Current Nanny Rates (DC - Single Child)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I realize there are other threads but they don't seem current or applicable for our situation.

We are looking to hire a nanny when I return to work.

Situation:
Single child
Will be 4 months
Will offer 2 weeks paid vacation (one with us one her choice), sick leave per DC law
All taxes, workers comp above board.
Anticipate 40 hrs + 5-10 or more OT
May do some traveling and will pay for all expenses

We are well educated, pretty easy going parents and live in a nice home and neighborhood close to parks, restaurants etc.

We have talked to a few and most are in the 18-20 dollars per hour range which seems like where most of our friends that have nannies are. We have also talked to one we like who was in the 25+ range which seems excessive (although I'm sure some get it).

My sense was 20/hr or maybe a couple dollars more.

I've talked to some friends and they are of two minds. (1) you can absolutely find someone good for less; (2) better to overpay so she doesn't leave you for another job.

I know some people were talking about 25+ for a nanny share or 2 kids but that's not our situation. Also see study below (only have 2017 data)

https://nanny.org/production/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017-INA-Nanny-Salary-Benefits-Survey-FINAL.pdf

Our job is basically the same as yours OP except we give both weeks of vacation as her choice and guarantee 10 hour OT per week. We pay $20. We found good candidates at $20. We also found one we really liked at $24, but she was trying to match what she’d made caring for two kids. That was too steep for us for one baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would do 17$/hr to start, and a raise to 18$/hr after 6 months. You're offering enough overtime that this should be a good salary. And a single baby is a pretty easy gig. They nap a lot.

Lol!

A healthy newborn is the easiest nanny gig there is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would do 17$/hr to start, and a raise to 18$/hr after 6 months. You're offering enough overtime that this should be a good salary. And a single baby is a pretty easy gig. They nap a lot.

Lol!

A healthy newborn is the easiest nanny gig there is.

Speak for yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would do 17$/hr to start, and a raise to 18$/hr after 6 months. You're offering enough overtime that this should be a good salary. And a single baby is a pretty easy gig. They nap a lot.

Lol!

A healthy newborn is the easiest nanny gig there is.

I disagree. It is the hardest when done right (engaging the baby, talking to her/him, reading, singing, tummy time, etc) and certainly the loneliness especially in winter. A talking toddler is the easiest!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would do 17$/hr to start, and a raise to 18$/hr after 6 months. You're offering enough overtime that this should be a good salary. And a single baby is a pretty easy gig. They nap a lot.

Lol!

A healthy newborn is the easiest nanny gig there is.

I disagree. It is the hardest when done right (engaging the baby, talking to her/him, reading, singing, tummy time, etc) and certainly the loneliness especially in winter. A talking toddler is the easiest!

It’s easy for some, hard for others. I won’t do infants unless there’s an older child, and my minimum age is 6 months, because I know I can’t handle the endless monotony until the baby is old enough to have a decent amount of time awake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would do 17$/hr to start, and a raise to 18$/hr after 6 months. You're offering enough overtime that this should be a good salary. And a single baby is a pretty easy gig. They nap a lot.

Lol!

A healthy newborn is the easiest nanny gig there is.

I disagree. It is the hardest when done right (engaging the baby, talking to her/him, reading, singing, tummy time, etc) and certainly the loneliness especially in winter. A talking toddler is the easiest!

Please, woman. How long is a newborn baby awake for you to engage him or her? Do fifteen minutes of "i'm a little teapot" tire you out so?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would do 17$/hr to start, and a raise to 18$/hr after 6 months. You're offering enough overtime that this should be a good salary. And a single baby is a pretty easy gig. They nap a lot.

Lol!

A healthy newborn is the easiest nanny gig there is.

Speak for yourself.

I AM speaking for myself, I've three of those. Feed, change, a few poems or songs, tickle tummy, a few minutes on the tummy and they are ready for a nap that's two hours minimum. Your active time vs. downtime ratio is like 1:5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would do 17$/hr to start, and a raise to 18$/hr after 6 months. You're offering enough overtime that this should be a good salary. And a single baby is a pretty easy gig. They nap a lot.

Lol!

A healthy newborn is the easiest nanny gig there is.

Speak for yourself.

I AM speaking for myself, I've three of those. Feed, change, a few poems or songs, tickle tummy, a few minutes on the tummy and they are ready for a nap that's two hours minimum. Your active time vs. downtime ratio is like 1:5.

Apparently you've never had a reflux baby with your limited experience.

[Anonymous]

Apparently you missed the healthy part in the healthy newborn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apparently you missed the healthy part in the healthy newborn.

No nanny can guarantee a child will remain healthy. Most infant nannies are hired prior to birth or shortly after; colic, reflux and sleep issues may not be apparent. And nannies don't set "healthy child" and "unhealthy child" rates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apparently you missed the healthy part in the healthy newborn.

No nanny can guarantee a child will remain healthy. Most infant nannies are hired prior to birth or shortly after; colic, reflux and sleep issues may not be apparent. And nannies don't set "healthy child" and "unhealthy child" rates.

Most people I know hire infant nannies shortly before maternity leave runs out. Haven't heard of anyone hiring a nanny before the child is born - why would you commit to employing someone before live birth?

Nothing you said contradicts my statement that taking care of a healthy newborn is very easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apparently you missed the healthy part in the healthy newborn.

No nanny can guarantee a child will remain healthy. Most infant nannies are hired prior to birth or shortly after; colic, reflux and sleep issues may not be apparent. And nannies don't set "healthy child" and "unhealthy child" rates.

Most people I know hire infant nannies shortly before maternity leave runs out. Haven't heard of anyone hiring a nanny before the child is born - why would you commit to employing someone before live birth?

Nothing you said contradicts my statement that taking care of a healthy newborn is very easy.

Again, your experience is extremely limited. I was not only hired before the baby's birth, but was hired to *start* one week before the baby's birth. The parents wanted me to have lots of time to get settled in their home, and set things up in the nursery.

And, if taking care of a baby was so easy, there wouldn't be so many problems out there with good infant care. Also, parents typically pay a premium for newborn care. Seems like you have a lot of learning ahead of you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Apparently you missed the healthy part in the healthy newborn.

No nanny can guarantee a child will remain healthy. Most infant nannies are hired prior to birth or shortly after; colic, reflux and sleep issues may not be apparent. And nannies don't set "healthy child" and "unhealthy child" rates.

Most people I know hire infant nannies shortly before maternity leave runs out. Haven't heard of anyone hiring a nanny before the child is born - why would you commit to employing someone before live birth?

Nothing you said contradicts my statement that taking care of a healthy newborn is very easy.

Again, your experience is extremely limited. I was not only hired before the baby's birth, but was hired to *start* one week before the baby's birth. The parents wanted me to have lots of time to get settled in their home, and set things up in the nursery.

And, if taking care of a baby was so easy, there wouldn't be so many problems out there with good infant care. Also, parents typically pay a premium for newborn care. Seems like you have a lot of learning ahead of you.

OK go have a poll here when infant nannies are usually hired.

Infant care problems out there are not because of difficulty, they are because of negligent caregivers. Taking care of babies is very easy if they are healthy.

Parents pay a premium for newborn care because they are humbled by their fragility. I don't need to learn about this. I've had three healthy newborns, thank god, and my maternity leave was the easiest time in the world with plentiful rest all three times. Maybe you've only worked with vulnerable infants or babies with problems, or hands-off parents.

[Anonymous]

Speak for yourself, 16:41.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Speak for yourself, 16:41.

Aren’t we all?

Ok. You tell me. What part of taking care of a healthy newborn do you find difficult? Really, I want to know.