Would like advice on using a nanny, have you ever had one and how did you go about finding a good reasonably priced one? Good or bad experiences with them or a nanny finder service? What are your feelings on nannies versus a day care for a 6 month old and a mature 3 year old? It will be part time during the week only, 2-3 days. If you would like to recommend anyone in the Austin area I would love to hear about them, thanks!!
**Also wanted to ask if you would hire a nanny off Craigslist? I of course would do my own background check and get references. I found a sitter on Craigslist, but she only came here after the girls were in bed for the night, but she was very responsible and we did not have any problems with her.
To me the advantages of having a nanny vs. daycare are tremendous -
child stays in their own environment
child is stick the nanny can still come, but you can't bring them to daycare
one on one attention
nanny can help with meals
time saver - not having to drive back & forth to daycare
Our nanny was my husband's nanny when he was growing up.
I always replied to parents asking for childcare/Nannies from craigslist and got many responses from my own ads posting I do child care... as long as you meet them, do an extensive background check - maybe even a credit check... and 3-4 references, things 'should' be fine.
I had a part-time nanny housekeeper when my kids were younger. It worked for me. She had a car and came to my house, no waking kids from naps to go to daycare. She also cleaned my house if there was time.
I used an agency, there was a fee for this service but it was worth it. They pre-screened the women and would find someone else for you if things didn't work out.
I also used in-home daycare and my kids were happy there. But with a nanny, it was nice being able to leave without getting 2 or 3 kids ready and in the car, too.
I was a nanny for a long time, I found most of my jobs through my school, high-school and college and responding to craigslist ads. I did work through an agency while I was in college though, but the main problem with them is that you have to pay the agency a portion of the wages. Really all they do is screen the Nanny's and do a background check, which in reality you could do yourself.
Now that I am a mom, I would have a nanny over a childcare facility because of the one on one attention (but cost is more). But I know that I was responsible and trustworthy, and I know that you don't find that in all nanny's.
