| A nanny share is when two families engage the | | | | * Is that home maintained and clean to the |
| services of a single nanny to care for both | | | | satisfaction of both families? |
| families' children. Nanny sharing is a creative way | | | | * Is the home child proofed? |
| to save money and still have a professional in | | | | * Are there pets in the home? What care must |
| home childcare provider. With child care often | | | | be taken to protect all children? |
| being the second largest monthly expense, your | | | | * Who will be responsible for supplying the toys |
| mortgage being the first, families find sharing a | | | | and replacing broken ones? |
| nanny to be a great solution. It is a common | | | | * What about meals which the children and |
| misconception that having a full time professional | | | | caregiver will be eating during the day - who will |
| nanny is out of a family's budget, but sharing, | | | | provide the food and pay for it? |
| lowers the average costs to $300-$450 a week | | | | 3. Salary - When a nanny is hired by 2 families her |
| per family. Although this sounds great, it is easier | | | | salary is usually higher due to the more complex |
| said than done! Nanny Shares have many pros | | | | situation, but when split between two families will |
| and cons, and only you can determine if it is the | | | | still result in a big cost savings. Consider what |
| right choice for your family. | | | | happens if there are days where one family's |
| First step: Finding the right family to work with! | | | | children are not being cared for - is the same |
| Just like having to interview nannies you will have | | | | salary to be paid or is a lower hourly rate ok? |
| to interview families first. Here are some things | | | | The same salary is recommended, but this must |
| you need to consider: | | | | be worked out ahead of time. Families and the |
| 1. Age of the children - It is probably better to | | | | nanny should coordinate the withholding of payroll |
| have children close in age so they can play | | | | taxes and consult a payroll company (GTM) or |
| together and become friends, but think about the | | | | accountant to find out how to handle this |
| pros and cons of having multiple children the same | | | | appropriately. |
| or similar age or the opposite. | | | | 4. Benefits - What benefits will you offer your |
| 2. Values - How much is the other family looking | | | | nanny? How do you plan to coordinate vacations? |
| to spend on a nanny? What benefits are they | | | | If the host family is vacationing, will the nanny be |
| willing to offer? You would be surprised at how | | | | required to go to the other family's home? Full |
| families differ on the subject. | | | | time nannies expect to receive weekly pay for |
| 3. Parenting Philosophy - How do you want the | | | | every week of the year, even if a family does |
| children disciplined? What does your child like to | | | | not need her care on any particular day or week. |
| eat and what does their child like to eat? Does | | | | Typical benefits include paid federal holidays and |
| one of the children have a food allergy? What are | | | | 1-2 weeks of paid vacation. |
| your rules regarding television? The families must | | | | 5. Illnesses - It is important to work out what |
| agree on these items - different rules for children | | | | happens when the children are sick. It will be |
| being cared for together is not possible. | | | | possible that the sick child will be living at the |
| 4. Scheduling - How often do either of the families | | | | home where the care is being provided that day. |
| require a nanny? If your schedules do not | | | | Will the care be given at the other home that |
| coordinate, how is this going to impact you? How | | | | particular day? |
| often does each family go on vacation? How is | | | | 6. Communication - Open lines of communication |
| the nanny compensated when only one family is | | | | are very important. Both families and the nanny |
| using her? Timing is everything. | | | | should be comfortable in bringing up any issues |
| 5. Activities - Do both families allow the nanny to | | | | that might arise. Make it a point to check in once |
| take their children on outings to the zoo or parks? | | | | a month and give regular reviews to your nanny. |
| You would be surprised at how many families do | | | | 7. Contracts - Both families should have a |
| not want the nanny to take the child out. You | | | | contract not only with the nanny but each other. |
| must consider how this will affect your day. | | | | This should cover all the details like salary, benefits |
| Second Step: Once you have found a possible | | | | etc, but also what happens if one family wants |
| family you would like to share a nanny with you | | | | out of the share. Always discuss an exit strategy, |
| still need to think about the following: | | | | including what the rights and obligations of each |
| 1. The Nanny Search - Both families should get | | | | family are, when the relationship ends. |
| together and write a job description, work | | | | Pros: |
| agreement and qualities they are looking for in a | | | | * More personalized attention than a day care and |
| nanny. They should agree on how the nanny | | | | for less money |
| search will be executed and determine | | | | * Additional duties can be done like light |
| responsibilities for each step of the way. If an | | | | housekeeping and laundry |
| agency is used: the fee amount, who pays it, and | | | | Cons: |
| any fee-splitting arrangements should be in writing. | | | | * It is very difficult for two families to find a |
| If an agency is not being used, make sure you | | | | nanny they agree on |
| agree on a process for screening, background | | | | * There is the risk of being left with a nanny who |
| checking and reference checking. During the | | | | was hired for a certain salary |
| interview process, the nanny should have the | | | | Sharing a nanny can be the best of both worlds |
| opportunity to meet all parties before accepting | | | | or more trouble than it is worth. Evaluate your |
| the position. | | | | personal goals and what you want to get out of |
| 2. Where will the care be given? - some families | | | | your childcare provider. Can your provider meet |
| rotate; others use only one home. If care will not | | | | your goals while caring for other children? After |
| be given in each family's home, consideration | | | | weighing the pros and cons you will be able to |
| should be given to the wear and tear which will | | | | determine if this is the right avenue for you. |
| occur in the home where the care is given. | | | | |