Question for those that use a nanny

I really need to decide whether I want to get a nanny or continue to use daycare. I just don't know where to begin researching nannies.

I have a few questions. If any are too personal, feel free to not answer or FM.

Thanks

1) How did you find your nanny? (referral, agency, ad, etc.)

2) If you used an agency, how does it work? Do you pay on or off the books? Is there a "finders fee?"

3) Sorry if too personal, but what can I expect to pay for 2 children? newborn and toddler (18 months)

4) Do you pay holidays, sick and vacation? If so, which holidays? How many sick & vacation days?

5) Do you use a nanny cam?

6) Did you ever have a bad experience? If so, did you change nannies?

7) Do you allow your nanny to drive your DC? If so, do you provide the car?

That's all I can think of right now...if there's anything else you'd like to share, please do.

Message edited 11/25/2007 9:01:04 PM.

Re: Question for those that use a nanny

i just bumped a thread with some simialr questions I had posted not too long ago. i'm just starting my search but i spoke with someone at Nanny USA (Link ) who was very helpful in answering all of my questions. good luck!

Re: Question for those that use a nanny

1) How did you find your nanny? (referral, agency, ad, etc.)
--> She was recommended by the nanny who works across the street.

3) Sorry if too personal, but what can I expect to pay for 2 children? newborn and toddler (18 months)
--> Not sure, but we pay our nanny $100/day for our 4 (almost 5) month old

4) Do you pay holidays, sick and vacation? If so, which holidays? How many sick & vacation days?
--> We are basically paying her for everything (she only works 3 days/week). We have an agreement that she will only work 2 days/week over the summer (since I am a teacher).

5) Do you use a nanny cam?
--> We don't, but did consider it (and may still change our minds). I really have no worries, but it would be great for an extra peace of mind.

6) Did you ever have a bad experience? If so, did you change nannies?
--> No. But I know a few people who have and they've all changed nannies

7) Do you allow your nanny to drive your DC? If so, do you provide the car?
--> If our nanny drove, I'm pretty sure we'd allow her to drive DD (with restrictions on where they could go, of course). Our neighbors let their nanny use their car to take their DS around.

Hope that helps! It's SO tough, I know.

Re: Question for those that use a nanny

I really need to decide whether I want to get a nanny or continue to use daycare. I just don't know where to begin researching nannies.

I have a few questions. If any are too personal, feel free to not answer or FM.

Thanks

1) How did you find your nanny? (referral, agency, ad, etc.)
An agency - I can FM you the name and number if you want.

2) If you used an agency, how does it work? Do you pay on or off the books? Is there a "finders fee?"
You usually pay off the books and you pay the agency one week of your nanny's salary. The nanny is responsible to send him one week as well.

3) Sorry if too personal, but what can I expect to pay for 2 children? newborn and toddler (18 months)
I would think at least $500 a week for a live-in. More if live-out probably.

4) Do you pay holidays, sick and vacation? If so, which holidays? How many sick & vacation days?
Yes, we pay for sick days and holidays. And when we take vacation, she gets those days as paid days off - it works out to about 2 weeks a year.

5) Do you use a nanny cam?
Yes, and I highly recommend getting one - you really don't know what goes on until you have one.

6) Did you ever have a bad experience? If so, did you change nannies?
Because of my nanny cams, I am in the process of looking for a new nanny.

7) Do you allow your nanny to drive your DC? If so, do you provide the car?
Nanny doesn't drive so n/a.

That's all I can think of right now...if there's anything else you'd like to share, please do.

Re: Question for those that use a nanny

1) How did you find your nanny? Our first was through a referral agency, our second through the Parent Resource Center in Port Washington.

2) If you used an agency, how does it work? Do you pay on or off the books? Is there a "finders fee?" There was a fee, for us it was $1000. We pay off the books.

3) Sorry if too personal, but what can I expect to pay for 2 children? I'm paying $100/day for my 18 month old. I'll expect to pay her a little more once I have another.

4) Do you pay holidays, sick and vacation? If so, which holidays? How many sick & vacation days? Yes, we just pay her a flat $500/week whether she works 5 days or not. We typically take at least 1 vacation a year, and my office is closed between xmas and new years.

5) Do you use a nanny cam?
No

6) Did you ever have a bad experience? If so, did you change nannies?
No problems at all.

7) Do you allow your nanny to drive your DC? If so, do you provide the car? She doesn't, but that's because she doesn't have a reliable car. I haven't left her mine, but I probably will as he gets a little older.

Re: Question for those that use a nanny

1) How did you find your nanny? (referral, agency, ad, etc.) I was going to use a service but lucked out and found a local woman on Craigslist. I ran my own background checks through a company that does that specifically.

2) If you used an agency, how does it work? Do you pay on or off the books? Is there a "finders fee?" From what I understood from the agencies I did speak to, you pay a fee which is either a flat fee or a percentage of the nanny's salary. They will "replace" a nanny that doesn't work out during the first 30-90 days, depending on the agency, without an additional fee.

3) Sorry if too personal, but what can I expect to pay for 2 children? newborn and toddler (18 months) I am hoping to get a p/t live-in for about 30 hours a week for Room & Board and about $300 pay per week.

4) Do you pay holidays, sick and vacation? If so, which holidays? How many sick & vacation days? Yes, I pay for holidays, sick and vacation days. My current nanny works 3 days a week so she was given 3 weeks vacation/sick time which equates to 9 paid days off. Two weeks are vacation - one at her discretion and one week at mine. She gets the same holidays I get if they fall on one of her work days.

5) Do you use a nanny cam? Yes, it's live and I can see things in real time as well as record. She was made aware that I planning on using them during the interview process.

6) Did you ever have a bad experience? If so, did you change nannies? No, she has been wonderful and dd loves her.

7) Do you allow your nanny to drive your DC? If so, do you provide the car? Yes, but not right away. After about 7 months with us, I allowed it for socialization reasons. They go to playgroups and the park. I offered to provide her with my car but she prefers to use her own. I install the carseat for her.

Re: Question for those that use a nanny

1) How did you find your nanny? (referral, agency, ad, etc.)- I found my nanny by asking everyone I knew if they knew nannies, people who did in-home care, etc. It wound up that my downstairs land lady wanted to watch maddie- it couldn't have worked out better.

2) If you used an agency, how does it work? Do you pay on or off the books? Is there a "finders fee?" - not applicable

3) Sorry if too personal, but what can I expect to pay for 2 children? newborn and toddler (18 months). I pay $10 an hour for 1 kid, 3 days a week- it works out to about $300 a week. I know for PT care that it is $$$, but maddie gets wonderful care, and IMO child care isn't something you can scrimp on.

4) Do you pay holidays, sick and vacation? If so, which holidays? How many sick & vacation days? any holiday that falls on her normal days, she gets paid for. We do not do sick/vacation days- and she's never been sick.

5) Do you use a nanny cam? no

6) Did you ever have a bad experience? If so, did you change nannies? I have never had a bad experience. MY nanny has two daughters in elementary school (9 and 10) who are wonderful, well manner, adorable children- so I know my nanny does a GREAT job.

7) Do you allow your nanny to drive your DC? If so, do you provide the car? Yes she does go out w. her but it is very rare and no i don't provide the car.