Nanny Question - Starting at End of Year

I don't know but as a preschool teacher, I'm paid on a hourly basis. If I don't work, I'm not paid. I have a college degree and 12 years of teaching experience too. I'm responsible for giving snacks, planning educational activities and changing diapers in my toddler room. I feel I work just as hard as a nanny does. I also babysat for a family a few summers ago and was also paid by the hour. Granted I feel $12.00 was a good hourly pay for my part-time work. Gee, maybe I should look into being a nanny. Do they really get paid for weeks at a time even if they don't work those weeks?
hmmmm.. food for thought for me.
I guess I don't know very much about being a nanny, thanks for listening though.

I think that you need to be open with the nannies. I have a contract with my nanny for a year that she can have 2 weeks paid vacation time and it has to be taken during my vacation time or at the end of the contract. Our contract goes from July 1-June 30, but you can start yours whenever you hire someone and let them know your vacation time. They may want to go home for the holidays. On the otherhand, they may want to work through the time and take vacation time at some other point. Be prepared for that, but be open. I truly think that honesty and openness works the best. Our nanny has been with us for 3 years now. Good luck!

I used to be a nanny and was always paid for time off. It wasn't my fault they decided to take a vacation. It didn't occur to me that I shouldn't get paid. Especially if you are hiring for full-time and this is the nanny's only source of income. I would just wait to find someone for after your vacation. Start interviewing ASAP so you don't feel rushed. It's probably better for the kids too to not try to get used to someone and then not see them for 2 weeks. Everybody deserves paid vacation time, even nannies.

Think of it this way - what if you were the person who was being offered a job and you were told "we want to hire you and pay you for the first 3 weeks but then not the next 2 weeks". Is this a job you would consider? Some people would be fine with it and some would not.

I feel you should pay her for those two weeks, at least one. She will not be able to find employment for just those two weeks, so she will be going without pay.

Could you possible offer him/her part of the salary for those 2 weeks? I'm sure whomever you hire would like to buy some gifts for his/her family also. Do you pay your nanny if you go on vacation and he/she doesn't work? By only paying for 3 weeks of salary before the two week break, you're not really giving the nanny any time to save up some money for that 2 weeks without pay. If I were you, I think I'd just tough it out for the next few weeks. You could start doing your interviews now though. If you find someone that you really like, perhaps you can work out the details at the final interview.

Couple of thoughts for you -

I know when I have done my nanny searches, interviews, reference checks, etc., it has taken several weeks to find the right person and for that nanny to give notice to her job so you may not be able to find someone and have then start that quickly.

As you interview you can certainly make it known that there will be a 2 wk break. I don't think it would be insulting, but some may have a financial concern with it and the interview would certainly be the time to let you know that. Many nannies may be interested in that since they would be able to spend time over the holidays with family, etc.