second child.  I found that to get a nanny it was going to cost a minimum of $10/hour and we would have to withhold at least SS and medicare taxes from her check as well as pay the employer portion of those taxes in order to pay her legally.  Nannies are considered household employees and as such by law, if they make over $1700/yr, you have to withhold these taxes.  I think you may also have to do something with unemployment withholdings as well.  For us it didn't make sense to spend that kind of money and all the hassle of payroll as well.