What qualities are you willing to pay more for when it comes to childcare?

[Anonymous]

Op I would pay more for experience and reliability. Someone having the means to go to college and earn a degree doesnt mean they will be great at childcare imo. I realize others like to pay for that but youre asking for individual opinions.
Now if I needed my kid tutored that might be different. I need my kid to feel loved and taken care of, I want her taken to the park and on playdates. I want her to be read to and played games with. Thats about it.

[Anonymous]

OP here - Thanks for your responses! Just wanted to get a sense of why some rates are higher and what might be worth paying more for. Thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I pay above market to ensure my nanny that is very flexible on schedule (always willing and able to stay late or come early) and pitches in a huge amount around the house without being asked stays very happy. She makes our lives so much easier than a typical nanny would

Ha ha! What is a “typical nanny” in your little world?

Not sure why you're being nasty. Most nannies have families or other life commitments to get to after work which is totally normal and understandable but makes it worth it to me to pay more to keep my nanny who is extremely accommodating on schedule. Similarly, my nanny spends all of nap time finding helpful things to do around our house without being asked - emptying bathroom trashcans, folding non-child laundry, cleaning out the fridge (yep - i came home the other day and she'd done that on her own), I totally get why many nannies want to keep their scope related to childcare and child-related chores and am therefore willing to pay her more for going so above and beyond what you'd generally expect of someone in the role. Like any job, your pay increases if you add more value to your employer than an average person in the role. She goes above and beyond to make our lives vey easy so we compensate her accordingly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I pay above market to ensure my nanny that is very flexible on schedule (always willing and able to stay late or come early) and pitches in a huge amount around the house without being asked stays very happy. She makes our lives so much easier than a typical nanny would

Ha ha! What is a “typical nanny” in your little world?

Not sure why you're being nasty. Most nannies have families or other life commitments to get to after work which is totally normal and understandable but makes it worth it to me to pay more to keep my nanny who is extremely accommodating on schedule. Similarly, my nanny spends all of nap time finding helpful things to do around our house without being asked - emptying bathroom trashcans, folding non-child laundry, cleaning out the fridge (yep - i came home the other day and she'd done that on her own), I totally get why many nannies want to keep their scope related to childcare and child-related chores and am therefore willing to pay her more for going so above and beyond what you'd generally expect of someone in the role. Like any job, your pay increases if you add more value to your employer than an average person in the role. She goes above and beyond to make our lives vey easy so we compensate her accordingly.

+1 Something for the "I don't empty dishwashers" nannies to consider. Different strokes for different folks, but "value added" should be noted and rewarded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I pay above market to ensure my nanny that is very flexible on schedule (always willing and able to stay late or come early) and pitches in a huge amount around the house without being asked stays very happy. She makes our lives so much easier than a typical nanny would

Ha ha! What is a “typical nanny” in your little world?

Not sure why you're being nasty. Most nannies have families or other life commitments to get to after work which is totally normal and understandable but makes it worth it to me to pay more to keep my nanny who is extremely accommodating on schedule. Similarly, my nanny spends all of nap time finding helpful things to do around our house without being asked - emptying bathroom trashcans, folding non-child laundry, cleaning out the fridge (yep - i came home the other day and she'd done that on her own), I totally get why many nannies want to keep their scope related to childcare and child-related chores and am therefore willing to pay her more for going so above and beyond what you'd generally expect of someone in the role. Like any job, your pay increases if you add more value to your employer than an average person in the role. She goes above and beyond to make our lives vey easy so we compensate her accordingly.

+1 Something for the "I don't empty dishwashers" nannies to consider. Different strokes for different folks, but "value added" should be noted and rewarded.

Reading this makes me so thankful I have employers who value their children enough to know that taking care of their children is enough value to pay me well. I don’t have to bend over backwards as a maid/nanny to show I have value bc they see it in how I take care of their children. But like you said so eloquently, “different strokes for different folks.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I pay above market to ensure my nanny that is very flexible on schedule (always willing and able to stay late or come early) and pitches in a huge amount around the house without being asked stays very happy. She makes our lives so much easier than a typical nanny would

Ha ha! What is a “typical nanny” in your little world?

Not sure why you're being nasty. Most nannies have families or other life commitments to get to after work which is totally normal and understandable but makes it worth it to me to pay more to keep my nanny who is extremely accommodating on schedule. Similarly, my nanny spends all of nap time finding helpful things to do around our house without being asked - emptying bathroom trashcans, folding non-child laundry, cleaning out the fridge (yep - i came home the other day and she'd done that on her own), I totally get why many nannies want to keep their scope related to childcare and child-related chores and am therefore willing to pay her more for going so above and beyond what you'd generally expect of someone in the role. Like any job, your pay increases if you add more value to your employer than an average person in the role. She goes above and beyond to make our lives vey easy so we compensate her accordingly.

+1 Something for the "I don't empty dishwashers" nannies to consider. Different strokes for different folks, but "value added" should be noted and rewarded.

Reading this makes me so thankful I have employers who value their children enough to know that taking care of their children is enough value to pay me well. I don’t have to bend over backwards as a maid/nanny to show I have value bc they see it in how I take care of their children. But like you said so eloquently, “different strokes for different folks.”

+1. Some seem to find value in a nanny/housekeeper rather than a nanny/teacher. That’s fine if that is what the nanny and employer agreed to. I specifically hired a nanny to keep my children engaged and active. We already have a housekeeper. I would personally feel so embarrassed if my children’s nanny took rotting food out of our refrigerator or had to fold my underwear.

[Anonymous]

Another vote here for education and teaching experience.

-poster from right above

[Anonymous]

Does raising my own children (ages 5,12 now) count as experience? I have looked after my friend's child and I was an Au Pair many years ago.
I'd like to work as a part time nanny while my kids are at school. Would anybody hire me?
I do have a college degree. It's not the degree that would make me a better nanny or even a worker, but I matured a lot during college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I pay above market to ensure my nanny that is very flexible on schedule (always willing and able to stay late or come early) and pitches in a huge amount around the house without being asked stays very happy. She makes our lives so much easier than a typical nanny would

Ha ha! What is a “typical nanny” in your little world?

Not sure why you're being nasty. Most nannies have families or other life commitments to get to after work which is totally normal and understandable but makes it worth it to me to pay more to keep my nanny who is extremely accommodating on schedule. Similarly, my nanny spends all of nap time finding helpful things to do around our house without being asked - emptying bathroom trashcans, folding non-child laundry, cleaning out the fridge (yep - i came home the other day and she'd done that on her own), I totally get why many nannies want to keep their scope related to childcare and child-related chores and am therefore willing to pay her more for going so above and beyond what you'd generally expect of someone in the role. Like any job, your pay increases if you add more value to your employer than an average person in the role. She goes above and beyond to make our lives vey easy so we compensate her accordingly.

+1 Something for the "I don't empty dishwashers" nannies to consider. Different strokes for different folks, but "value added" should be noted and rewarded.

Reading this makes me so thankful I have employers who value their children enough to know that taking care of their children is enough value to pay me well. I don’t have to bend over backwards as a maid/nanny to show I have value bc they see it in how I take care of their children. But like you said so eloquently, “different strokes for different folks.”

+1. Some seem to find value in a nanny/housekeeper rather than a nanny/teacher. That’s fine if that is what the nanny and employer agreed to. I specifically hired a nanny to keep my children engaged and active. We already have a housekeeper. I would personally feel so embarrassed if my children’s nanny took rotting food out of our refrigerator or had to fold my underwear.

You're missing the point. The point is that people pay more for things that are more valuable to them, for you thats skills as an educator - great! Pay more for that! For my situation (2 year old who goes to toddler class with nanny in the morning and naps for 3 hours in the afternoon) its for someone who like a loving grandmother towards my child and is happy to use the napping time on other tasks, great! I pay more for that! That's 3 hours of food prep / house work a day I don't have to do so I have more time and energy for my kid. Of course just caring for the child has value, thats the average market rate for a nanny, the OP asked what makes you willing to pay more, and I think we can all agree thats for doing things for the family (whether offering additional education skill or using 3 hours of nap time to help in other ways) is what makes a nanny worth more than a typical nanny and each family has their own priorities on what that is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I pay above market to ensure my nanny that is very flexible on schedule (always willing and able to stay late or come early) and pitches in a huge amount around the house without being asked stays very happy. She makes our lives so much easier than a typical nanny would

Ha ha! What is a “typical nanny” in your little world?

Not sure why you're being nasty. Most nannies have families or other life commitments to get to after work which is totally normal and understandable but makes it worth it to me to pay more to keep my nanny who is extremely accommodating on schedule. Similarly, my nanny spends all of nap time finding helpful things to do around our house without being asked - emptying bathroom trashcans, folding non-child laundry, cleaning out the fridge (yep - i came home the other day and she'd done that on her own), I totally get why many nannies want to keep their scope related to childcare and child-related chores and am therefore willing to pay her more for going so above and beyond what you'd generally expect of someone in the role. Like any job, your pay increases if you add more value to your employer than an average person in the role. She goes above and beyond to make our lives vey easy so we compensate her accordingly.

+1 Something for the "I don't empty dishwashers" nannies to consider. Different strokes for different folks, but "value added" should be noted and rewarded.

Reading this makes me so thankful I have employers who value their children enough to know that taking care of their children is enough value to pay me well. I don’t have to bend over backwards as a maid/nanny to show I have value bc they see it in how I take care of their children. But like you said so eloquently, “different strokes for different folks.”

+1. Some seem to find value in a nanny/housekeeper rather than a nanny/teacher. That’s fine if that is what the nanny and employer agreed to. I specifically hired a nanny to keep my children engaged and active. We already have a housekeeper. I would personally feel so embarrassed if my children’s nanny took rotting food out of our refrigerator or had to fold my underwear.

1. Very, very few nanny employers can afford two full-time employees. Just because some employers cannot, doesn't mean they value their children less. The household that is stretching its budget to hire a full-time nanny definitely values their children and quality child care. There are just not that many über rich households. Nannies will need to compete for these positions, which often involve tradeoffs/sacrifices of their own such as overtime, required travel, working holidays.

2. If you view cleaning and laundry as a personal chore that you would not hire out, that's your decision. But if you would have a housekeeper do it but not a nanny you are just attributing a different status to one employee over another.

3. Some people need nanny/teachers; others need nanny/housekeepers. That's what contracts are for. Obviously, if the nanny covers the household chores that housekeeper would do, the employer might be able to/be motivated to pay her more, which is the relevance to this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I pay above market to ensure my nanny that is very flexible on schedule (always willing and able to stay late or come early) and pitches in a huge amount around the house without being asked stays very happy. She makes our lives so much easier than a typical nanny would

Ha ha! What is a “typical nanny” in your little world?

Not sure why you're being nasty. Most nannies have families or other life commitments to get to after work which is totally normal and understandable but makes it worth it to me to pay more to keep my nanny who is extremely accommodating on schedule. Similarly, my nanny spends all of nap time finding helpful things to do around our house without being asked - emptying bathroom trashcans, folding non-child laundry, cleaning out the fridge (yep - i came home the other day and she'd done that on her own), I totally get why many nannies want to keep their scope related to childcare and child-related chores and am therefore willing to pay her more for going so above and beyond what you'd generally expect of someone in the role. Like any job, your pay increases if you add more value to your employer than an average person in the role. She goes above and beyond to make our lives vey easy so we compensate her accordingly.

+1 Something for the "I don't empty dishwashers" nannies to consider. Different strokes for different folks, but "value added" should be noted and rewarded.

Reading this makes me so thankful I have employers who value their children enough to know that taking care of their children is enough value to pay me well. I don’t have to bend over backwards as a maid/nanny to show I have value bc they see it in how I take care of their children. But like you said so eloquently, “different strokes for different folks.”

+1. Some seem to find value in a nanny/housekeeper rather than a nanny/teacher. That’s fine if that is what the nanny and employer agreed to. I specifically hired a nanny to keep my children engaged and active. We already have a housekeeper. I would personally feel so embarrassed if my children’s nanny took rotting food out of our refrigerator or had to fold my underwear.

You're missing the point. The point is that people pay more for things that are more valuable to them, for you thats skills as an educator - great! Pay more for that! For my situation (2 year old who goes to toddler class with nanny in the morning and naps for 3 hours in the afternoon) its for someone who like a loving grandmother towards my child and is happy to use the napping time on other tasks, great! I pay more for that! That's 3 hours of food prep / house work a day I don't have to do so I have more time and energy for my kid. Of course just caring for the child has value, thats the average market rate for a nanny, the OP asked what makes you willing to pay more, and I think we can all agree thats for doing things for the family (whether offering additional education skill or using 3 hours of nap time to help in other ways) is what makes a nanny worth more than a typical nanny and each family has their own priorities on what that is.

Oh I understood completely what you meant, and I am still very thankful for my families and what they value. I won’t speak for anyone else and no I don’t agree that by bending over backwards makes a nanny worth more than whatever a “typical” nanny is. The additional duties you assign to your nanny outside of childcare should be paid accordingly. If you are going to hire a nanny and expect housecleaning she should be making a very high wage as she is doing two jobs and is no longer a nanny. I don’t know what the market rate is, however, I do know I am paid very well bc of what I bring solely as a nanny. I’m not expecting to make the same as a maid/nanny bc I’m assuming they are making around $35-$40 an hour if not more. Although, it sounds like you don’t pay that high so I might just be making what your nanny/maid does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does raising my own children (ages 5,12 now) count as experience? I have looked after my friend's child and I was an Au Pair many years ago.
I'd like to work as a part time nanny while my kids are at school. Would anybody hire me?
I do have a college degree. It's not the degree that would make me a better nanny or even a worker, but I matured a lot during college.

Yes, raising your own children counts as experience. However, you will also need references who are not family members.

Yes, I think you could get a part-time nanny job. There are always families looking for after school nannies who can drive their kids around to karate / scouts / music lessons, etc. So if you have a vehicle and can drive kids around, I predict you could easily find an after school nanny position.

If you will have your own two kids with you, I suppose you would need a van. And your own kids could only do the same after school activities as the kids from the family that is employing you. Or your own kids do no activities and get tagged along to your employers kids activities. Which might be awkward.

[Anonymous]

I pay more for:

- relevant experience. I had twins, so prior experience w/ twins was critical to me.
- attitude - energy, creativity, joy for the job, etc...
- likelihood of longer tenure in the position - I sought people who had been with families for years

When someone's worked for me a while I give raises and bonuses for ability to problem solve independently and think ahead for what might be needed, reliability, energy/attitude/helpfulness, spirit (someone who clearly really loves our kids and his/her work with them), ability to work and communicate well with me, etc...

Education matters pretty little overall to me. Fluency in at least one language that I speak, and close to fluency in English is important but I value work experience far more than formal education in a nanny. And yes, raising your own kids counts as relevant experience with me. The best nanny we ever had was the one who could think about the whole household, and anyone who has been a mom does that automatically.

[Anonymous]

Love given to our children is the most important to me. because if nannies love their charges they will do all the above.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, it’s education for me, too. A nanny who graduated from college was an immediate up in hourly rate. Of course, she loves our child! But she can also teach her.