Anyone getting a Nanny?

soozek205 · July 2010

I live in NYC and both my husband and I work full time. In these parts, Nannies are comparable in price to daycare, and daycare is hard to come by without getting on a waiting list.

Anyway, was just wondering if anyone else out there is getting a Nanny, and if so how will you research and when? I can't imagine that on top of finding the perfect crib, stroller, carseat etc., I also have to find the perfect WOMAN! Jeesh, no pressure.

dec07nj · July 2010

We had been planning on getting one and doing a nanny-share with my friend/neighbor who is due a month before me. People recommended that we begin our search on sittercity.com.

That looked promising. Then we found out my friend is having twins... so... that's out. There's no one I would trust with 3 infants of the same age. It's not worth it. So, we're looking at daycare.

momo21 · July 2010

Check out the mommy groups in NYC for resources. Babybites and Big City Moms were the ones I used to be a part of. If there is not something about finding nannies on their websites, I am sure they will both be hosting some type of luncheon to discuss the topic sometime soon.

One thing to consider when going with a nanny vs. daycare in NYC is that you will be expected to set up playdates with other nannies. Also, you will most likely have to pay for the nanny to take baby to classes (music, gymnastic, swimming, etc.), which are not cheap (and it sucks to pay for someone else to do it, when you will want to do it yourself!).

(Disclaimer: I never had a nanny in New York, but these are the things I heard other moms debating at the mommy groups.)

MariaIsMarried · July 2010

My uncle had an au pair through an agency that background checks and trains them...

However they had bad luck and went through 3 in 2 years and the kids are in daycare now.(BIggest problem being the nannies missed their bf's at home)

soozek205 · July 2010

Thanks for the tip -- quick question, why are you expected to set up play dates with other Nannies? Who expects it? The Nanny? I'm not against it, just curious!

kpv · July 2010

We probably will. We live in San Francisco and the daycare situation is similar - almost everyone we know has a nanny. The people I know waited until they were on maternity leave to start researching/interviewing nannies because nannies don't really know their availability this far in advance.

te amo · July 2010

dec07nj:
We had been planning on getting one and doing a nanny-share with my friend/neighbor who is due a month before me. People recommended that we begin our search on sittercity.com.
That looked promising. Then we found out my friend is having twins... so... that's out. There's no one I would trust with 3 infants of the same age. It's not worth it. So, we're looking at daycare.

I know every state has different standards, but where I live at daycares one teacher is allowed and usually does have 4 infants to take care of by themselves. Granted they probably won't all be the same age, but something to think/ask about when looking a daycares. My MIL owns a few daycares and I don't plan on putting my baby in daycare until their 1 for this reason.

Mrs.LD813 · July 2010

We are toying with the idea. DH runs a golf course, and needs to be there basically for all daylight hours, so from April to Sept., he is up and out of the house BEFORE the crack of dawn. I am a middle school teacher, and leave the house at 6am to get to work for 6:30am. The kids walk in the door off the bus at 7, so I can push the time I arrive up a little, but even doing that, it is going to be hard finding a daycare that is on my way to work that opens early enough.

The tricky thing with a nanny is that I wouldn't need her for the summer. I am planning on goign through an angency if we go this route (b/c the agency does official background checks, and interviews, and then I can interview as well), so I am hoping they can find a spot for our nanny for the summer with a family that just has a summer need (maybe slightly older kids who are in school during the school year and need someone for the summer?).

I also don't want the nanny to have to live with us. We have the space, but I just don't want that invasion of privacy.

Milo5181 · July 2010

I am in Brooklyn too. I belong to a listserv for my neighborhood and, along with notices for yardsales and things, people put up notices looking for a nanny or advertising when they have a good one who will be moving on from their family. I am hoping to find a nanny share in my nabe, that would be really awesome.

mrs.gee · July 2010

soozek205:
Thanks for the tip -- quick question, why are you expected to set up play dates with other Nannies? Who expects it? The Nanny? I'm not against it, just curious!

I live in Brooklyn and have a nanny and I do not have to set up playdates. She has a huge network of other nanny friends and does this on her own. I have on occasion given her the names and phone numbers of nannies who take care of friends' kids and she has developed some friendships there, although I am very careful about not forcing her to hang out with people if she doesn't herself get along with them. She has also taken my son to music and other classes, plus story time and sing-a-longs that she finds herself and pays for with petty cash we leave for her.

If you have any questions specifically about finding a nanny in Brooklyn (I think we may even live in the same neighborhood), feel free to PM me. It's a great arrangement if you need flexible hours, and not to fear, you will find the right person.

sometimesalwayschaotic · July 2010

I have been a nanny for 1.5 years for an infant. I think it's so good for the child because they get one on one attention. I was found through mutual friends. I would ask around, and you never know what you'll find. Many teachers right now are out of work and they make wonderful well qualified nannies. Good luck!

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