Need advice re: part-time nanny pay/"benefits"

[Anonymous]

If you want a long term nannies then you have to pay most of the holidays, 2 week vacation and guarantee pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want a long term nannies then you have to pay most of the holidays, 2 week vacation and guarantee pay.

Exactly. These things are basic for any employee, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want a long term nannies then you have to pay most of the holidays, 2 week vacation and guarantee pay.

Exactly. These things are basic for any employee, OP.

Actually, it isn't basic for any employee. There are lots of people who work in jobs without these benefits. However, most nannies expect them and the market supports this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want a long term nannies then you have to pay most of the holidays, 2 week vacation and guarantee pay.

Exactly. These things are basic for any employee, OP.

Actually, it isn't basic for any employee. There are lots of people who work in jobs without these benefits. However, most nannies expect them and the market supports this.

Like Starbucks and Costco? I doubt it. Once you're full time making coffee at Starbucks, you'll get health insurance and money for PT college classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have been interviewing nannies for our almost 2 year old, and have been quite surprised by the list of "demands," or expectations, we are hearing. One specific issue that has been confusing to us is that nannies who are currently watching two or three children tell us that they are used to getting a certain salary, and want the same amount. It seems a bit unusual to us that a nanny who is only caring for one child should expect the same salary as when caring for multiple children. But we have not had a nanny before, and want to be fair, so we want to make sure we have a better sense of whether we are just off base, or whether some of these demands are, in fact, unreasonable. We would appreciate insights into a number of different issues, including:

1) Is it appropriate for a nanny to demand the same salary for one child as when caring for multiple children?

2) What is the general hourly rate for nannies watching one child?

3) What type of "benefits," if any, should a part-time nanny (30 hours or less) receive? More specifically, is it the norm to request things like paid vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, gas reimbursement, or any other additional compensation above and beyond salary (which everyone seems to be requesting in cash)?

4) What should we expect the nanny to do in addition to caring for our child? For example, we interviewed one nanny and asked if she would make food for the baby. She said she doesn't usually do that, but "supposed" she could. We were a bit surprised that something like this would not be considered a normal part of her daily responsibility.

Thank you in advance for any information you can provide on these issues, or any other general advice regarding what is reasonable and expected in the area, as we continue our search.

OP, it can be really hard to find a good, non-entitled nanny, as you can tell from the responses on this board. Re salary, I think it depends what she was being paid for 2-3 kids--maybe her previous family didn't pay well, who knows. I would focus on what you consider fair for one child. I think an hourly rate of $15-$18, gross, depending on her past experience, is pretty standard. In general for part-time the rate is a little bit higher as it can be more difficult to find someone.

We had a nanny for 32 hours a week for quite some time and did offer paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave. We have never offered gas reimbursement for the nanny's travel to and from the job (on the job she uses our car). We also give an annual bonus that's about one-week's salary. If I were you I would try not to scale back much in terms of benefits since it's 30 hours. You really don't want your new nanny to feel that you are nickel and diming.

Re additional tasks, if you are finding a nanny to be reluctant to make food for the baby off the bat that is a red flag. Most nannies should agreeably handle all baby-related tasks including tidying toys, baby laundry, food, etc. Our nannies have also always had no problem running occasional errands like popping out to the grocery store or post office. That said, I have found that with time every nanny we've had over 8 years has slacked off and done less and less, so you really want to make sure you start with someone who is enthusiastic about this and on the same page as you.

Also I know you didn't ask about this, but check references very, very carefully. Over the years we have had two nannies who faked references, and one was someone we almost hired before realizing this. It's an unregulated industry and while there are gems out there, you need to screen attentively to find them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want a long term nannies then you have to pay most of the holidays, 2 week vacation and guarantee pay.

Exactly. These things are basic for any employee, OP.

Actually, it isn't basic for any employee. There are lots of people who work in jobs without these benefits. However, most nannies expect them and the market supports this.

We are not taking about any job . I don't think most parents wants nannies every other month...if you want part-time nanny and don't offer guaranteed pay, then I don't think most nannies with stay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have been interviewing nannies for our almost 2 year old, and have been quite surprised by the list of "demands," or expectations, we are hearing. One specific issue that has been confusing to us is that nannies who are currently watching two or three children tell us that they are used to getting a certain salary, and want the same amount. It seems a bit unusual to us that a nanny who is only caring for one child should expect the same salary as when caring for multiple children. But we have not had a nanny before, and want to be fair, so we want to make sure we have a better sense of whether we are just off base, or whether some of these demands are, in fact, unreasonable. We would appreciate insights into a number of different issues, including:

1) Is it appropriate for a nanny to demand the same salary for one child as when caring for multiple children?

2) What is the general hourly rate for nannies watching one child?

3) What type of "benefits," if any, should a part-time nanny (30 hours or less) receive? More specifically, is it the norm to request things like paid vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, gas reimbursement, or any other additional compensation above and beyond salary (which everyone seems to be requesting in cash)?

4) What should we expect the nanny to do in addition to caring for our child? For example, we interviewed one nanny and asked if she would make food for the baby. She said she doesn't usually do that, but "supposed" she could. We were a bit surprised that something like this would not be considered a normal part of her daily responsibility.

Thank you in advance for any information you can provide on these issues, or any other general advice regarding what is reasonable and expected in the area, as we continue our search.

OP, it can be really hard to find a good, non-entitled nanny, as you can tell from the responses on this board. Re salary, I think it depends what she was being paid for 2-3 kids--maybe her previous family didn't pay well, who knows. I would focus on what you consider fair for one child. I think an hourly rate of $15-$18, gross, depending on her past experience, is pretty standard. In general for part-time the rate is a little bit higher as it can be more difficult to find someone.

We had a nanny for 32 hours a week for quite some time and did offer paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave. We have never offered gas reimbursement for the nanny's travel to and from the job (on the job she uses our car). We also give an annual bonus that's about one-week's salary. If I were you I would try not to scale back much in terms of benefits since it's 30 hours. You really don't want your new nanny to feel that you are nickel and diming.

Re additional tasks, if you are finding a nanny to be reluctant to make food for the baby off the bat that is a red flag. Most nannies should agreeably handle all baby-related tasks including tidying toys, baby laundry, food, etc. Our nannies have also always had no problem running occasional errands like popping out to the grocery store or post office. That said, I have found that with time every nanny we've had over 8 years has slacked off and done less and less, so you really want to make sure you start with someone who is enthusiastic about this and on the same page as you.

Also I know you didn't ask about this, but check references very, very carefully. Over the years we have had two nannies who faked references, and one was someone we almost hired before realizing this. It's an unregulated industry and while there are gems out there, you need to screen attentively to find them.

I have been a nanny for ten years and I do not slack off or lack enthusiasm. How many nannies have you had? It seems that the norm is 1-3.

OP, it's pretty simple, you can pay and offer whatever benefits that you want. If you feel like someone's trying to "get one over on you", don't hire them. Personally, I have a minimum salary that I feel my time is worth, whether you have one or four kids and if I price myself out of the market I simply won't get hired. At the same time, I cannot afford to live off $15/hr and no guarantee that I will receive four paychecks in any given month. So personally, I would charge more per hour for a 30 hr/wk job. I would require vacation, sick, and mutually agreed upon holiday pay. I would prefer to use a family vehicle (and wouldn't accept a job if I wasn't allowed to go beyond the neighborhood park), but would be open to using mine with proper reimbursement. I also look to find families that I can grow with and build a deep relationship with the children. This consistency has been very rewarding for the kids in nanny care. You can also hire a college student for less, but will likely go through several nannies, as PP has. Also, I only accept nanny positions on the books. All adults have to have verifiable income to establish any line of credit. I guess if the nanny's husband was the main provider it may suit her to be off the books, but it can get you into trouble.

[Anonymous]

It totally varies. Some nannies don't care about mileage reimbursement, some don't care about sick days or more than 1 week vacation or guaranteed hours and just wants a higher hourly rate. I interviewed about 10 people and a lot varied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It totally varies. Some nannies don't care about mileage reimbursement, some don't care about sick days or more than 1 week vacation or guaranteed hours and just wants a higher hourly rate. I interviewed about 10 people and a lot varied.

True. Each human being is unique. Even nannies!