The Truth About Nannies
Finding the right childcare for your family is the most important, and perhaps the most challenging choice you will make as a new parent. Taking your child to a daycare where he/she may spend a good deal of time in a crib, be cared for by different people day to day, and exposed to many illnesses may not be right for your family. There are other options. Nannies are not just for the rich and famous. So if you have decided the convenience and safety of in-home childcare is important to you, how do you find a nanny? What can you expect them to do? What will it cost?
What is a Nanny?
A nanny is someone who comes to your home to care for your child on a set schedule. She should have at least 3 years of childcare experience and come with references. She typically makes at least a year commitment to a family. The typical wage for a nanny in this area is $10-$14 per hour. Nannies may be part-time or full-time and they may be live-in or live-out. Live-in nannies usually command a higher salary. Full-time nannies work anywhere from 35-50 hours a week.
A Governess is a nanny with a 4-year education degree who is qualified to home school your child. The typical salary for a governess in this area is $15-$20 per hour if home schooling the children is included in their list of duties.
An au pair is someone who comes from another country on a one year visa. They are typically 18-20 years old and the family for whom they work is responsible for providing them room and board in addition to their salary. An au pair is often paid less then a nanny, but the fees involved in finding and placing an au pair can be much higher then those of nanny agency fees, averaging around $7000.
What Does a Nanny Do?
Nannies are responsible for general care of the children, daily household duties such as the children's meal preparation and laundry, transportation to activities and school, and assistance with homework. Families employing nannies usually employ a separate housecleaning service take care of the weekly cleaning.
How Do You Find a Nanny?
Finding the right nanny can be a time consuming and frustrating process. Placing an ad online or in the newspaper will bring many unqualified applicants. Can you find a good match using an online service or placing in ad in the newspaper? Maybe. Could it end horrifically? Sure. Anyone can answer those ads and you may be inviting someone into your home that is not a safe choice for your children. Some online sites will claim to do background checks, but these are only Internet searches, not fingerprinting and they do not meet their candidates in person.
Employing the services of a nanny placement agency can take the stress out of the process and ensure you are making the safest choice for your family. There are fees, but they will be worth it if finding quality childcare for your children is your priority. To find a reputable agency, you can go to organizations like The International Nanny Association to provide a list of those agencies in your area. A reputable agency will thoroughly check candidates before ever allowing them to meet you. Fingerprinting a nanny with a BCI check and an FBI check if she's lived outside the state is the most accurate kind of criminal background check. Online background checks are not as thorough. A criminal background check should be done PRIOR to a candidate being referred to a family. Teachers and daycare workers are required to be fingerprinted, and nannies should be as well. Agencies should also meet with their candidates personally to interview them and complete all their reference checks before referring them to a family. Candidates should be both CPR and First Aid certified, including infant and child. The agency should also provide you with the candidate's driving record, obtained from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Nanny agency application and placement fees will vary, as will guarantee periods for the nannies. Make sure you are getting your money's worth. Do they take time to meet with you personally before suggesting matching candidates? Do they provide you with a contract to use with your nanny, information about the process and suggestions on how to interview the nannies? Agencies should also provide information about taxes for household employees. Does the agency have an on-call babysitting service as a back up in case your nanny is ever ill or on vacation?
How To Keep a Nanny
Once you have found a great candidate, make sure you clearly define the hours, pay and duties as well as your developmental and/or academic goals for your children. It is wise to put all of this in writing in the form of a contract. Then if there are any issues, you can refer back to what you originally agreed upon. It is better to be as specific and detailed as possible from the beginning.
The three most common reasons for losing a nanny is a change in hours, a change in pay, or a change in duties. Nannies cannot afford to suddenly go from full time to part time. Nannies cannot afford to go without pay for a week while you are on vacation. Nannies do not want to have housekeeping duties added on without negotiating a higher pay rate. These things seem simple, but families often overlook them.
Nanny Taxes
By law, household employees should receive a W-2, not a 1099. This is a common error. Also, their wages should not be run through the employer's business. An agency should educate their clients on tax laws and/or refer them to a payroll service well versed in dealing with household employees. GTM or Breedlove and Associates are two recommended by the International Nanny Association. Paying a nanny legally is not difficult, with the right information. You may even be eligible for tax breaks from your employer, so be sure to check.
And You're Off…
Hiring a nanny can be a positive experience and one that allows you to feel comfortable and safe while you are away from your children. Quality childcare givers can offer stability, security and stimulation for your little ones to develop and thrive in your own home. Mary Poppins may not be available, but there are some super nannies out there!