Parent FAQ ~ The Nanny Option

While in-home childcare is the first choice for many parents, the reality is having a nanny is generally the most expensive childcare choice. When deciding if you can afford this option, you must not only consider salary but the cost of taxes and benefits as well. If you cannot afford to offer a competitive compensation package, you may very well end up with an unqualified or ineffective caregiver. It is a far better option to spend your childcare dollars on high quality daycare or family care than to settle for a less than quality in-home caregiver.

Do I think it is worth it?

There are many families that employ a nanny without any financial impact on their lifestyle. Other families choose in-home childcare at the expense of other things such as a new car, a vacation, or household improvements. If hiring a nanny will significantly impact your lifestyle, make sure that you and your spouse feel the sacrifice is worth it. If you begrudge your nanny her salary or benefits, she will sense the underlying attitude and quickly become resentful, feeling the work she does is well worth the money she earns.

What type of coverage do I need?

Full-Time

Any position that requires 40 hours or more per week is considered full-time but most full-time nannies works 45 – 65 hours a week, 4 - 5 days a week.

Part-Time

Any position that requires less than 40 hours per week is considered part-time but most part-time nannies work 35 hours a week or less. The number of days and hours per day worked depends upon the needs of the family and the availability of the nanny. Some part-time nannies work a 12-hour day, 1 or 2 days a week while others work a few hours each day.

Shared Care

Often 2 (sometimes 3) families come together to share a nanny. The families either schedule the nanny to work part-time in each household or full-time caring for all the children together in one home. Working for multiple families allows a nanny to mix and match benefits and schedules. Sharing a nanny allows families to share the expense of employing a long-term, quality caregiver.

Summer Care

A summer nanny generally works full-time during the summer months. She acts as a second pair of hands for a stay-at-home parent or as the primary caregiver to school-aged children.

Temporary Care

A temporary nanny works full- or part-time for a short or undetermined amount of time. A temporary nanny often fills in when the regular nanny is on vacation, away due to illness or family emergency, suddenly quits, or before a permanent nanny can be found.

Should I hire a live-in or live-out nanny?

When deciding between a live-in and a live-out nanny, the primary consideration is space. Can you provide a live-in nanny with comfortable living quarters? The minimum requirements are a private bedroom and a private bathroom. There are some families that only provide a shared bathroom, but that is an arrangement very few nannies find acceptable long-term. If you have the space, consider the advantages and disadvantages to each situation as well as your personality and lifestyle before making a decision.

By hiring a live-in nanny…

* you can offer a slightly lesser salary although the difference between live-in and live-out salaries is surprisingly small.

* you have a much larger candidate pool to choose from since live-in nannies can easily relocated from anywhere in the country.

* you generally have more scheduling flexibility since live-in nannies tend to have less life responsibilities such as their own children so they are better able to adjust to a demanding schedule.

Of course, hiring a live-in nanny also has its disadvantages. You will…

* lose privacy with another adult living in your home.

* incur increased household expenses such as utilities and food.

* generally have a more difficult time maintaining professional boundaries when your nanny works for you and lives with you.

What role do I want my nanny to take?

Parent’s Helper

This caregiver (commonly know as a mother’s helper) works under the direct supervision of a stay-at-home parent or a full charge nanny. Her primary role is to support the parent or nanny by taking on basic childcare tasks such as diapering, bathing, dressing, and feeding as well as time-consuming child-related tasks such as laundry, meal preparation and straightening up. These tasks are usually not shared with the parent or full charge nanny. The parent’s helper also cares for the child when the parent or nanny is busy or out of the house. This is usually an entry-level position.

Full Charge Nanny

This caregiver works independently throughout the day. She is responsible for her charge’s emotional, social, cognitive and physical development. She and the parents work as a team to address any issues or concerns that come up regarding the child. The full charge nanny may take on household management or child information management duties.

Caregiving Partner

This caregiver is a full charge nanny that chooses to work with a stay-at-home parent. In contrast to the parent’s helper, she works “with” rather than “for” the stay-at-home parent. She and the parent work as a team to address the child’s emotional, social, cognitive, and physical developmental needs. She may or may not share basic childcare and child-related duties with the parent (usually in an executive position she is solely responsible for them). The caregiving partner may take on household management or child information management duties.

Housekeeper / Babysitter

The person’s primary responsibility is housekeeping. She provides custodial care, keeping the child safe and entertained, on an irregular or part-time basis. This position is not intended to provide a child with quality one-on-one care.

What type of relationship do I want with my nanny?

Although there are 3 distinct types of nanny / family relationships, most take on the characteristics of more than one type.

Formal

This relationship clearly defines and maintains employer / employee boundaries. Parents and nanny share no personal information or interactions with each other, the child is their only common ground. The nanny often calls the parents Mr. and Mrs. and she maintains a formal tone and attitude with them at all times. The nanny does not see the child outside of work.

Professional

This is a casual employment relationship that keeps most conversations and interactions focused on the child although at times, parents and nanny share stories and antidotes from their personal lives. The nanny often attends family events that are centered around the child such as birthday parties or graduations.

Part of the Family

Parents and nanny become like family to each other, the typical boundaries between employer and employee are blurred or nonexistent. The younger nanny is often thought of as a little sister, the older nanny as a close aunt. Parents and nanny share the details of each other’s lives, discussing family problems, romantic relationships and personal struggles. The nanny often “hangs out” with the parents (i.e. watching TV together after the child has gone to bed, shopping with Mom over the weekend) and is regularly included in family activities.