Is This Pay Reasonable..

[Anonymous]

I will add that in the TODDLER years we had to drop some of those things like family meal prep since there was one nap a day. Then once morning preschool kicked in and there was that downtime, it was added back. Otherwise, difficult to justify a full-time live-out nanny, particularly once both kids are in school even half days (3 hours * 5 days of doing nothing, no way).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, totally fine to include maintenance of baby's play and sleeping areas, baby's laundry, baby's supplies - especially if you can just order stuff online. Have the nanny alert you when something is running low and you can reorder and she can be there for delivery.

Many nannies will grow into slightly broader responsibilities over time as the child grows.

That is fine, OP. As a nanny, I feel that my job is anything and everything that relates to the child. I would vacuum the play area, do the baby’s laundry and all food prep, cooking and clean up

[Anonymous]

Hire a housekeeper and a nanny separately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hire a housekeeper and a nanny separately.

This is often the best advice if you want a decent nanny. Why would a good nanny want extra housekeeping when other families will offer the same pay rate for exclusive child care and only child related tasks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks. We just moved here ( NoVA area) from Chicago where rates are lower. We will knock off adult laundry, meal prep, and errands. I do want to clarify errands are just for if we run out of diapers/wipes/formula, and don’t have a chance to pick it up. We still would like the nanny to make homemade baby food, and ideally run a vacuum once a week in the play area ( living room area rug), because they will be spending a lot of time there.

This all sounds fine, OP. I think a good way to think about it as anything related to the baby is fair game--so that can certainly include making baby food, cleaning the playroom, noting when you're low on diapers, running baby's laundry, etc. You may luck out and find a nanny who enjoys making family meals too, but I wouldn't ask that as part of the job description. Our older child was in a share where one of the nanny's roles at the host family's home was to make sure they were home on a certain afternoon so that a housecleaner could come, and I think the family and nanny found that worked well.

[Anonymous]

Concentrate on finding a nanny who will engage your baby first. Doing the baby’s laundry, bottles and meals is all you should ask for. As a PP said, anything and everything for the child.

PS. As a former Chicagoan myself, welcome to DC. You are going to miss Chicago more than you can imagine.

[Anonymous]

I say no to vacuuming the carpet, mopping the floor, doing any dishes not utilized during her stay as well as no store runs.

Simply child CARE.
Nothing else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I say no to vacuuming the carpet, mopping the floor, doing any dishes not utilized during her stay as well as no store runs.

Simply child CARE.
Nothing else.

This. The nanny is NOT your housekeeper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MB here.

I think $20/hr is competitive and will get you good options in candidates. I think the scope of work you've outlined has too much general housekeeping responsibility to be practical or attractive. You can, perhaps, hire someone who could grow into much of what you're hoping for but it's too much to start with. And if your true goal is a nanny/housekeeper then you probably don't want a career/professional nanny - you want the kind of person who will stay with a family for a decade and become part of the family. Your best option for finding those people is direct referrals.

So if you're advertising for this position, and if your primary goal is a highly professional/trained nanny - then your housekeeping requirements will make them walk away, regardless of the hourly rate.

But I think you need to take a few of the housekeeping things off the table as it will be a turn-off to many. No family laundry - but baby's laundry (including bedding/towels, etc...) is fine. No to running errands or meal prep for you. Making homemade baby food to some extent, not all of it

This. $20 is fine for a nanny for a 3mo, but not if you include all of the housekeeping, which stronger candidates won't be willing to do. Include baby's laundry, neatening nursery, and food prep for baby once he starts eating. Signing for groceries is fine too. But get a housekeeper to come in once a week for everything else.

This. $20 is fine - don't let these other moms tell you that it needs to be much more competitive. Is this under the table or taxable?

That said, keep the housework stuff out of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I say no to vacuuming the carpet, mopping the floor, doing any dishes not utilized during her stay as well as no store runs.

Simply child CARE.
Nothing else.

so you just do baby and toddler years then, or afterschool care. no prob.

[Anonymous]

Too much housework. A good nanny, though, will take care of the baby's room, baby's laundry, and baby's food. Our nanny also unloads the dishwasher and puts into the oven the dinner I prepped the night before when I text her.

Overall you want to put in boundaries between what the nanny does and what the rest of the family needs. But you also want the kind of person who looks for things to do, not someone who is on the lookout for the things NOT to do.

[Anonymous]

You leave the kitchen, living areas for her day, she leaves them cleaned up and put away for you. It’s that simple

[Anonymous]

Clean!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Clean!

Huh?