Reasonable rate for our job? 4 kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think for 4 kids, $25/hour

See, this is the kind of answer that I don't find particularly helpful. "For 4 kids." What supports this number? The number of children that may be at home? The tasks involved? Help me understand the why behind it.

Because nannies typically get paid more to care for more children. That's generally the way it works.

The other issue is that you are going to need to pay someone essentially a full-time salary for PT work as it will be unlikely a nanny will be able to get a second job around those hours.

[Anonymous]

Nanny here. I think $20-$25/hour is reasonable. I currently hold a similar position, I work 2-7 (25 hours) at $20/hour. They also have 4 kids, 3 teens, and one elementary aged. Besides childcare and driving, I do a lot of household chores and errands. I do ALL of the family's laundry, and keep the house neat and organized (they have a weekly cleaning service). Errands include grocery shopping, and general pick up/drop off errands. I am hoping for a raise soon, as I feel I do a lot more than was presented when I started, and this warrants a higher rate.

I would say advertise at $20 so you have room for raises, or if there is a candidate you really like whose minimum rate is higher. It doesn't seem like you need a lot of housework, but the 3 year old will require a decent amount of care. Definitely offer the extra hours, as it's a pain to try to find 2 part time positions. Clearly describe your expectations, and have a contract! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nanny here. I think $20-$25/hour is reasonable. I currently hold a similar position, I work 2-7 (25 hours) at $20/hour. They also have 4 kids, 3 teens, and one elementary aged. Besides childcare and driving, I do a lot of household chores and errands. I do ALL of the family's laundry, and keep the house neat and organized (they have a weekly cleaning service). Errands include grocery shopping, and general pick up/drop off errands. I am hoping for a raise soon, as I feel I do a lot more than was presented when I started, and this warrants a higher rate.

I would say advertise at $20 so you have room for raises, or if there is a candidate you really like whose minimum rate is higher. It doesn't seem like you need a lot of housework, but the 3 year old will require a decent amount of care. Definitely offer the extra hours, as it's a pain to try to find 2 part time positions. Clearly describe your expectations, and have a contract! Good luck!

Thanks, this is helpful!

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP with the Au Pair. I agree $20 for a nanny is probably reasonable. With a nanny, you get someone who can jump right in and be useful and helpful. With an AP, you have to explain every little thing to them- like how to run the dishwasher and why not to put metal in the microwave, and train them how to drive on American roads and insure them, etc. An AP can be great and inexpensive, but you put a lot of upfront time into training and assimilating them, and they also live with you, which can be uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

And mileage, if the nanny is using her car to drive the children (summer to camp or activities etc) pay mileage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And mileage, if the nanny is using her car to drive the children (summer to camp or activities etc) pay mileage.

Car is provided for use. No wear and tear on nanny's car.

[Anonymous]

I have 3 kids, same ages as yours minus the 5 year old. My nanny is full time, but has about 12 hours "kid free". I sometimes give her tasks for those times (eg errands), but sometimes she uses her time to catch up on her own stuff. I also have her cover all schools days off that are not holidays.

I pay 16/hr, there is a few hours of overtime each week, and we are in VA outside the beltway. I don't make the nanny to do much of housework/laundry, even in the hours she has free... Nanny doesn't have higher education, but not stupid, and had only a couple of years of paid experience (she had her own kids though).

I really don't think "number of kids" need to be that much of play here. My 9 year old comes from school, gets herself a snack, and then goes into her room and reads for 30 minutes, and then I'm home. I make her lunch most of days
Yes there are bout 10 minutes in the morning between the time I leave and the 9 year old goes to the bus stop that anything can and does happen. And there are snow and teacher work days.

One of the reason that I think your rate per he might be is higher is that you are providing fewer than 40 hours. So you might ask prospective candidates whether they normally have something to occupy mornings and/or ballpark weekly amour that they are looking for.

[Anonymous]

OP you need to be prepared to offer full time hours, or understand that the part time worker you hire won't be available outside of the schedule you set. I mean really, who can subsist on 20-30 hours during the school year, be available for the random days off, and be available to you full time during the summer. It's simply not realistic, but if that's what you need, you need to pay enough for that person to not have to supplement their income. I think you're looking at $20-25/hour easy.

The PP paying $16/hour is 1) fortunate 2) offering more hours 3) has less children and asks for less "extras" beyond actual care for the children. I would not bank on getting away with that rate for what you're asking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP you need to be prepared to offer full time hours, or understand that the part time worker you hire won't be available outside of the schedule you set. I mean really, who can subsist on 20-30 hours during the school year, be available for the random days off, and be available to you full time during the summer. It's simply not realistic, but if that's what you need, you need to pay enough for that person to not have to supplement their income. I think you're looking at $20-25/hour easy.

The PP paying $16/hour is 1) fortunate 2) offering more hours 3) has less children and asks for less "extras" beyond actual care for the children. I would not bank on getting away with that rate for what you're asking for.

Agree. I don't know any decent nanny who would accept a $16/hr rate in this area.