Nanny vs/ Daycare (another one)

[geneg]

I can't quite believe this, but it looks like a nanny is CHEAPER than a daycare. So what would you do? (Two kids ages 13m and 36m)

Nanny: live out, full time care in your house, willing to drive kids around, light housework, etc etc. (US Citizen, CPR certified, experienced, etc etc) $350/wk (approx $9-10/hr)

Daycare: about 1/2mi from home. A licensed in-home daycare with maybe 5 kids total. $580/wk (might have a sibling discount, but not much)

Am I crazy to think that a nanny is a better choice?

[schrodinger]

Don't forget that you'll have to pay the nanny's taxes as well, so you will need to add 10-15% to that $350/wk. Some things to consider: will they work when your kids are sick? Will you have back up care if your nanny gets sick? Are there activities close by that the nanny can take them to? If you want to have a play date, will the nanny watch an extra kid? You may need to pay for the nanny's food while they are watching your kids.

If we could afford it, I would love to have a nanny for the first few years.

[anna7602]

Aug 4, 2012 10:50:46 GMT -5 schrodinger said:

Don't forget that you'll have to pay the nanny's taxes as well, so you will need to add 10-15% to that $350/wk.

If you want to have a play date, will the nanny watch an extra kid? You may need to pay for the nanny's food while they are watching your kids.

To point 1- there is some web site I can't remember the name of right now where you can plug in the numbers and it will tell you exactly what you need to pay to account for taxes. Maybe someone on this board knows it. DH's HR department took care of everything for us when we had a nanny, so we didn't have to do this, but I vaguely remember friends telling me about a web site. We also had to pay for worker's comp, but maybe this was part of the same calculation? Don't forget paid vacation time and sick days/holidays.

To the play date point, play dates at 36 months are still generally play date with provider. I don't know anyone who just drops off their 36-month old for a play date. The other nanny or parent should be there.

Our nanny brought her own lunch and heated it up at our home. We generally have only paid for food for occasional evening sitters.

[karinothing]

Does your 3 year old go to daycare now? I think I personally would want the social interaction of daycare for the older kid (but if he/she is in pre-school that is a moot point, and might not matter anyway if the kids at the in home aren't close in age).

[geneg]

Right now both kids are at home with DH, but he's interviewing for jobs and they'll need care pretty soon. The biggest drawback to a nanny is the lack of interaction with other kids (they were previously in a small in home daycare before DH lost his job and we moved). So I want the daycare for that reason. BUT I work shift and DH will likely travel. The DCP must send klids home if they have a temp of 100F (which is NOT A FEVER - 101F is a fever!!!), less flexible, etc etc. The nanny is fine with taking care of sick kids, fine with coming early, even willing to stay overnight. And will drive kids around, etc etc. But it means that when DH is working from home (most of the time) and I'm home (working nights, etc), kids will be home as well with the nanny.

[anna7602]

Aug 4, 2012 12:14:55 GMT -5 geneg said:

Right now both kids are at home with DH, but he's interviewing for jobs and they'll need care pretty soon. The biggest drawback to a nanny is the lack of interaction with other kids (they were previously in a small in home daycare before DH lost his job and we moved). So I want the daycare for that reason. BUT I work shift and DH will likely travel. The DCP must send klids home if they have a temp of 100F (which is NOT A FEVER - 101F is a fever!!!), less flexible, etc etc. The nanny is fine with taking care of sick kids, fine with coming early, even willing to stay overnight. And will drive kids around, etc etc. But it means that when DH is working from home (most of the time) and I'm home (working nights, etc), kids will be home as well with the nanny.

What kind of neighborhood do you live in? Where we used to live, the nannies all got to know each other on the playground, or had pre-existing relationships, so the socialization thing wasn't an issue. DD was always playing with other kids when she was with the nanny. This is also a nice solution to your WAH problem, which I agree is hard. I hated days when DD was in the house and I was working there, too.

[pugz]

definitely look into the taxes thing. Most of my nanny friends really dislike when there is a parent that works from home as it can make things difficult for the kids knowing mom or dad is in the other room.

[schrodinger]

Aug 4, 2012 12:53:39 GMT -5 pugz said:

definitely look into the taxes thing. Most of my nanny friends really dislike when there is a parent that works from home as it can make things difficult for the kids knowing mom or dad is in the other room.

I would be uncomfortable with having mom or dad home if I was a nanny. Kids are so different around their parents.

We have a goofy schedule that we have to work with as well. DH works nights every few weeks and has non-weekend days off sometimes. We looked into a nanny as well just for the flexibility.

I say go for it and then spend some of the difference in costs on some activities. Our town has all sorts of mini-camps for kids that run a few hours a day 2-3 times per week. Could you do swim lessons, karate, art class, for the oldest?

[mssaint]

That seems REALLY low for a nanny in our area. I usually hear $15-$18 an hour as a starting point although I live closer to the city.

I'd check her out very carefully before making a decision.

[Deleted]

Aug 4, 2012 12:14:55 GMT -5 geneg said:

Right now both kids are at home with DH, but he's interviewing for jobs and they'll need care pretty soon. The biggest drawback to a nanny is the lack of interaction with other kids (they were previously in a small in home daycare before DH lost his job and we moved). So I want the daycare for that reason. BUT I work shift and DH will likely travel. The DCP must send klids home if they have a temp of 100F (which is NOT A FEVER - 101F is a fever!!!), less flexible, etc etc. The nanny is fine with taking care of sick kids, fine with coming early, even willing to stay overnight. And will drive kids around, etc etc. But it means that when DH is working from home (most of the time) and I'm home (working nights, etc), kids will be home as well with the nanny.

Can you do preschool and/or classes (music, swimming, etc.) for your older child?

I think a nanny could work out great in that situation.

[cricketwife]

Aug 4, 2012 13:08:27 GMT -5 mssaint said:

That seems REALLY low for a nanny in our area. I usually hear $15-$18 an hour as a starting point although I live closer to the city.

I'd check her out very carefully before making a decision.

Definitely this. Are you sure that you can get a decent nanny for that price?

[kimibrighteyes]

Aug 4, 2012 12:14:55 GMT -5 geneg said:

Right now both kids are at home with DH, but he's interviewing for jobs and they'll need care pretty soon. The biggest drawback to a nanny is the lack of interaction with other kids (they were previously in a small in home daycare before DH lost his job and we moved). So I want the daycare for that reason. BUT I work shift and DH will likely travel. The DCP must send klids home if they have a temp of 100F (which is NOT A FEVER - 101F is a fever!!!), less flexible, etc etc. The nanny is fine with taking care of sick kids, fine with coming early, even willing to stay overnight. And will drive kids around, etc etc. But it means that when DH is working from home (most of the time) and I'm home (working nights, etc), kids will be home as well with the nanny.

We have a million nannies in our neighbourhood and they all know each other. My children don't lack from socialization. Usually they go to a different house each day for a play date with several other kids. Once a week it is at our house. You may want to ask around if there is any such network in your neighbourhood.

[geneg]

Aug 4, 2012 13:36:51 GMT -5 cricketwife said:

Aug 4, 2012 13:08:27 GMT -5 mssaint said:

That seems REALLY low for a nanny in our area. I usually hear $15-$18 an hour as a starting point although I live closer to the city.

I'd check her out very carefully before making a decision.

Definitely this. Are you sure that you can get a decent nanny for that price?

I was thinking this as well, esp since I've been lurking on DCUM. But Care.com lists the average hourly wage for my zip at $11/hr and FT care is less than PT. I guess we are a bit more out in the boonies than I thought!

[GailGoldie]

i don't like in-home daycares at all... and i can't imagine why a nanny would be that cheap -which would make me worry a lot. If that was the standard pay for a nanny in your area- then i'd go with the nanny... but if that is a cheap nanny price - then i would NOT hire her - i can't imagine that she'd be very good if she's asking for much less than others.

[Deleted]

Are you sure the nanny is willing to be paid on the books - that rate sounds really low.