I see it all of the time: parents expecting their first child asking about child care in Seattle. The one piece of advice all seasoned parents in this area will give is GET ON THE DAYCARE WAIT LISTS NOW!

Child care around Seattle is no joke. You literally have to get on wait lists before your baby is born to have any chance at getting a spot in daycare. (I have heard that sometimes the stars align and several lucky people get right in to their first choice when they need care. But I have also heard that some people are on wait lists for YEARS.) This recent Seattle Times article recommends getting on wait lists if you are even thinking about conceiving.

So, what can parents do? Some make the choice to tighten the budget and have one parent stay home. Others can afford to employ a nanny of their own. The lucky ones have family members nearby who are willing and able to help out. Many parents choose to go the nanny share route, either intentionally or by default once they realize how difficult it can be to find an opening in a care center (especially an infant opening!), or how expensive it can be to shoulder the entire cost of employing a nanny alone.

Other parents seek out a nanny share so their baby can get the socialization benefits of having a regular playmate around. Nanny shares take a little work to set up, but they can be an excellent alternative to daycare and can make employing a nanny more affordable. (To note, while nanny shares are an excellent childcare option, they are not actually legal childcare arrangements in the state of Washington. Learn more about that by clicking here.)

Continue reading “How To Successfully Set Up A Nanny Share” →

During the series of snowstorms that hit the Seattle area in February 2019, I heard from dozens of desperate parents who were seeking last minute care as their nanny was unable to safely make it into work.

I was discussing with the hubby and he had a novel idea….what if parents could find nannies or sitters that live within walking distance that might be able to offer last minute child care? Parents can get their child care need covered while care providers don’t have to risk driving on icy roads (or missing out on income if they don’t have guaranteed hours)!

Continue reading “Snow Day Child Care! Find A Nanny/Sitter In Your Neighborhood” →

I hope everyone has caught their breath after the holidays and is enjoying the beginning of 2019!

There are three law changes going into effect this year that you need to know about if you employ a nanny. Nannies should stay on top of the latest changes to the law as well! The new laws can affect your income in several ways. If your employer isn’t aware of these changes for 2019, now is a good time to casually share this blog post with them 😉

Continue reading “Don’t Miss These 2019 Law Changes” →

Guest post from Nanny Parent Connection member Becki Brack who is a Partner and Certified Public Accountant with  Growing Numbers Accounting and Bookkeeping. Thanks Becki for helping everyone stay up to date on the newest employment law change coming in 2019. You’re the best!

Beginning January 1, 2019, Washington’s Paid Family & Medical Leave program will launch and premiums are required to be paid to fund the program. Employee benefits will be available beginning in 2020.  The program is generally funded through premiums paid by employers as well as an employee premium.  

Continue reading “Important 2019 Law Change: Be Prepared!” →

Fall is here and that means so is cold and flu season. If you are a parent you know that a child’s first few years in daycare, preschool and school can be a roller coaster of runny noses, weird illnesses (Hand, Foot, and Mouth or Fifth Disease, anyone?) and subsequent sick days.

As a child, I remember thinking that staying home sick from school was a special treat – even if I didn’t feel great. Sometimes we would try to fake it with mom, but she was too smart for us. I learned from an older sister that I could touch the end of the thermometer to my bedside lamp light bulb to bump the temperature reading up a few notches. I think I was busted when the thermometer read 105 degrees but I appeared to be fine. (Sorry, mom!)

Now that I’m a parent, I realize how difficult it can be to stay home from work unexpectedly. Sometimes staying home with a very sick child is the only option. (There’s also something extra special about cuddling and caring for your kiddo when they aren’t feeling great.) It’s nice if you’re able to take the day off work and do this, but that’s not always possible for parents to do. Sometimes your day must go on and last minute childcare is needed.

So, how can you best prepare for the unexpected? Here are five tips for successfully navigating your need for last minute child care:

Continue reading “Finding Back Up Childcare Like A Boss – 5 Tips When You’re In A Bind” →