Live-in Nanny Rates/Questions

[Anonymous]

I charge extra if I want to accommodate a "live-in" request. (I still have my own place, so your spare bedroom is no bargain for me.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I charge extra if I want to accommodate a "live-in" request. (I still have my own place, so your spare bedroom is no bargain for me.)

Ok, sure. So if OP really wants to hire YOU, then she'll have to up the rate. But ideally when you're looking for a live-in, you're looking for a nanny who sees that as a benefit too. Obviously you don't, so you probably wouldn't be the best candidate unless she really wanted you for other reasons over others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

-The parent(s) work odd or unpredictable hours
-The job requires exceptionally long/late hours
-They have no family or close friends nearby and want someone available in case of emergencies or unforeseen needs
-They desire a long term, familial relationship with the caregiver of their children
-They have special/high needs children and need the extra hands
-They have money to burn and like having help at their fingertips

If the only reason a family wants a live-in is to save money, they really should look at other options, because as you said it is inconvenient inviting someone into your home if you don't truly want them there, but its no walk in the park for the nanny either. She shouldn't be paying for your inconvenience any more than you should pay for hers.

I'm the one PP you're responding to, and some of these make sense. But I think the situations are what increase the rate rather than it being normally comparable for a live-in rate to equal a live-out rate. I don't think having a live-in automatically means that you'll have someone who is willing to work flexible or weird hours and who is happy to pitch in any time you have an emergency or help when off-duty. It doesn't even necessarily mean that it will be someone who hangs around with your family after hours and develops a familial relationship.

I completely agree that you'll be paying a higher rate for someone who is willing to be an extra pair of hands pretty much 24/7 simply because she lives there. I can see that person being paid a higher rate even than a live-out. But if you're talking a standard nanny arrangement with set hours and no expectation of helping when off duty, then I don't see why that would command a higher rate to live-in than to live-out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

-The parent(s) work odd or unpredictable hours
-The job requires exceptionally long/late hours
-They have no family or close friends nearby and want someone available in case of emergencies or unforeseen needs
-They desire a long term, familial relationship with the caregiver of their children
-They have special/high needs children and need the extra hands
-They have money to burn and like having help at their fingertips

If the only reason a family wants a live-in is to save money, they really should look at other options, because as you said it is inconvenient inviting someone into your home if you don't truly want them there, but its no walk in the park for the nanny either. She shouldn't be paying for your inconvenience any more than you should pay for hers.

I'm the one PP you're responding to, and some of these make sense. But I think the situations are what increase the rate rather than it being normally comparable for a live-in rate to equal a live-out rate. I don't think having a live-in automatically means that you'll have someone who is willing to work flexible or weird hours and who is happy to pitch in any time you have an emergency or help when off-duty. It doesn't even necessarily mean that it will be someone who hangs around with your family after hours and develops a familial relationship.

I completely agree that you'll be paying a higher rate for someone who is willing to be an extra pair of hands pretty much 24/7 simply because she lives there. I can see that person being paid a higher rate even than a live-out. But if you're talking a standard nanny arrangement with set hours and no expectation of helping when off duty, then I don't see why that would command a higher rate to live-in than to live-out.

I'm the PP that made the list. I think if you set up the job to truly be no different than that of a live out, with the exception being that she lives there, then I see your point. However, I have worked my share of live-in jobs and it is never that way in reality. Its too easy to cross those boundaries sometimes, and its really hard for the nanny to say no. I loved the families that I worked for, and they were generally respectful of my time/space but there were plenty of times when something unexpected came up and my living in the basement made me the first line of defense. I did unscheduled emergency pickups from preschool, cared for sick kids on my day off, was handed the baby monitor so mom could run out quickly and I can't very well say no if she sees me lounging on the sofa (of course I could, but that breeds more bitterness than its worth). I accept a very slight decrease in my rates for a live-in position, but I am well aware that when I accept the job, my space is not really my space, and my time is not really my time. That is what you're paying for, and if that's not what you want, a live-in isn't really what you need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

-The parent(s) work odd or unpredictable hours
-The job requires exceptionally long/late hours
-They have no family or close friends nearby and want someone available in case of emergencies or unforeseen needs
-They desire a long term, familial relationship with the caregiver of their children
-They have special/high needs children and need the extra hands
-They have money to burn and like having help at their fingertips

If the only reason a family wants a live-in is to save money, they really should look at other options, because as you said it is inconvenient inviting someone into your home if you don't truly want them there, but its no walk in the park for the nanny either. She shouldn't be paying for your inconvenience any more than you should pay for hers.

I'm the one PP you're responding to, and some of these make sense. But I think the situations are what increase the rate rather than it being normally comparable for a live-in rate to equal a live-out rate. I don't think having a live-in automatically means that you'll have someone who is willing to work flexible or weird hours and who is happy to pitch in any time you have an emergency or help when off-duty. It doesn't even necessarily mean that it will be someone who hangs around with your family after hours and develops a familial relationship.

I completely agree that you'll be paying a higher rate for someone who is willing to be an extra pair of hands pretty much 24/7 simply because she lives there. I can see that person being paid a higher rate even than a live-out. But if you're talking a standard nanny arrangement with set hours and no expectation of helping when off duty, then I don't see why that would command a higher rate to live-in than to live-out.

I'm the PP that made the list. I think if you set up the job to truly be no different than that of a live out, with the exception being that she lives there, then I see your point. However, I have worked my share of live-in jobs and it is never that way in reality. Its too easy to cross those boundaries sometimes, and its really hard for the nanny to say no. I loved the families that I worked for, and they were generally respectful of my time/space but there were plenty of times when something unexpected came up and my living in the basement made me the first line of defense. I did unscheduled emergency pickups from preschool, cared for sick kids on my day off, was handed the baby monitor so mom could run out quickly and I can't very well say no if she sees me lounging on the sofa (of course I could, but that breeds more bitterness than its worth). I accept a very slight decrease in my rates for a live-in position, but I am well aware that when I accept the job, my space is not really my space, and my time is not really my time. That is what you're paying for, and if that's not what you want, a live-in isn't really what you need.

Thanks for clarifying, PP. I've enjoyed this exchange and think it's helpful. We've had a live-in and au pairs and treated them just like we would have a live-out in terms of respecting their time. I personally think it's incredibly necessary to be respectful of a live-in's off-time, assuming you haven't hired them on the condition that they are flexible. I agree with you that if you expect any nanny to be flexible with her on-duty time, that that would come with a commensurate rate increase, regardless of whether she's live-in or live-out.

If we're just talking straight live-in versus live-out rate with the same duties and expectations, I still maintain that most MBs will want to offer a lower rate. Particularly if food is included. With all of our live-in situations, we experienced quite an increase in utilities, food costs, damage to the house, increase in noise and visitors, etc. So I personally couldn't see paying the same rate for a live-in as live-out given that we don't require ours to be flexible or to help out when off-duty.

[Anonymous]

OP Here - thanks everyone who had actual feedback!

To clarify - we currently have an au pair because it is cheaper than having a live-out nanny. We are extremely respectful of schedule/time-off and have family in the area, so we have never asked her to work over her hours or at the last minute. We're exploring the option of a live-in nanny (as opposed to an au pair) because it seems like we may be able to find someone with more experience taking care of infants.

To clarify the 'rent' issue, I am trying to figure out what a reasonable amount would be to decrease the hourly rate - I am not suggesting that we would actually charge rent. And I would be open/flexible to sharing food/car/etc.

My main question is -- what is the going rate for a live-in?

[Anonymous]

OP - have you considered the APIA extraordinaire au pair program? It's about $4,000 more than a regular au pair for the year, but the candidates have to have child-related degrees or have spent two years as a nanny or teacher. We have had three excellent au pairs through the program who come already highly skilled in child care. Something to consider.

[Anonymous]

I'm a live in nanny I make 400 per week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a live in nanny I make 400 per week.

Your statement is only a small piece of the full picture, so it doesn't say anything useful at all.

[Anonymous]

I work 50 plus hrs per week. Depends on of my bosses need more care. And make 400 a week as a live in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work 50 plus hrs per week. Depends on of my bosses need more care. And make 400 a week as a live in.

What town? What's your background? What ages are the kids? Do you do "quality" care, as in no screen time? Are you really pretty much on call 24/7?

[Anonymous]

I'm twenty one, three years of relevant prior nanny experience. I make 400/wk for 45 hours of work.I don't pay for food my NF is really great they had me add things on the grocery list for a few weeks and then just knew. I am not 24/7 or weekends. We have a structured schedule that we go over in our weekly family meeting just incase there are changes,kid related issues, we also live together it's good to just talk and make sure everyone is on the same team and happy. I have use of the car on duty/with permission when off duty and I don't pay insurance or gas . I really enjoy the family I'm currently working for.

[Anonymous]

I'm the pp making 400 per week. I work in mclean taking care of 3 kids ages 1, 3 and 5. I've been a nanny for 15 years. I'm white I speak english fluently and I'm from the Midwest section of the united states. I have an associates degree in early childhood education.

I follow the parents guidelines for screen time which compared to other families might be considered lax. On average they watch 1.5 hrs per day. Not all of that is with me though. My regular hrs are 8-6 mon- Fri but I do work sometimes later and when I do they pay me extra. I do all of the family laundry, clean up after the kids, clean the kitchen, playroom and a lot of other child related things. I run errands, take the kids to classes, library, play dates all the usual nanny stuff.
I drive there car and they pay for my insurance and gas. They provide my food and pay my health insurance. My only personal bill is my cell phone.
I don't make a lot of money but over the last 15 years I've been able to save over 250,000 because I hardly have any expenses. This is the first family that I have worked for that doesn't pay for my cell phone. I typically don't ever use my paycheck I just deposit it and use the extra "babysitting" money I get. Being a live in is worth it to me so I can save my paycheck. I'm also a very frugal person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the pp making 400 per week. I work in mclean taking care of 3 kids ages 1, 3 and 5. I've been a nanny for 15 years. I'm white I speak english fluently and I'm from the Midwest section of the united states. I have an associates degree in early childhood education.

I follow the parents guidelines for screen time which compared to other families might be considered lax. On average they watch 1.5 hrs per day. Not all of that is with me though. My regular hrs are 8-6 mon- Fri but I do work sometimes later and when I do they pay me extra. I do all of the family laundry, clean up after the kids, clean the kitchen, playroom and a lot of other child related things. I run errands, take the kids to classes, library, play dates all the usual nanny stuff.
I drive there car and they pay for my insurance and gas. They provide my food and pay my health insurance. My only personal bill is my cell phone.
I don't make a lot of money but over the last 15 years I've been able to save over 250,000 because I hardly have any expenses. This is the first family that I have worked for that doesn't pay for my cell phone. I typically don't ever use my paycheck I just deposit it and use the extra "babysitting" money I get. Being a live in is worth it to me so I can save my paycheck. I'm also a very frugal person.

You should teach a class - you sound remarkably organized, mature, and competent. I so wish our nanny had the life management/financial smarts you demonstrate here.

[Anonymous]

I was making $850 a week with my last live-in job. 50 hours a week.