How much to offer in Arlington VA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your setup is more than generous and is the dream job that many nannies look for. It is definitely not too little. You should not offer sick leave on top of vacation leave but instead call it "paid leave."

$50k a year guaranteed on top of having only one child for most of the day, plus car... a great setup indeed.

You can get the top of the line nanny in the DC area for what you are describing.

Interesting. Why call it paid leave instead? Is that the norm?

2 weeks paid leave is standard. This includes sick and vacation in one pool so people are not tempted to call in sick last minute when they have a vacation planned. It gives you notice to find another sitter and employees do not have to lie.

You should be weary of offering too much leave (more than standard) based on my experience. I had a nanny go on a 3 week vacation leaving me scrambling and I ultimately had to use weeks of my leave time to accommodate her vacation. When she came back, she gave her 2 week notice.

I know you want to treat your nanny fairly and get off to a great start but you should really be careful before you open your heart and wallet. The nanny industry is filled with some good people but some others who would otherwise be flipping burgers at McDonalds and do not give a flippant care about your situation.

You sound really nice. Just be really careful. Think about maybe having them work to accumulate their leave time. Also, start with less favorable contract and then do 6 month evaluations to make sure the nanny is worth it.

In my experience, the nannies who negotiated higher rates with me were not necessarily the best nannies.

Thanks for the thoughts. I like the idea of having leave accrue. That's certainly how it works at my job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your setup is more than generous and is the dream job that many nannies look for. It is definitely not too little. You should not offer sick leave on top of vacation leave but instead call it "paid leave."

$50k a year guaranteed on top of having only one child for most of the day, plus car... a great setup indeed.

You can get the top of the line nanny in the DC area for what you are describing.

Interesting. Why call it paid leave instead? Is that the norm?

2 weeks paid leave is standard. This includes sick and vacation in one pool so people are not tempted to call in sick last minute when they have a vacation planned. It gives you notice to find another sitter and employees do not have to lie.

You should be weary of offering too much leave (more than standard) based on my experience. I had a nanny go on a 3 week vacation leaving me scrambling and I ultimately had to use weeks of my leave time to accommodate her vacation. When she came back, she gave her 2 week notice.

I know you want to treat your nanny fairly and get off to a great start but you should really be careful before you open your heart and wallet. The nanny industry is filled with some good people but some others who would otherwise be flipping burgers at McDonalds and do not give a flippant care about your situation.

You sound really nice. Just be really careful. Think about maybe having them work to accumulate their leave time. Also, start with less favorable contract and then do 6 month evaluations to make sure the nanny is worth it.

In my experience, the nannies who negotiated higher rates with me were not necessarily the best nannies.

You, PP, on the other hand, sound like a 24k bitch and I am not a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your setup is more than generous and is the dream job that many nannies look for. It is definitely not too little. You should not offer sick leave on top of vacation leave but instead call it "paid leave."

$50k a year guaranteed on top of having only one child for most of the day, plus car... a great setup indeed.

You can get the top of the line nanny in the DC area for what you are describing.

Interesting. Why call it paid leave instead? Is that the norm?

2 weeks paid leave is standard. This includes sick and vacation in one pool so people are not tempted to call in sick last minute when they have a vacation planned. It gives you notice to find another sitter and employees do not have to lie.

You should be weary of offering too much leave (more than standard) based on my experience. I had a nanny go on a 3 week vacation leaving me scrambling and I ultimately had to use weeks of my leave time to accommodate her vacation. When she came back, she gave her 2 week notice.

I know you want to treat your nanny fairly and get off to a great start but you should really be careful before you open your heart and wallet. The nanny industry is filled with some good people but some others who would otherwise be flipping burgers at McDonalds and do not give a flippant care about your situation.

You sound really nice. Just be really careful. Think about maybe having them work to accumulate their leave time. Also, start with less favorable contract and then do 6 month evaluations to make sure the nanny is worth it.

In my experience, the nannies who negotiated higher rates with me were not necessarily the best nannies.

You, PP, on the other hand, sound like a 24k bitch and I am not a nanny.

I don't think that poster sounds like a bitch. I think she sounds pragmatic and experienced. She's right and her advice seems harsh to people new to hiring, or to hiring nannies, but it is really quite solid advice.

[Anonymous]

I would offer at least $17 an hour, OP, to get an educated and experienced nanny who can stay with you. Taking a child to preschool and picking them up every day with a little one in tow is not as easy as people make it out to be especially in winter. You have a decent package but I started at $18 for one infant two years ago in Arlington.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would offer at least $17 an hour, OP, to get an educated and experienced nanny who can stay with you. Taking a child to preschool and picking them up every day with a little one in tow is not as easy as people make it out to be especially in winter. You have a decent package but I started at $18 for one infant two years ago in Arlington.

Thanks, PP. Can I ask what sort of hours your nanny worked? We need at least 50 every week and the hourly rate with OT really adds up. We want to be fair and attract good candidates though. I'm torn, which is why I posted our proposal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would offer at least $17 an hour, OP, to get an educated and experienced nanny who can stay with you. Taking a child to preschool and picking them up every day with a little one in tow is not as easy as people make it out to be especially in winter. You have a decent package but I started at $18 for one infant two years ago in Arlington.

Thanks, PP. Can I ask what sort of hours your nanny worked? We need at least 50 every week and the hourly rate with OT really adds up. We want to be fair and attract good candidates though. I'm torn, which is why I posted our proposal.

50 hours a week with all your same benefits for a newborn (now he is 2.5). We have also given annual raises of $1 so she is up to $20 an hour. She is fantastic! Never uses her phone when working, never late, amazing with DS (she was a former preschool teacher with a degree in ECE) and has taught him so much and takes him all over to classes and story times. Takes care of his laundry, marketing and makes homemade foods for him. In two years she asked for one morning off to attend a funeral. She takes her job very seriously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would offer at least $17 an hour, OP, to get an educated and experienced nanny who can stay with you. Taking a child to preschool and picking them up every day with a little one in tow is not as easy as people make it out to be especially in winter. You have a decent package but I started at $18 for one infant two years ago in Arlington.

Thanks, PP. Can I ask what sort of hours your nanny worked? We need at least 50 every week and the hourly rate with OT really adds up. We want to be fair and attract good candidates though. I'm torn, which is why I posted our proposal.

50 hours a week with all your same benefits for a newborn (now he is 2.5). We have also given annual raises of $1 so she is up to $20 an hour. She is fantastic! Never uses her phone when working, never late, amazing with DS (she was a former preschool teacher with a degree in ECE) and has taught him so much and takes him all over to classes and story times. Takes care of his laundry, marketing and makes homemade foods for him. In two years she asked for one morning off to attend a funeral. She takes her job very seriously.

Thanks, appreciate it. I had been reading that there was a tradeoff btwn hourly rate and # of hours (if one was higher, the other could be lower, etc.), so it's helpful to hear from someone so close to our situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would offer at least $17 an hour, OP, to get an educated and experienced nanny who can stay with you. Taking a child to preschool and picking them up every day with a little one in tow is not as easy as people make it out to be especially in winter. You have a decent package but I started at $18 for one infant two years ago in Arlington.

Thanks, PP. Can I ask what sort of hours your nanny worked? We need at least 50 every week and the hourly rate with OT really adds up. We want to be fair and attract good candidates though. I'm torn, which is why I posted our proposal.

50 hours a week with all your same benefits for a newborn (now he is 2.5). We have also given annual raises of $1 so she is up to $20 an hour. She is fantastic! Never uses her phone when working, never late, amazing with DS (she was a former preschool teacher with a degree in ECE) and has taught him so much and takes him all over to classes and story times. Takes care of his laundry, marketing and makes homemade foods for him. In two years she asked for one morning off to attend a funeral. She takes her job very seriously.

Thanks, appreciate it. I had been reading that there was a tradeoff btwn hourly rate and # of hours (if one was higher, the other could be lower, etc.), so it's helpful to hear from someone so close to our situation.

You're welcome. Our experience in this area is that most nannies need to work 50 hours to cover the average parent's commuting time.

You can advertise between $15 and $20 and see what the rate quoted by the best candidate is. I have a friend who got an fantastic nanny, educated and experienced, for $17 an hour because the nanny could walk to their home only two blocks away. To this nanny, not commuting at all was a huge perk.

[Anonymous]

I am a Nanny currently, and you sound like an awesome employer! Guranteed pay is a very attractive benefit! I work part time for two families and when I am not needed, especially around holidays, it is very hard. I am experienced, certified, BG checked etc, and would accept that amount. I would give 5 personal paid days in your package and you should be just fine! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would offer at least $17 an hour, OP, to get an educated and experienced nanny who can stay with you. Taking a child to preschool and picking them up every day with a little one in tow is not as easy as people make it out to be especially in winter. You have a decent package but I started at $18 for one infant two years ago in Arlington.

Please, I'm a mom and I do it every day. All you need for pickup/dropoff with an infant in tow is decent muscles in your arm to handle an infant carrier carseat. That's pretty much it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would offer at least $17 an hour, OP, to get an educated and experienced nanny who can stay with you. Taking a child to preschool and picking them up every day with a little one in tow is not as easy as people make it out to be especially in winter. You have a decent package but I started at $18 for one infant two years ago in Arlington.

Please, I'm a mom and I do it every day. All you need for pickup/dropoff with an infant in tow is decent muscles in your arm to handle an infant carrier carseat. That's pretty much it.

Not PP but no one is saying it isn't doable - simply a hassle with a new baby and not nearly the "benefit" most people think for two hours.

[Anonymous]

I would consider the job, OP! Ultimately I might be looking for more, but your package is strong and people will be interested. Offer 5 PTO days for a 50hr a week job - she'll need to schedule a dentist appointment once a year, maybe take her car in, stay home when she's vomiting, etc.

[Anonymous]

After 40 hours its time and a half

[Anonymous]

Guaranteed $50k is a lot. Hourly rate being higher without guaranteed 50k is meaningless/worse for the nanny.

As an aside it's a bit sad that from the employer's perspective MB would have to earn 80,000 just to pay the nanny for this set up. Maybe it's hitting me hard because I'll have the same needs (baby and a preschooler) but I would not be able to offer that with my 75k a year government attorney position (due to paying income taxes). With preschool costs you'd have to be earning 100,000 just to be able to continue working for net zero cash flow many years.

Just rambling. I thought I could get a nanny and do a cheaper PT preschool that charges 500 a month but after number crunching it seems challenging. I envy those who have a nanny for the baby and older one and can also send their older one to preschool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Guaranteed $50k is a lot. Hourly rate being higher without guaranteed 50k is meaningless/worse for the nanny.

As an aside it's a bit sad that from the employer's perspective MB would have to earn 80,000 just to pay the nanny for this set up. Maybe it's hitting me hard because I'll have the same needs (baby and a preschooler) but I would not be able to offer that with my 75k a year government attorney position (due to paying income taxes). With preschool costs you'd have to be earning 100,000 just to be able to continue working for net zero cash flow many years.

Just rambling. I thought I could get a nanny and do a cheaper PT preschool that charges 500 a month but after number crunching it seems challenging. I envy those who have a nanny for the baby and older one and can also send their older one to preschool.

OP here. I've been monitoring this thread and thanks for the other responses. Thought I'd respond to this one. I'm the DW/MB (depending on which forum you post on!) and happen to be the breadwinner at present. Previously DH and I have earned the same amount, but now he makes about 120k and has noted that most of his after-tax salary will be going to nanny/preschool. I have female friends in the same position. The fact of the matter is, if you choose to work and want to continue your career, you need to pay to cover childcare, even if in the short term it's at the break-even point from the perspective of your salary alone. But childcare is a family expense and it shouldn't be viewed as something that comes out of one or the other's salary, if both parents want to work. And, believe me, my salary comes at personal cost sometimes. In any event, the point of this post was to gauge a fair package that would allow someone else to do what I need them to do (i.e. care for my children) and contribute to their own family too, because I do know we're lucky to be as comfortable as we are right now.