https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 27 May 2026 22:40:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-nanny-search#post-2394471 Sat, 19 Dec 2015 08:36:35 +0000 Anagram 2394471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@winniebee: Do you mind telling me about what you learned the hard way about PTO? Just coming back to this as I've started contacting nannies for interviews.</p> <p>I'm actually looking for hire a nanny just for 6 months...Jan-end of June, which I'll make clear...with the option to continue at that point if we are still happy with the situation, or the option to start LO2 in daycare at that point if we feel she needs more stimulation.</p> <p>I'm a teacher and have school holidays (spring break, a short winter break in Jan, other small holidays like memorial weekend), so since I'm just offering a job Jan-June, what kind of PTO is appropriate? I'm going to offer a monthly (or weekly) salary and give them paid days off when I have school holidays, plus just 3 sick days to use in those 6 months. Does that sound reasonable? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-nanny-search#post-2388576 Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:11:32 +0000 Littlebit7 2388576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: id also try to stipulate that she needs to give you X weeks notice if she decides to leave if she expects you to give her a reference. Just as you are discussing offering severance I think the street should run both ways. I've had friends whose Nannys tell them a week ahead of leaving. </p> <p>Do you have a car? Can or will she drive it? Does she have a clean driving record?<br /> Public transportation? What types are you comfortable letting her take LO on? (I don't know what type of area you live in)</p> <p>If your family takes a vacation do you still pay her? Will that count as her vacation?</p> <p>Agree on household duties. What she is comfortable doing and what you would like to be done (or not done, for that matter. I'm fine with folding laundry but I'm more particular about actually doing the laundry). Last week my part time nanny basically cleaned my entire house unasked because the baby took a long nap. But I reminded her this wasn't expected every time. (But I was actually doing backflips on the inside because she CLEANED my house best.day.ever) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-nanny-search#post-2388481 Mon, 14 Dec 2015 21:04:08 +0000 LindsayLou 2388481@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nanny perspective here. Duties should definitely be defined, but I would ask what they feel they should/would be doing first. Get a sense of whether they'd be comfortable throwing in a load of laundry or the like, and if they'd automatically load the dishwasher or would have to explicitly told to. </p> <p>I'd ask what they'd do in a situation where both kids are present and both kids need her attention. Ask what sort of meals she'd prepare for the kids. If she's be comfortable watching a sick kid. What she would do if she's sick. How would she manage if your 1 year old just wouldn't nap?</p> <p>I'd ask what they would imagine the day to look like before you get into talking about your routines and schedules. Would she take they outside? Would she do art projects? Would she have things planned or make it up as she went? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-nanny-search#post-2388461 Mon, 14 Dec 2015 20:49:49 +0000 winniebee 2388461@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Trust your instincts. If there are red flags, trust your gut. Check out all references. Our nanny is responsible for children meal preparation (not dinner), cleaning up after children's meals, tidying up toys, and children's laundry. But, she's primarily responsible for our 1yo as the older is in preschool while she is there, and it's in her contract that she may be responsible for preschool drop offs/pick ups and/or bringing children to activities. She asked for more hours (she's part time) so the way that we were able to accommodate that is that she does more housework. Primary responsibility is always the baby, but with extra hours and a baby who naps 2-3 hours a day, she gets it done. </p> <p>We have a nanny contract with our nanny. It spells out PTO (including whether and when she's paid when the family is on vacation) and also when PTO accrues. You should consider a trial period before PTO or severance accrues. I learned the hard way with our first nanny! Our contract does not provide for severance. We say we will give 2 weeks notice, except in the event that we feel the safety of our children is at issue. </p> <p>Also, I've found that being generous rather than penny pinching (not saying you are or would!) has garnered a lot of good will with our nanny! Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-nanny-search#post-2388415 Mon, 14 Dec 2015 20:23:38 +0000 Anagram 2388415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: good idea. Anyone else? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-nanny-search#post-2387856 Mon, 14 Dec 2015 13:32:29 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2387856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For severance I would specify if you terminate due to change in needs versus you terminating due to the nanny not performing the job well. Meaning, if you have to move or something, it would be nice to offer a week or two pay as severance but if you have to terminate because the nanny did something unsafe you wouldn't necessarily want to have to pay that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-nanny-search#post-2387854 Mon, 14 Dec 2015 13:31:55 +0000 Anagram 2387854@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh I just remembered. We should also define duties, right? Like nanny's first priority is taking care of baby....but would also do stuff like wash/sanitize bottles, wash clothing in the event of pee/poopsplosions, tell me when we are low on diapers or whatever, pick up toys as they go....what else?</p> <p>I don't expect them to do any housework that isn't related to the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tips-for-nanny-search#post-2387851 Mon, 14 Dec 2015 13:29:46 +0000 Anagram 2387851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are back to considering a nanny for LO2, for a variety of reasons. I know several people here have had a nanny or have been a nanny--am interested to hear from both.</p> <p>What should I cover in an interview? What types of things should I absolutely put into a contract? Off the top of my head, I'm thinking:</p> <p>-Experience<br /> -CPR training/certification/choking protocol<br /> -Schedules and routine<br /> -what nanny eats (brings her own? something else?)<br /> -Pay/holidays/sick days<br /> -severance if we let her go (under what conditions?)<br /> -discipline<br /> -method of child rearing (like yes CIO is okay, or no it isn't)<br /> -social media<br /> -phone usage<br /> -outings</p> <p>What else am I missing?? Please tell me your wisdom... </p>