[pattyelaine]

My first baby is due in less than two months! And I am already starting to think about childcare options for when I go back to work. She'll be about 9 months at that time. I am considering looking for a part time "nanny" who would come to my home but don't know where to start. I dont' want to go through a big chain service because I am hoping to find someone who shares my values and resonates more with my lifestyle, rather than just someone in college who might not necessarily be consistent with my values. Any ideas on where to start looking? Does the "Mothering" web forum have local chapters? has anyone done this sort of thing before?

Please email me if you have any suggestions. Thanks!

[email protected]

 

[lauren]

I don't think it is at all too early to be looking into this. You will have your hands full once baby is born!! At the same time you are not likely to get someone to commit to you almost a year in advance. I think word of mouth is the best way to find someone great. Start mentioning this to everyone you know and before long lyou will start hearing things like 'my mother's best friend is looking for that kind of arrangement and she used to be a midwife' or some such thing. I don't have experience with advertising for a nanny or using a service. I'm sure others with that experience will turn up on the thread soon.

 

[Mama Esq.]

We found our nanny in the local Gazette (we actually received over 90 calls from one add and did three interviews). I know a lot of other women who found their nannies either through word of mouth or through an online listserve (we have a very active one in DC). Still others use the professional services (I would only use them as a last resort -- very $$). You should probably begin to actively look about 6 weeks before you would want her to start. You should also figure on having a 1 or 2 week overlap so that you can watch how the nanny interacts with your child. Good luck.

 

[Crunchier]

I used to be a part time nanny. I was in school and worked with kids at the local YMCA and a summer camp. I got most of my business through word of mouth, and I handed my card out to everyone I saw with a kid under 6.

I totally agree that you should have some try-out time. I usually spent the first day with mom and baby so that we could all get a feel for eachother. Usually I was asked back, sometimes I wasn't. When you do this, expect to spend some time all together before you try to leave the room to do something else (which you should also do to see how the nanny is without you there). I had problems when the parents would bring me in, and leave almost immediately to another part of the house, then

: pop back in every time I got the kid quiet, just long enough to get him crying again. then they'd look at me, like I was inept.

(It was dads who did this, btw)

After the initial get-to-know-you, do it all again, and this time, leave the house for a little while. Make it just as long as you are comfortable, even if that means walking out to the car and back. I was totally ok with moms popping in and out all day long, and I think it really helped them to trust me when they could see for themselves what we were doing at random intervals throughout the day. It also helps the baby to get used to the idea that mommie leaves and mommie comes back. And of course, if anything inappropriate is going on, you'll find out right away.