Nanny Vs. Daycare: Advantages and Disadvantages of Both

Whether you already have kids, or are planning to have them, you may be thinking about who is going to care for them when you have to go to work. Nowadays, most parents are both working; therefore, they are not able to stay home to care for their children. When this situation comes up, what will you do? I worked in a daycare center for 3 years, and a few months ago, I decided that I wanted to become a nanny. I love working with kids, and I wanted to work in a more personal environment, with only 1-3 kids at a time, instead of a large group of six 2 year olds. There are many things I dislike about daycares, and many things I do like about being a nanny.
Is hiring a nanny something you are thinking about? Does putting your child in a daycare center seem like a good idea? The choice is yours. From my experience, I will share with you the advantages and disadvantages of both.
Advantages of Hiring a Nanny: Trust and Cost-Effective
Hiring a nanny can be a difficult process for you as a parent. However, the advantages of having a nanny in your home far outnumber the advantages of a daycare. First of all, you have the opportunity to get to know the nanny as a person, so that you are able to build a trust with this person. If you find someone through a nanny agency, you won't have to worry about checking their background or obtaining clearances and records, as the agency will have already done this for you. Most nannies that are found through agencies are required to have a minimum number of years of child care experience, along with current CPR and First Aid certifications. Just as you sign a contract for a daycare, you'll have to write up and sign a contract for your nanny as well, including pay, hours, responsibilities and benefits.
Having a nanny in your home allows you to keep an eye on her, as well as your child, at any time you wish. A lot of families even have a "nanny cam" for the times they are at work or away from the home, and they wish to check in on the house. This gives you, as a parent, a sense of security when leaving someone alone with your child. Eventually, you may start to feel as if the nanny is part of your family.
Another good advantage of hiring a nanny is the cost. The popular myth is that only wealthy families can afford nannies. However, nannies can actually be cheaper than daycare. Although many nannies charge between $10-15 per hour, you are paying a flat hourly rate, and not per child. Enrolling 4 kids in daycare can really hurt your wallet; however, hiring a nanny to care for your 4 children may save you money in the long run.
Advantages of Daycare: Learning Programs
The only time I ever see daycare as an advantage is when your child is older. Infants and 1-2 year olds are just there for the "babysitting" aspect of daycare. 3 and 4 year olds can benefit from the preschool programs offered at a lot of daycare centers. 4 and 5 year olds can learn a lot from the pre-kindergarten programs as well. Also, school-aged children under 12 years of age are offered a place to do homework and play with friends before and after school. Most of the time, daycare is a great way for your child to do art projects, participate in field trips, and make friends. It's a good way for them to become social before entering elementary school. Just be sure that the center is accredited and licensed by the state before enrolling your child in preschool, pre-k or a before/after school program.
Disadvantages of Hiring a Nanny: Reliability
If you are relying on one person to care for your kids, then you run the risk of having nobody if your nanny calls off sick or is unable to work for any reason. In a daycare, there will always be a backup, or substitute teacher to take the sick teacher's place. You won't have to worry about who is going to care for your child.
A nanny may decide that they don't want to work for you anymore, and they may quit without notice, leaving you without anyone to care for your kids. This is why it's important to come up with an agreement in your contract, such as a 1 year commitment between you and the nanny. This way, she must put in a minimum of 1 year with the family before deciding to quit.
Disadvantages of Daycare: Cost, Care and Sicknesses
Enrolling your child, or children, in a daycare center can be costly, especially if you have more than one child. I knew a family who took their 3 kids to a KinderCare, and was paying around $2500 per month for care, for a 4 year old, a 2 year old and a 1 year old. The younger your child is, the more expensive it is going to be.
Another disadvantage of putting your kids in daycare is that you really cannot trust who is taking care of your kids. Just because a teacher has their background clearances and CPR certification, doesn't mean they are trustworthy and caring. You really don't know what happens once you leave your child, unless of course, the center has cameras where you can monitor your child throughout the day at work. But remember, not all centers have this feature. The popular daycare centers like KinderCare don't have them in most of them across the country. Also, how can you put your infant in the care of someone else, when they have 3 other babies to take care of in the same room? State ratio for most infant rooms is 4 to 1, meaning 1 teacher can have 4 babies in their care. Obviously, your child isn't going to get the love and care that they truly deserve if 3 other kids are constantly in need of something.
Illnesses in daycare are a given, and your child is most likely going to get sick a few times while they are in daycare. But think about it, the more your child is sick, the more you may have to miss work, and then you risk losing your job. Illnesses and germs spread around daycare centers like wildfire, and even worse if the classrooms and toys are not properly cleaned and sanitized. Colds, strep throat, pink eye, the flu and chicken pox are only some of the illnesses that your child is susceptible to.

Temporary Personal Assistant FAQs

Do I pay the temporary employee directly?

Yes, you will pay the candidate their wages directly upon completion of the assignment. There is a four-hour minimum each time a candidate comes to your home. Please note that the candidate’s wages are separate from the agency fees that are due when we book a temporary employee for you.

What agency fees can I expect?

There is a one-time Agency registration fee of $150. This registration allows you lifetime access to our qualified candidate pool. Payment of the registration fee does not guarantee that the agency will be able to fill every assignment.
For client requests during normal business hours, there is a referral fee of 35% of the total gross wages for each temporary employee placement. The minimum fee is $25 per day for each temporary placement. The referral fee is due when a candidate is confirmed for your assignment and is payable via credit card. Temporary fees are charged based on the anticipated total gross compensation for the entire period of employment. Supplemental fees will be due if the assignment is extended. The referral fee is separate from the wages you pay directly to the temporary candidate at the end of the assignment.
Our temporary department counselors are also available to take requests during after hours, Fridays from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Agency fees and nanny wages for requests made after hours are identical to fees and wages for Hotel Nanny placements. Click here for our after hours contact information.
Please note that fees for Hotel Nannies are structured differently.

What are your fees for Hotel Nannies?

For each Hotel Nanny booking, there is a referral fee of $10 per hour if the booking is made more than 24 hours in advance, or $15 per hour if made less than 24 hours in advance. Placements must be at least four hours. The referral fee is due when a Hotel Nanny is confirmed for your assignment and is payable via credit card, and the amount is  based on the anticipated total number of hours of the assignment. Supplemental fees will be due if the assignment is extended.
The referral fee is separate from the wages you pay directly to the temporary candidate at the end of the assignment.
Agency fees for any requests for on-call nannies made during after hours are the same as the agency fees for Hotel Nanny placements. Our temporary department counselors are available to speak with you during after hours, Fridays from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
There is no Agency registration fee necessary for Hotel Nanny placements. Town & Country clients who have already paid the registration fee may book Hotel Nannies during regular business hours at the regular Temporary Nanny rate.

What is your cancellation policy?

If the assignment is changed or cancelled after a candidate is confirmed, the full temporary referral fee is due.

How do you screen your temporary candidates?

Our temporary candidates go through the same thorough screening process that all of our candidates go through. For our temporary candidates, we take additional steps to ensure that our information remains current as long as they are continuing to work with us for temporary assignments. In particular, after each temporary assignment for a client who is new for that candidate, we follow up with the client to get their feedback. We also rerun certain background checks, including the criminal records and driving records checks, every six months.

Is it possible to hire the same candidate for each assignment?

Our most qualified temporary employees are popular and get booked in advance, so we cannot always guarantee the availability of a specific person.  Of course, we are always happy to check availability of any candidate for you. As with any service professional, the earlier you plan, the more likely it will be that you can book the employee you want at the time you need.

What if I want to hire a temporary candidate on a permanent basis?

If you and your temporary candidate agree to do so, you may hire your temporary candidate on a permanent basis. The Town & Country referral agreement details fees that are due when you hire any candidate that you have met through us. The Referral Agreement covers fees that are due for both temporary and permanent hires.  Your Placement Counselor will be happy to review the Referral Agreement and fee structures with you.  You can also read our fee policy for permanent employees in our Frequently Asked Questions section. Temporary fees do not apply toward a permanent referral fee.

Can a temporary employee drive my children?

We suggest that temporary employees do not drive your children.  However, we understand that sometimes having a temporary employee drive your children is unavoidable. If the employee must drive your children, please contact your insurance provider to ensure that your children and property are covered by your policy. If the temporary employee is using his or her own vehicle we suggest you confirm their insurance coverage. We also suggest that you personally inspect the vehicle in which your children will be driven to ensure it is safe. If you have young children, also ensure that they will be seated in appropriate car seats.

Do I need to be concerned about payroll taxes?

When you hire an employee through Town & Country, according to the IRS, the candidate is considered your household employee, not an independent contractor or an employee of the Agency. Whether the employee is hired on a temporary or permanent basis, you may be required to withhold and report payroll taxes to the state and the IRS.
California law states that if you pay any number of employees (temporary or permanent) more than $750 in a calendar quarter, you are required to file for a tax ID number and pay certain employer taxes required by the state. In addition, when you pay any individual candidate more that $1,700 in a year, you are required to file for a federal tax ID and withhold and pay both state and federal taxes.
While Town & Country is not directly involved in any tax filings or reporting, we are knowledgeable about the subject and happy to answer any questions you may have.
We also suggest that you contact our partner Breedlove & Associates at 1-888-273-3356 or at http://www.breedlove-online.com. Breedlove & Associates specializes in helping household employers handle household payroll taxes.  They provide excellent information and can help you make the best tax-related decisions for you and your family.

What else do I need to know about temporary placements?

By signing an agreement with Town & Country, you agree to not share the name or contact information of any candidates referred by the agency with your friends or associates. If you contact a candidate referred by Town & Country for future assignments, you are required to report the hours and pay the appropriate placement fee.

Temporary Personal Assistant

The benefits of a Temporary Personal Assistant

Do you have a big project to accomplish? Paper work piling up? A home office that needs to be organized? Imagine how much could you accomplish with a skilled Personal Assistant for just the amount of time you need.
Whether you need help addressing holiday cards, purchasing and returning gifts, making travel arrangements, planning a party or simply running errands, you can hire our qualified, experienced Personal Assistants on an on-call basis for as little as four hours at a time. Just tell us what you need, and we’ll make sure you find the right one for your needs.

Responsibilities

The duties of a full-time or part-time Personal Assistant may include:

• Managing the household calendar
• Making travel arrangements
• Booking appointments
• Managing household bill payments
• Organizing the home office and other areas of the home
• Assisting in planning and organization of parties and other events
• Running errands
• Handling special projects – such as helping an employer with a renovations or researching major purchases

Compensation

Temporary Personal Assistants generally earn between $32 and $45 per hour. For Temporary Personal Assistants, there is a minimum engagement of four hours. There is also an Agency fee of 35% of the gross compensation, payable by credit card at the time of booking.

What clients and staff are saying

“A really great Personal Assistant is a god-send.  PA’s can help to manage all the details of your life from bill paying to running errands to planning a dinner party to keeping your home immaculately organized. We offer experienced Temporary Personal Assistants ready to jump in to help you for just the amount of time you need. I have been matching PA’s with employers for many years and know what it takes to find the right one for you.” —Nancy McIlvaine, Town & Country Resources

Party Helpers and Event Nannies FAQ

What if I want to hire a temporary candidate on a permanent basis?

If you and your temporary candidate agree to do so, you may hire your temporary candidate on a permanent basis. The Town & Country referral agreement details fees that are due when you hire any candidate that you have met through us. The Referral Agreement covers fees that are due for both temporary and permanent hires.  Your Placement Counselor will be happy to review the Referral Agreement and fee structures with you.  You can also read our fee policy for permanent employees in our Frequently Asked Questions section. Temporary fees do not apply toward a permanent referral fee.

Can a temporary employee drive my children?

We suggest that temporary employees do not drive your children.  However, we understand that sometimes having a temporary employee drive your children is unavoidable. If the employee must drive your children, please contact your insurance provider to ensure that your children and property are covered by your policy. If the temporary employee is using his or her own vehicle we suggest you confirm their insurance coverage. We also suggest that you personally inspect the vehicle in which your children will be driven to ensure it is safe. If you have young children, also ensure that they will be seated in appropriate car seats.

Do I need to be concerned about payroll taxes?

When you hire an employee through Town & Country, according to the IRS, the candidate is considered your household employee, not an independent contractor or an employee of the Agency. Whether the employee is hired on a temporary or permanent basis, you may be required to withhold and report payroll taxes to the state and the IRS.
California law states that if you pay any number of employees (temporary or permanent) more than $750 in a calendar quarter, you are required to file for a tax ID number and pay certain employer taxes required by the state. In addition, when you pay any individual candidate more that $1,700 in a year, you are required to file for a federal tax ID and withhold and pay both state and federal taxes.
While Town & Country is not directly involved in any tax filings or reporting, we are knowledgeable about the subject and happy to answer any questions you may have.
We also suggest that you contact our partner Breedlove & Associates at 1-888-273-3356 or at http://www.breedlove-online.com. Breedlove & Associates specializes in helping household employers handle household payroll taxes.  They provide excellent information and can help you make the best tax-related decisions for you and your family.

What else do I need to know about temporary placements?

By signing an agreement with Town & Country, you agree to not share the name or contact information of any candidates referred by the agency with your friends or associates. If you contact a candidate referred by Town & Country for future assignments, you are required to report the hours and pay the appropriate placement fee.

Do I pay the temporary employee directly?

Yes, you will pay the candidate their wages directly upon completion of the assignment. There is a four-hour minimum each time a candidate comes to your home. Please note that the candidate’s wages are separate from the agency fees that are due when we book a temporary employee for you.

What agency fees can I expect?

There is a one-time Agency registration fee of $150. This registration allows you lifetime access to our qualified candidate pool. Payment of the registration fee does not guarantee that the agency will be able to fill every assignment.
For client requests during normal business hours, there is a referral fee of 35% of the total gross wages for each temporary employee placement. The minimum fee is $25 per day for each temporary placement. The referral fee is due when a candidate is confirmed for your assignment and is payable via credit card. Temporary fees are charged based on the anticipated total gross compensation for the entire period of employment. Supplemental fees will be due if the assignment is extended. The referral fee is separate from the wages you pay directly to the temporary candidate at the end of the assignment.
Our temporary department counselors are also available to take requests during after hours, Fridays from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Agency fees and nanny wages for requests made after hours are identical to fees and wages for Hotel Nanny placements. Click here for our after hours contact information.
Please note that fees for Hotel Nannies are structured differently.

What are your fees for Hotel Nannies?

For each Hotel Nanny booking, there is a referral fee of $10 per hour if the booking is made more than 24 hours in advance, or $15 per hour if made less than 24 hours in advance. Placements must be at least four hours. The referral fee is due when a Hotel Nanny is confirmed for your assignment and is payable via credit card, and the amount is  based on the anticipated total number of hours of the assignment. Supplemental fees will be due if the assignment is extended.
The referral fee is separate from the wages you pay directly to the temporary candidate at the end of the assignment.
Agency fees for any requests for on-call nannies made during after hours are the same as the agency fees for Hotel Nanny placements. Our temporary department counselors are available to speak with you during after hours, Fridays from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
There is no Agency registration fee necessary for Hotel Nanny placements. Town & Country clients who have already paid the registration fee may book Hotel Nannies during regular business hours at the regular Temporary Nanny rate.

What is your cancellation policy?

If the assignment is changed or cancelled after a candidate is confirmed, the full temporary referral fee is due.

How do you screen your temporary candidates?

Our temporary candidates go through the same thorough screening process that all of our candidates go through. For our temporary candidates, we take additional steps to ensure that our information remains current as long as they are continuing to work with us for temporary assignments. In particular, after each temporary assignment for a client who is new for that candidate, we follow up with the client to get their feedback. We also rerun certain background checks, including the criminal records and driving records checks, every six months.

Is it possible to hire the same candidate for each assignment?

Our most qualified temporary employees are popular and get booked in advance, so we cannot always guarantee the availability of a specific person.  Of course, we are always happy to check availability of any candidate for you. As with any service professional, the earlier you plan, the more likely it will be that you can book the employee you want at the time you need.

Party Helpers and Event Nannies

The benefits of Town & Country Party Helpers and Event Nannies

Are you planning a party, birthday celebration or holiday gathering? Rely on our terrific pool of experienced party helpers to assist with party setup, food and beverage service and clean up.
You might also consider bringing in one of our Event Nannies who can help to make your event a success by providing an extra hand for child-related activities and help in the overall supervision of children.
Why not enjoy your guests and your party and leave the rest to our party helpers and event services candidates?

Responsibilities

Party helpers can help before, during and after your event:

• Set up and preparation, including arranging furniture, setting up party supplies, plates, glasses, utensils, etc.
• Serving food and beverages during your party
• Clean up during and after the party

Event Nannies can help before, during and after your event:

• Set up and organize children’s activities or coordinate with other entertainment activities.
• Supervise and care for your and your guests’ children during your event.
• Work individually or as part of a team with other Town & Country Nannies, depending on the size of your event.

Compensation

Party Helpers and Event Nannies both typically charge $25 per hour for most events. All wages are payable directly to the Party Helper or Event Nanny at the completion of the assignment. There is a four hour minimum for any assignment.
There is also an Agency fee of 35% of the total wages paid that will be billed to your credit card. This referral fee is due when your Party Helper or Event Nanny is confirmed for your assignment.

What clients and staff are saying

“Town & Country service is incredibly helpful to us!  I particularly value: (1) the high quality of the employees and the careful screening you do of your employees (2) the flexibility of being able to schedule for any times (3) the fact that you are always so nice and so professional!” —Amy
“When you need a Party Helper for a special event, finding the right match is important.  Town & Country Resources has the largest pool of Party Helpers in the Bay Area.  We know these Party Helpers very well and can find someone who will be the right fit for you.” —Melissa Browne, Town & Country Resources

Which positions are similar to a Butler?

Butlers may perform similar tasks as Household and Estate Managers when it comes to running a demanding home or estate. Typically, Butlers are responsible for a variety of duties related to serving employers and guests which fall outside the scope of responsibilities for most Household or Estate Managers. Some Butlers may also be responsible for overseeing the maintenance and cleaning of a household as would an Executive Housekeeper or Housekeeper

Butler

Responsibilities

If your lifestyle has significant demands and complexities, an efficient Butler can oversee the smooth management of your household and also provide formal service for you and your guests. Usually, Butlers have professional or formal training, and they typically work in households with other staff members.
We know how important the safety of your family and your home is. We work hard to screen all of our Butlers and check every reference.  We practice "full disclosure" which means that we share all pertinent information about candidates with our clients so that you can make a fully informed hiring decision. We’ll never withhold information from you just to push a candidate through. We will keep you informed of our progress screening your chosen candidates throughout your search.
It is important to us that you feel confident that the Butler you hire through Town & Country will maintain the safety and security of your home as well as your personal belongings and private information.  Just as important, we work closely with you to understand your household’s unique needs so that we can match you with a Butler who will be a great fit.
The duties of a Butler may include:

• Receiving guests
• Overseeing household management
• Creating budgets
• Managing provisions
• Hiring and overseeing other household staff
• Helping maintain household security
• Scheduling the maintenance for miscellaneous items in the estate (stables, boats, planes, etc.)
• Managing service vendors
• Performing general valet duties
• Running household and personal errands for the employer
• Making travel arrangements for the employer and other household guests
• Assisting with entertaining
• Light cooking
• Serving drinks
• Setting the table
• Maintaining the wine cellars and being knowledgeable about fine wines
• Performing light housekeeping

Compensation

Compensation for a Butler is usually based on two factors: the amount of experience the candidate brings to the position and the duties included in the Butler job description.

Salary
On average, full-time Butlers earn from $50K - $80K annually.

Benefits
Many families also choose to provide additional benefits to a full-time Butler such as:

Paid sick days
Paid vacation
Paid holidays
Medical insurance

What clients and staff are saying

“I wanted to tell you how impressed I was with your process.  You and your team offered a remarkably high caliber group of candidates that were perfectly matched for our homes.  And you managed it in an extremely short time period.” —Dianne, San Francisco
"Town & Country has an excellent pool of experienced Butlers who have worked in the finest homes. If you need a seasoned professional in your home to keep it impeccably maintained and provide exceptional service, I would welcome a conversation to speak about your specific needs." —Nancy McIlvaine, Town & Country Resources