My return to work date is officially Feb 26. DH doesn't get home from work until jan 31. If I wait until he's home, is that allowing enough time?
Oh the dread!
-
My best friend just went back to work, and she started researching and interviewing child care options before her son was born. She had a almost 4 month maternity leave. We do live in a major city, though.
-
Definitely start now. The last thing you want to feel is rushed.
-
We reserved a daycare spot when I was still pregnant (just to make sure we had one) but I didn't start touring places until I was about 6 months from going back. Daycare in my town fills up super quickly!
-
I go back first week of feb. I started looking when I had about 7 weeks of mat leave left. I started by posting a job on care.com. Waited until I got a bunch of responses and then chose 5 to interview. I'm doing trial days right now as I hope I can make a decision next week because I only have 3 weeks left. I would start looking. You can at least post the job right now and start sifting thru applicants.
-
I'm looking now. I'm terrified and considering not going back. Or I am going to ask about part time this week.
-
@mrskc: I just posted the job today...I am super nervous. This is a really big deal! Just a funny aside, I'm also ruling out people who's profile pic is like all sexy and they're dressed to go to the club. What are some of these people thinking?!? Have you been pleased with the people you've found so far?
@kml636: I hear you! I am dreading going back and especially dreading leaving the love of my life in a stranger's hands:(
-
@PrincessBaby: yeah, I judge a little based on their profile pic. I haven't seen any clubwear yet tho. I've found some good people so far. I was surprised how many people couldn't even write me message with correct spelling and grammar. I ruled those out immediately. One even spelled you like u. Lol it is a big decision tho! I'm so nervous to leave him. I have a few irrational fears about it.
-
@PrincessBaby: lol I also judge based on the pic. So far I found one lady I liked, but she's still a STRANGER! I had a friend with a 9 week old offer, but I'm just not sure.
-
We are giving ourselves a month or so to find a nanny. We want a backup option if we need to pull LO out of daycare. So far, I'm not thrilled with any of our applicants but in super picky and have high expectations.
-
@littlek: you should be picky, it's an important decision!
-
@kml636: Wow- that is a toughie...I would be leery of anyone keeping my baby that had another child, especially a very young one- like that is the whole point of me doing a nanny instead of daycare (part of it anyway) is that I want someone to take the same level of care/attention as I give her while she's still so small...BUT if I had a friend offer to nanny, someone that I knew and could trust, that would be very tempting. Even if they were also taking care of a new baby...The scariest part of hiring a nanny is like you said, it's a STRANGER. I wish we knew anyone here that would be willing to keep her, bc the stranger thing is just....scary as hell! Good luck in whatever you decide:)
@mrskc: Do you have a list of interview questions from somewhere? Did you have them come to your home for an interview? And how do you decide what to pay them if they have their rate listed as a range, like $10-$20. Do I make that call that I want to pay, say $12 or whatever I decide on? And are you going to allow your nanny to drive with your baby, like to run errands or do activities? I'm thinking I don't want that, but things may come up where the nanny has to bring her somewhere I guess, and so are you/should I be buying a car seat for the nanny? Sorry for all the questions!!!!
-
Oh and I forgot to mention that a British nanny replied to my ad, she's in her 60s and was an elementary school teacher in England. I'm having Ms Doubtfire fantasies! I am pretty excited about her!!!
-
@PrincessBaby: haha fun!!
hopefully she doesn't turn out to be a man 
-
@PrincessBaby: I pulled questions from the first two links. The first one is Mrs. Bee's nanny interview questions and the second list is from care.com. I held the interviews at a nearby Starbucks to make it more comfortable for me and the interviewee. You could also do initial interviews by phone but I decided to just skip that and meet 5 in person. During the interview I straight up asked them what they wanted to get paid. My husband and I can afford $10/hr and not much higher. So if their number was far off then it just wasn't going to be a good fit. I then let them know that we could pay $10/hour. All were perfectly fine with the $10/hr rate.
I don't want the nanny driving my baby around, so that will be known to her. I will probably leave the car seat at home. The infant seat can be used with out the base, so I guess if there were ever any situation, then she could take her own car with him. I guess that would only be some sort of emergency though. My situation is a bit different because my husband is a teacher and I'll be working part time for awhile, we only need a nanny until the end of May b/c he'll be on summer break. If I was looking for more of a long term nanny, I might reconsider the driving thing. Your LO is still so little, so there would be no reason to take her anywhere unless you want your nanny to grocery shop for you. You could say no driving and then reevaluate after awhile. Hope I answered all your questions! Let me know if you have any others. We're both going thru the same process right now.
http://www.hellobee.com/2011/12/15/nanny-interview-questions/
http://www.care.com/child-care-questions-checklist-p1145-q8385549.html
Care's nanny interview article:
http://www.care.com/child-care-how-to-interview-a-nanny-p1017-q8879636.html -
I am a nanny so I can probably help with a few of your questions from the other side of things.
As far as timing-- you probably want to have someone picked by 2-3 weeks before you go back to work. If the person you decide on is still working elsewhere they will probably need to give notice so you need to give yourself a little time to accomodate that.
A lot of people are nervous about the nanny driving their child, some things to consider are:
How long are the days? If you need someone for 10 hours they might go nuts sitting in your house with an infant unless you live in a walkable community. 50 hours a week in the same place will burn anyone out quickly. At the very least, make sure that you pick someone who will take long walks with H and play outside with her.If you decide to reconsider about driving-- make sure you pull their driving record, it is NOT included in the background checks. Also, check their insurance and make sure their car is safe. Show them how to put the seat in properly. If you want to buy them a seat (which is a safer option since the installing it often might be a pain for some people) consider buying a convertible seat instead of a bucket so you at least can use it longer.
Feel free to give a strict driving radius and ask for details about what they are doing each day. While you shouldn't have to micromanage a good nanny, she should be up front about everything.
I know it is a pain but for each initial interview meet the nanny somewhere else like a coffee shop. There is no need to let anyone you haven't met into your house. Also, when you narrow your field of applicants down, send them an email with questions-- you can narrow things down even better that way, plus it is a good way to ask those questions that sometimes feel awkward in person.
For pay-- a good way to handle this is to ask what they are currently paid. Mostly though, decide on your budget and stick to it. If someone is great and they want/need more you can always consider some perks that might help them but wouldn't be super costly to you (the family I work for shares their amazon prime account with me, for example-- free for them, great for me!)
Don't skip calling references, ask them questions like "would you hire them again?" "what do you wish nanny had done differently?" and "do you have any suggestions for me in training nanny if we go with her?"
A good timeline might be-- choose people from online that meet your needs, email them to see if they are interested, email them pre-interview questions all over the next 7-10 days. In two weeks maybe interview 5-6 at a coffee shop (if you find that many that you like!), then once your husband returns have 2-3 to your house to interview with you and your husband. Trial days are a great idea, have them come out for a half or whole day with you and H. Once you are comfortable, go take a nap!
Above all-- go with your gut. Someone may seem perfect but if you meet them and you don't click do not assume it will all work out because it probably won't.
Let me know if you have any questions!
hopefully she doesn't turn out to be a man 
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite1
15 comments