The Eagle Has Landed
In the past week, I've had several conversations with a nanny agency, interviewed two nannies, responded to and posted numerous Craig's List ads, and checked out another daycare. And I have finally found my childcare!
The nannies I met were both great (well actually, just one was great, but the other one was fine). But the one I really wanted was quite blunt in saying she wanted full-time work, which I can't offer (read: afford; I was planning to fill in the blanks with family/friend's help) so there was the huge danger that I'd pay the $700 finder's fee and four months later she'd fly the coop. Not to mention the salary. I strongly believe that we should pay the people who look after our children a living wage, and it totally nauseates me when I hear about people paying their nannies little more (or less) than what I used to make as a 16-year old babysitter. But at a decent hourly wage ($14-$15) it would have made us really cash-strapped if we couldn't have found someone to share with.
When I walked into the daycare, I just got this "right" feeling. It's in an apartment building a few kilometres away, so not exactly close, but it's more or less on the way to work. She has a ground-level apartment that's quite small with a securely fenced patio area. In my mind, small size is a bonus - the kids can't be out of sight. She takes them out each day to the park, or for walks or to activities at the community centre. She was very gentle and kind and fun too - she got down on the ground with him to play. Her 20-something son was in town for the weekend and we met him; he was absolutely sweet, affable and intelligent (not to mention hot!!!). As D said, if she can raise someone like that, she's alright by us! The place had lots of toys and books, but was still neat and tidy (and CLEAN!) She had a little schedule drafted up which showed they do circle time and have a nice little predictable daily routine.
The one drawback is that we need to get there by 5, and I would have preferred 5:30 since the optics of leaving at 4:30 aren't awesome. But my firm will just have to deal and D and I will trade off which days we get him.
Anyway, I am so, so happy.
The nannies I met were both great (well actually, just one was great, but the other one was fine). But the one I really wanted was quite blunt in saying she wanted full-time work, which I can't offer (read: afford; I was planning to fill in the blanks with family/friend's help) so there was the huge danger that I'd pay the $700 finder's fee and four months later she'd fly the coop. Not to mention the salary. I strongly believe that we should pay the people who look after our children a living wage, and it totally nauseates me when I hear about people paying their nannies little more (or less) than what I used to make as a 16-year old babysitter. But at a decent hourly wage ($14-$15) it would have made us really cash-strapped if we couldn't have found someone to share with.
When I walked into the daycare, I just got this "right" feeling. It's in an apartment building a few kilometres away, so not exactly close, but it's more or less on the way to work. She has a ground-level apartment that's quite small with a securely fenced patio area. In my mind, small size is a bonus - the kids can't be out of sight. She takes them out each day to the park, or for walks or to activities at the community centre. She was very gentle and kind and fun too - she got down on the ground with him to play. Her 20-something son was in town for the weekend and we met him; he was absolutely sweet, affable and intelligent (not to mention hot!!!). As D said, if she can raise someone like that, she's alright by us! The place had lots of toys and books, but was still neat and tidy (and CLEAN!) She had a little schedule drafted up which showed they do circle time and have a nice little predictable daily routine.
The one drawback is that we need to get there by 5, and I would have preferred 5:30 since the optics of leaving at 4:30 aren't awesome. But my firm will just have to deal and D and I will trade off which days we get him.
Anyway, I am so, so happy.
Labels: baby
posted by grass @ 1:53 PM
3 Comments:
At 2:56 PM ,
LL said...
Congrats! Finding childcare is such a relief and I'm glad you found a place you're so happy with!
At 9:16 PM ,
Michelle said...
Oh, I am so happy to read this! Yay!
At 4:28 PM ,
linds said...
YAY!! :) That is fantastic news!
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