Creating Job Requirements For A Summer Nanny
When you’re creating the job requirements for a summer nanny, there are a few key issues you should address. Keep in mind that you want to be clear enough about your expectations and what the job entails so that the nanny is clear about what her duties are. Here are some elements that should be in your job requirements for a summer nanny:
- Include the specific duties your nanny is responsible for in terms of childcare.
- If your nanny needs to provide transportation for your children and related household, include that information in your job requirements.
- Include whether meal preparation should be the nanny’s responsibility and what meals.
- Include whether household chores related to the children are the nanny’s responsibility, such as dishes and laundry.
- Include whether answering the home phone and taking messages is the responsibility of the nanny.
- Include allowances for any special considerations and circumstances, such as giving your children medication and emergency situations.
How Much It Costs For A Summer Au Pair
Just like the year-long program for au pairs, the summer au pair program has a set of fees associated with the application and program costs. In addition, there is a weekly stipend you’ll pay your au pair as well as an educational stipend. Still, when you total the cost of hiring a summer au pair, it’s still a relatively affordable form of childcare.
Summer au pair application and program costs vary somewhat from agency to agency. The weekly stipend is a set fee mandated by the federal government, so that fee will be the same no matter what agency you go with. For the weekly stipend, you’ll pay $139.05 per week. Expect to pay a $250 educational stipend, as well.
The Summer Nanny Work Agreement: A Few Extras
If you're providing your summer nanny with a work agreement, you'll probably cover the basics, such as pay and hourly schedule. However, you should be as detailed as possible in the work agreement. Here are a few other things you don't want to leave off the contract:
Include specific duties that you expect your nanny to be responsible for. These include those related to the care of your children and what household duties, if any, you expect.Include the start and end dates your summertime nanny will be working.
Keep in mind that the work agreement should be something that you and your summertime nanny agree upon and both sign. Clear communication between you and your childcare provider is essential to maintaining a good working relationship. Keep in mind that even if she is just here for the summer, you might want to cultivate a relationship for the future, in case you need childcare help down the road.
The Summertime Nanny And The Work Agreement
Even if you’re hiring a nanny just for the summer, consider creating a work agreement so that you’ll be able to clearly establish your nanny’s role. Here are the basics you should put in the work agreement for the summertime nanny.
- Include the compensation you’ll be paying your nanny, including whether it is an hourly wage or salary.
- Include the hours you expect your summertime nanny will be working.
- Note whether any benefits are part of the package and what they are.
Two Options If You’re Looking For Summer Nannies
If you just require childcare during the summer months when school is out, there are two options you should consider: au pairs and college students.
However, the au pair program has a summer program that fills a need for parents like you who only need care during the warmer months of the year. Summer au pairs may work up to four months in your home and are ideal solutions where your child is at least 2 years old.
For those who prefer a solution close to home, college students are another option when you’re looking for summer nannies. Though the number of college students dwindles at universities in the summertime, there are usually some who have a light schedule in between the spring and fall semesters and are more than happy to fill in some hours performing childcare duties. Check with an online database, such as Nannies4hire.com, the career centers at your local colleges and universities as well as the local online parent’s boards for students who might be home for the summer.
What To Ask When You’re Interviewing For Summer Nanny Positions
Hiring for summer nanny positions is much like the process of hiring for year-round childcare assistance. You want to select the best candidate for the job and be thorough in your interview process. Here are some questions to cover when you’re interviewing for summer childcare.
- Ask if a candidate is available to work during the time period that you need childcare help.
- Ask a candidate why she is interested in a summer nanny position.
- Ask a candidate what type of childcare experience she has, including the amount of experience and whether she has had experience with children in the same age range as yours.
- Get information about a nanny’s ideas on childrearing and her personality type and decide whether they coincide with what you are looking for in the household.
- Ask if the candidate has references available.
- Finally, ask what sort of salary the candidate is interested in for the summer nanny position.
What You’re Getting With A Summer Au Pair
One solution to childcare just for the duration of the summer is the summer au pair. If you’re interested in a cultural exchange with someone from another country, the summer au pair makes sense in terms of costs and scheduling flexibility. Here’s what you can expect with a summer au pair.
- Summer au pairs can work up to 4 months during the summertime in some instances. Check with a particular au pair agency to see what they provide.
- Summer au pairs typically undergo the same screening process, orientation, and training program as au pairs who decide to stay for a year.
- The per hour cost you end up paying a summer au pair can be just $7 per hour, making it an affordable option.
- Summer au pairs undergo a screening process, interview process, and a matching process to determine a good fit to the host family.
- Summer au pairs do receive training that includes topics on health and safety training, child development, communicating with children, and age-appropriate activities.
- Summer au pairs are ideal solutions for families with children at least 2 years of age.
