Nanny help/info again?

cakenbake

I'm interviewing tomorrow for a position on base so I can get my financial counselor hours, and it's pretty much a done deal according to my interviewer. All we have to figure out is when I start, and I have to find childcare. I've been collecting resumes and have four ladies to interview Friday, with 4-5 more applying for the position, so I'm fairly certain I'll like one of them.

My question is this. I'm fairly settled on paying $500 a week, but trying to figure out some specifics. First off, I know people who have just paid the nanny a flat rate and dealt with taxes at tax time out of their own pocket. I also know people who have done the whole paystub, taking unemployment and all that out each week. Do any of you nannies have a preference regarding that? Is that something I should just state, "This is how your pay will be handled" or ask which they'd prefer? And yes, I'm going to talk to a tax accountant about how to do all this.

This is a 90 day position, with the possibility of renewing at the end (think temp to perm), so I want to be fair and let them know that, but not sure how best to word it so they don't think it's temporary. I may throttle back on my hours a bit (like only doing 4 days a week, etc.), but would still like to have the help.

What is a typical way to handle time off? I won't have any to start with since I'll be on contract, but I don't want to screw them either.

I'd like to pay them weekly, but won't get my first check until two weeks in. Is it unfair to expect them to be okay with waiting two weeks for their first check too? I wouldn't think so, but not sure.

Did you ever sign a contract with your families? Would that be a put-off for you? I was drawing one up, but DH said he thought nobody would want to sign one. I figured it would be a safeguard for both us and the nanny, since it would spell out expectations on both sides. 

I've had background checks and am asking for copies of ID/SSN from all of them. Anything else I'm not thinking of? 

Madisen

I don't know anything about hiring a nanny so I don't have the answers to your posted questions.  But given previous posts you've had on here, I wanted to ask if you've looked into other daycare options.  We pay $180 per week for James' full-time daycare at a center and a second child would be discounted from that rate.  The teachers have been great and James loves it there. 

Lanerbell

Ugh, you sound like the perfect Nanny family.  People around here would laugh if I asked for $500 a week.  

What we do is no matter how many hours I work, they take out a certain amount out of my paycheck and match it and then put it aside to submit for taxes.  Im paid hourly so sometimes I might work 40 hours, but sometimes I might work 20 so the taxes even out a over time which is why they take out a certain amount no matter what.  

As for time off, every other family I've worked with has paid me when they're on vacation, but not when Im on vacation.  So if I have to call in sick, I dont get paid, but if they mom calls in and I end up not working, I still get paid for that day.  They family Im with right now doesn't do any paid time off, which sucks, but they're hourly rate is better than what I usually get.  

I do want to say that while your family would be awesome for a Nanny, heck if I lived closer I would submit my resume, but you can get childcare a lot cheaper at a center.  

cakenbake

Thanks ladies!

I do know a center would likely be cheaper, but we like the idea of having them at home, and Jonathan still picks stuff up easily, so I'm more concerned about him getting sick a lot.And neither of them have had their varicella shot, so they wouldn't be taken anyway. Plus, I'd like to have someone that can help me around the house too. We've really enjoyed our two regular babysitters, and I like the idea of someone becoming part of the family. 

Thanks for the input on taxes. That sounds like a great idea.

Mrs_W_Pookie

We have a friend who pays $500 a week for a nanny for her twin boys and the nanny assists with cooking and cleaning (laundry, dishes, etc), in addition to taking care of the boys.  I would be sure to let the nanny know what your expectations are

Lanerbell

Mrs_W_Pookie:

We have a friend who pays $500 a week for a nanny for her twin boys and the nanny assists with cooking and cleaning (laundry, dishes, etc), in addition to taking care of the boys.  I would be sure to let the nanny know what your expectations are

This for sure. Make sure to lay all of the job responsibilities out. If there's a chance she might even have to take care of a pet, let her know. I've never had a contract, but I like the idea of one so there's no question what you expect. Also, be up front with your tv rules, what kind of educational stuff you want her to do and if there will be potty training involved. Sometimes for other nannies these can be deal breakers.