Nanny/Babysitter - in home

Other than agencies and family - can anyone tell me how you found your babysitter and if you don't mind - how much do you pay?

I'm thinking of putting an ad in Newsday in help wanted. Something like:

Wanted: full time live out babysitter
To watch our newborn in our home from 8AM-5PM M-F. Must have previous early childcare experience 3-5 references, legally allowed to work in US (documentation required) and willingness to cooperate in criminal and motor vehicle background check. Light housekeeping required.

How much is a reasonable salary to offer? Should I just put "salary based on experience". Is this a reasonable ad? I hope no one is offended, but I want someone who speaks English - can I request that in the ad? If I can't communicate with them I'm not all that comfortable with them carrying out my wishes for the baby 40 hours a week. It's nothing prejudice but English is the only language I'm fluent in.

If I'm out of my mind, kindly tell me. It's not every day I hire someone to come into my home with the responsibility of my most precious asset - alone!

Re: Nanny/Babysitter - in home

I am going to FM you! Have a lot of terrific information on this.

Re: Nanny/Babysitter - in home

Re: Nanny/Babysitter - in home

Posted by clwp

Posted by ExpectingJoy

I am going to FM you! Have a lot of terrific information on this.

YAY I've been so stressed over this topic. I thought you'd all be reading about me in the paper as "woman leaves infant with her cats while at work"

Re: Nanny/Babysitter - in home

ok, just fm'd.

Message edited 3/23/2008 3:46:27 PM.

Re: Nanny/Babysitter - in home

Our issue is that we don't want anyone living in our home for lots of reasons, but the biggest is that we don't have a bedroom for them. Hence why an aupair wouldn't work for us. I need someone to live out.

Re: Nanny/Babysitter - in home

Posted by Goldi0218

Posted by clwp

Posted by ExpectingJoy

YAY I've been so stressed over this topic. I thought you'd all be reading about me in the paper as "woman leaves infant with her cats while at work"

Well as long as they are declawed...ONLY KIDDING!!!!

Also, I do not see anything wrong with wanting an employee who speaks the same language as you do. Not sure of the legalities of it, but it would be my preference as well.

Yes, they are declawed and very "responsible".

I just want to be able to communicate properly with the person so that there are no misunderstandings of how I want the baby to be taken care of or my expectations of behavior while they are in my home. I don't mean to sound so Type A, but I have to honestly say - I'm one of those that probably should be a SAHM, but financially it doesn't make sense. I'm in sales so it's not like I'm totally inflexible during the course of my day and my territory is close to home. I don't have a lot of the expenses a lot of working people have (i.e. car, gas, etc.). So it pays for me to work, but childcare is so expensive - that's the only thing that makes me think about something part time or flex time. The biggest push in my mind to keep working is that I just got into my industry a year ago... I think if I took off now I'd have a hard time getting back in later when I'm ready to go back to work. If I had 10 years experience in this biz it'd be another story.

Re: Nanny/Babysitter - in home

I think that is a great ad!
You most def can say that you want someone who speaks English, and Salary can depend on Experience, however you might want to decide now, how much your willing to pay someone...and what range you wanting to stay in. As a former Nanny, I worked long hours and did light house work and was paid very well, so def do some research on what people are paying.

Re: Nanny/Babysitter - in home

I was worrying about the same thing. I am a teacher and won't be going back to school until late August. I would also love any information anyone could offer. This is great.

Re: Nanny/Babysitter - in home

I think you are right on here in your ad.

You need to be tough and choosy in your ad- it weeds out certain people who just won't cut it and saves them and you time. You are an employer, not their friend and this is your child, your most precious asset. IMO, someone who is "hungry", a hard worker, and a genuinely good employee won't mind this.

Nannies/Sitters should expect to do light housework pertaining to the children and light cooking also for the kids. Also, tidying up after them.

There are companies who do major background checks- everyone should do this, imo- and also I would check references meticulously. I ask all references at the outset if they are related to the potential employee in any way and also, change some of the facts of the past employment. I will say something like "So, this was a F/T position?" when you know that the person said part time or I will change the sex of the kids- "two girls, right?", just to make sure I am corrected on these points. Also, driving records, if they are driving your kids should be scrutinized. How old are they? How many moving violations? How high above the speeding limit were they going? Any accidents? Were they the driver?
Lastly, I know that this is nuts but I would google their name and see what I come up with. I googled someone I recently hired for a nanny position and one reference was from high school band, one from the church community service bulletin, and one was from facebook- just some harmless back and forth talk/pics between clean cut friends.

I'm not insane, I swear. My dh is an forensic investigator and basically does this kind of thing for a living. LOL!

Re: Nanny/Babysitter - in home

Best of luck in your search, I know how difficult this decision can be
As far as the language, when you speak with the person on the phone, you will know right then and there how well they speak English. I did not find it necessary to put that in the ad.
I would also read other ads to get ideas of what people write. You don't want to give away too much or leave out too much easier by what you write.