Hiring a Nanny
A nanny can be a great child-care choice, as she will work in your home and care solely for your child. However, hiring a nanny is more expensive than a day-care center and presents some tax difficulties.
Agency Nannies
When you hire an agency nanny, you contract with an agency that provides you with a nanny. The agency screens the nannies, handles all payroll taxes, and can readily supply another nanny should one not work out. When working with an agency, get details on their screening process and minimum qualifications for nannies. Make sure you have the right to turn down a candidate they offer. Ask if the agency does unannounced spot checks on nannies in their employ. Be sure to get references for the agency.
Au Pairs
An au pair is a child-care worker, similar to a nanny, who is often a young foreign woman in the United States on a visa. She lives with your family and provides full-time child care in exchange for room and board, transportation, and a small stipend. To find an au pair, you need to work with an au pair agency. Ask how the girls are chosen, how good their English must be, how many hours they are expected to work, and how long they are placed with you. Get references for the agency.
No matter what kind of child-care arrangements you make, it is essential that you create a backup plan. This is necessary for days when your child is too sick to go to day care, the sitter cancels, or you have to stay at work late and can't pick up your child on time.
Sitters
If you hire someone yourself to act as a nanny or a babysitter in your home, make sure you get references and check them carefully. Find out how experienced she is with infants. Set clear guidelines for what you expect her to do in addition to child care, if anything. Make sure you stop in unexpectedly once in a while to see how things are going. You will be responsible for payroll taxes for the nanny or sitter.
