Offered a f/t nanny position for summer, what to ask for?

[Anonymous]

To give you a "realistic" idea -- I am a nanny in the middle of careers, as well. I have a master's degree (although it's not in early childhood education), many years of babysitting experience but no full-time nanny experience, and infant/child CPR. I nanny for two different sets of children in DC (in the city) and make $20/hour. One of the families has two preschool-aged children, and the other is a nanny share with two toddlers. I do light housekeeping when there is time - dishes, laundry, wiping down surfaces, Swiffering floors, but I don't have a set list of chores I must finish. I think this a totally "realistic" wage for someone with your credentials. However, it might be a little lower in Baltimore than it is in DC. My husband and I are moving up to MD this summer, and the nanny ads I see up that way are definitely offering less than in DC. If I were you, I would not accept a position for less than $15-17/hour for one family depending on the number of children, or $20 for a nanny share. I would also try to negotiate a couple paid sick days if you are really sick and legitimately can't come in. When I first started working with the kids, I was so sick constantly. I have only ever taken one sick day, though, when I got hand-foot-mouth from the kids, and I didn't get paid for it.

Good luck with your search!

[Anonymous]

OP, Do you prefer live-in or live-out? Maybe you could post your email here?

[Anonymous]

I have a friend looking for a summer-time nanny close to Baltimore (but more a DC suburb so I think her area pays a tiny bit higher), for her 3 kids, and her "high" end is $20. And she expects light housekeeping with that. Your education is impressive, but unless I read too quickly, you don't have any full-time, long-term Nannying experience in a home setting. So I don't think you can command the higher end of the range that people are talking about on here. Education is great, but an employer looking for someone to manage those long, summer days is going to want to see track history of success in the particular job s/he is hiring for ... and there are a lot of education majors our there who have actually Nannied before. So $18ish sounds right to me, and maybe a little higher if you're lucky. But over $20 seems like a reach to me (also, I pay my awesome, awesome full-time Nanny a bit less than this for the simple reason that we're her first full-time Nannying job, too).

[Anonymous]

outside Baltimore is the boonies. 18 might be realistic if you are in or near DC, 25 a dream. for outside Baltimore, 15 if you are lucky, 12 to 13more common. your qualifications are great but honestly there are lots others with qualifications like yours who have no jobs, nannying otherwise.

[Anonymous]

You need only one family who can recognize your worth, and who can afford you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Unless you're in a super-depressed geographical area, btwn 18-25/hr.

I agree. Don't let anyone here talk you down - you sound like the type of nanny who can command this level of compensation.

I should follow this up with, "but if you're finding that you aren't getting offers in this range, you'll know you'll have to charge less" just so all the crazy people here know that I understand how "the market" works. Also because it's true, but I assume that goes without saying everywhere but DCUM.

I agree. In a perfect world I would be able to command $18-25/hr for nanny but that wage is comparable to entry level positions in my field. I am incredibly passionate about childcare but I don't see child protection and nannying on the same level of accountability, education, or scope of practice. I don't want to downplay the nanny profession because I understand the importance of a qualified and competent caregiver. However, I am interested what kind of realistic wage expectation I should negotiate for a nanny position.

I make within this range, so I consider it realistic. I do not live near Baltimore, however.

I don't believe you. Where I live, the market rate is higher for nannying then other States and even I wouldn't walk in and ask for $25/hour. I had a feeling someone was going to pretend they make that much because there is always that person who lies to try and back up their inflated claim.

OP, where do you live? So I can give you a REAL rate. You have good qualifications so the area is everything.

Where are you located PP? In my area, where there is a higher rate as well, people with no ECE credits or other degrees etc, and just a couple years of experience as a FT nanny can be making $18/hr for just one child. For 2-3 school age kids for FT summer hours, you can find something for $22-25 and with the OP's experience/education, $25 would not be out of the question at all. I don't think it would be the same for the Baltimore area, but since you were trying to make it seem like any area even with a higher market rate wouldn't get you a position for that rate, I have to say you are wrong. I live in San Francisco, and every single nanny agency around here posts ads that are for between $18-25/hr, you won't find an agency posting with a rate less than that. Even the cheaper positions for one child tend to be $15-17/hr, though we do get some cheapskates around here as well that try to get someone for a measly $10 (which is actually below our minimum wage which just moved up to $10.55/hr) to $12/hr.

This is why people get so frustrated when nannies from other areas of the country post their rates! You are IN SAN FRANSISCO The OP is outside of Baltimore. The two are SO far removed from each other in just about every aspect. You cannot say that nannies in your area demand 18-25 and so OP is selling herself short if she doesn't do the same. It's idiotic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless you're in a super-depressed geographical area, btwn 18-25/hr.

WHAT? Will you stop inflating these answers. OP will look like a crazy dreamer if she walked into a interview asking for $25/hour.

Friendly forum nazi.... Again.
You are the one who is on a rampage to deflate nanny wages.
I am going to tell YOU about the market, FFN:
Some nannies are worth minimum wage, and get that.
Some are worth 10-17/hr, and get that.

Now listen up....
Some of us are worth 18-25 (and more),
and get that.

Get it?

Enough with your nonsense.

You are too funny! I am the person you repeatedly accuse of being the FFN on another thread, but this post right now is my first on this one. You can ask Jeff to confirm if you wish. And again, I don't think you understand what FFN means. Again, it refers to someone trying to shut down debate. And again, invoking Godwin's Law, you have lost all credibility. But thanks for playing.

OP, I recommend asking $20-22/hour for a summer nanny position. You have great qualifications. But market yourself as a summer nanny/tutor. If you can help kids with their knowledge retention, you can definitely ask extra for such services.

[Anonymous]

OP - I'm a mom w/ a FT nanny. Since you're only looking for summer employment you need to find the right fit. You might be the absolute perfect solution for someone needing a short term solution and they might be willing to pay more. Or it could be tough to command top dollar when you're only looking for 3 mths of employment.

Given your education and experience I wouldn't blink at someone asking for $15/hr. I might resist going higher than that.

I live in Montgomery County outside DC. I don't know the B'more market but like most other things I expect it might be a little cheaper. Not sure though. My sister has had nannies from agencies in Baltimore (Guildford area) and she paid less that I'm paying now. I believe she was paying around $13-14 hour (for experienced nanny through an agency).

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - I'm a mom w/ a FT nanny. Since you're only looking for summer employment you need to find the right fit. You might be the absolute perfect solution for someone needing a short term solution and they might be willing to pay more. Or it could be tough to command top dollar when you're only looking for 3 mths of employment.

Given your education and experience I wouldn't blink at someone asking for $15/hr. I might resist going higher than that.

I live in Montgomery County outside DC. I don't know the B'more market but like most other things I expect it might be a little cheaper. Not sure though. My sister has had nannies from agencies in Baltimore (Guildford area) and she paid less that I'm paying now. I believe she was paying around $13-14 hour (for experienced nanny through an agency).

Good luck!

For many people whose kids are in school full-time, a summer nanny is invaluable. It's a different deal because the children are usually older. Requires different skills, and I think she could command top dollar given that niche and her qualifications.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless you're in a super-depressed geographical area, btwn 18-25/hr.

WHAT? Will you stop inflating these answers. OP will look like a crazy dreamer if she walked into a interview asking for $25/hour.

I am a former attorney and ECE teacher. Last summer I was offered 18.00 an hour and think its great. As for 'tooting your own horn' don't worry. You are still in collge- there is not much to brag about. Nothing more annoying then listeing to a 20 something talk about how much experience they have.

[Anonymous]

I am really unaware of what market rate is in your area. I do believe you would be able to demand medium-high of what your area generally pays but I don't think you have the qualifications to command top pay. You have some babysitting experience but you have no nannying experience. Most (but not all) parents would prefer a nanny with extensive experience nannying full time over someone who is educated with little to no experience. I would take a look at what care.com, sittercity.com, and other sites have and what kind of pay families are looking for. I would aim for middle range pay for your area.

[Anonymous]

She should go for the max, then come down if needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She should go for the max, then come down if needed.

If you go in for a job interview demanding $25/hr, and the family is only willing to do $18, you're going to be laughed out of the interview.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless you're in a super-depressed geographical area, btwn 18-25/hr.

I agree. Don't let anyone here talk you down - you sound like the type of nanny who can command this level of compensation.

I should follow this up with, "but if you're finding that you aren't getting offers in this range, you'll know you'll have to charge less" just so all the crazy people here know that I understand how "the market" works. Also because it's true, but I assume that goes without saying everywhere but DCUM.

I agree. In a perfect world I would be able to command $18-25/hr for nanny but that wage is comparable to entry level positions in my field. I am incredibly passionate about childcare but I don't see child protection and nannying on the same level of accountability, education, or scope of practice. I don't want to downplay the nanny profession because I understand the importance of a qualified and competent caregiver. However, I am interested what kind of realistic wage expectation I should negotiate for a nanny position.

I make within this range, so I consider it realistic. I do not live near Baltimore, however.

I don't believe you. Where I live, the market rate is higher for nannying then other States and even I wouldn't walk in and ask for $25/hour. I had a feeling someone was going to pretend they make that much because there is always that person who lies to try and back up their inflated claim.

OP, where do you live? So I can give you a REAL rate. You have good qualifications so the area is everything.

Where are you located PP? In my area, where there is a higher rate as well, people with no ECE credits or other degrees etc, and just a couple years of experience as a FT nanny can be making $18/hr for just one child. For 2-3 school age kids for FT summer hours, you can find something for $22-25 and with the OP's experience/education, $25 would not be out of the question at all. I don't think it would be the same for the Baltimore area, but since you were trying to make it seem like any area even with a higher market rate wouldn't get you a position for that rate, I have to say you are wrong. I live in San Francisco, and every single nanny agency around here posts ads that are for between $18-25/hr, you won't find an agency posting with a rate less than that. Even the cheaper positions for one child tend to be $15-17/hr, though we do get some cheapskates around here as well that try to get someone for a measly $10 (which is actually below our minimum wage which just moved up to $10.55/hr) to $12/hr.

This is why people get so frustrated when nannies from other areas of the country post their rates! You are IN SAN FRANSISCO The OP is outside of Baltimore. The two are SO far removed from each other in just about every aspect. You cannot say that nannies in your area demand 18-25 and so OP is selling herself short if she doesn't do the same. It's idiotic.

Maybe you should read what I was commenting on before you go off on a rant. I was replying to the pp that I quoted who said in her area, which was one of the highest paid areas in the country, that even SHE couldn't dream of getting $25/hr. I said that it IS possible, as I live in one of those areas that have a high market rate for nannies. I also said that OP being in the Baltimore area, most likely would not get the same rates as where I am (but I don't know what would be a fair rate for someone like her in her location). Most of my reply was directed to the PP, NOT the OP. I never said anything about OP selling herself short if she didn't try to get the same rate of between $18-25/hr. Learn to read.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Unless you're in a super-depressed geographical area, btwn 18-25/hr.


I agree. Don't let anyone here talk you down - you sound like the type of nanny who can command this level of compensation.

This is bad advice, OP.

You may have education, but you don't have any F/T nannying experience, so that works against you.

For your area (and I'm in DC, so it's familiar), I'd say ask for $14-$16 for 1-2 kids, and top out at $20/hr for 3, if the family has no camps and you are truly F/T with three. Most families will think $20 is too high, but I think it's reasonable to ask for 3 kids and see if they will counter at $18-$19/hr.

Good luck.