Switching to nanny: what details to work out?

TheBorg7of9 · October 2013

Help please. We have been using daycare for the past year and a half for our 20 month old son. I am now 28 weeks pregnant with our second son. We have asked our regular babysitter to be our temporary nanny until my maternity leave. During maternity leave, she would work part-time for us (mornings only). Then after maternity leave, she knows we will be looking for a permanent nanny for our two boys, starting in May.

Anyway, I am now nervous about making the change!

First question: we are working out the details tomorrow when she is coming over to babysit. What are the details we should nail down? So far, I have

1.) Start and end times (7:30 to 6:00 four days a week). MIL is coming the other day.

2.) Pay (She has agreed to $11 an hour.)

3.) Taxes (We are paying her over the table, so I have to figure out state withholding, federal withholding, social security and medicare)

4.) Will you take DS to gymboree classes and museums and stuff?

5.) Do you feel comfortable driving our car? (Have to add her to insurance)

6.) Discipline (timeouts only and only for serious things like biting, etc.)

What else?

Second question: Such a big change! We really liked our daycare, but couldn't handle finding backup care all the time when he was sick or bit another kid. Any good stories about changing and anything surprise you??

Thanks!

TCMom78 · October 2013

Allowed to do play dates? If so, with who? Notify you when leaving the house? Exceptions like within town, scheduled activities? Keeping a daily log of diapers, naps, food? Wash kids clothes, bottles, dishes? Clean up after kids? Cook for kids? Run your errands, start dinner? Basically set up your expectation in advance. Sick days? Vacation days? Pick up/dropboff at daycare/preschool (my daughter goes to PS three days, but one year old is home five days, so sometimes I ask nanny to shop or do an errand on days when it's just te baby at home). What is the schedule? How much tv time is ok for kids? What programs are ok? What are your expectations for "learning" activities (do you expect nanny to teach stuff, like letters, etc)? Should she help identify playgroups, classes, for the kids. Should she have her own car? Will you provide museum passes? or any other "benefits" like $ toward health insurance? CPR and first aid certifications expected ?

NicoleWI · October 2013

PP had all really good things. Also, policies re: her use of your computer, tv, etc. What you would like her to do while kids are napping (straighten up? clean up the kitchen? just read a book on the couch?). Expectations re: kids' use of TV. Expectations re: taking them outside, outings, etc. Good luck!

TheBorg7of9 · October 2013

Wow! Thanks!

MickeyM04 · October 2013

Echo all PP's comments. Definitely set out your expectations. I wouldn't ask about TV time, I would tell her. Also decide whether you want to prepare meals in advance for her to heat up, pull out of fridge, whatever, or if you expect her to handle meals. Things like her use of your food, beverage, etc. We don't care about things like internet, TV, etc. (other than that DS is not allowed to watch TV yet), but we made clear we expected her to bring her own food, juice, etc. We did not want to have to buy groceries for another adult who was going to be in the house all week.

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