How to handle hourly pay when child is at school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quick crowdsourcing question:

New nanny is starting this week, I have one 7 yo DD, easy kid. On days I work nanny would drop child off and pick child up, then be home with her for an hour or two until I get home. During day I consider her to be "on" as I have a job I can't leave save a dire emergency. I don't expect her to clean beyond tidying up, so my daughter's school time is nanny's to do with as she wishes. It's been suggested that I adjust the hourly pay rate while my DD is at school, but I feel that'll be complicated and not appropriate, as she needs to be avail via her cell. I'd like to pay the same hourly rate regardless ($20/hr). Thanks for thoughts.

Let me ask a really obvious question since no one else seems to get to it: why are you hiring a nanny for a child who is clearly aging out of nannycare age? Yes some families do keep on nannies when children start school, but these are typically nannies who have been with these families since infancy, they didn't start when the child is 7. What do you need the nanny for?

I am not sure I understand the argument for keeping the nanny on during school day "for availability." Availability for what exactly? Is your daughter sick that much?

If I was in your shoes, I would hire a housekeeper/nanny rather than a classic nanny. Childcare would occupy only an hour or two of your nanny's day, and it seems to me that you would be helped much more by someone who cleans, cooks and makes the household run in your absence and while your child is at school. Then you would come home to a clean house, done laundry, dinner on the stove and a rested child, and you won't ask yourself what is it that you've paid $20/hr for.

[Anonymous]

And to add: no, you can't adjust the rate for the nanny you've just hired without bad blood. And there's no way in hell I would pay $20/hr for a full day and tell the nanny "this time is yours to do as you wish." That's just...bad financial management.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Quick crowdsourcing question:

New nanny is starting this week, I have one 7 yo DD, easy kid. On days I work nanny would drop child off and pick child up, then be home with her for an hour or two until I get home. During day I consider her to be "on" as I have a job I can't leave save a dire emergency. I don't expect her to clean beyond tidying up, so my daughter's school time is nanny's to do with as she wishes. It's been suggested that I adjust the hourly pay rate while my DD is at school, but I feel that'll be complicated and not appropriate, as she needs to be avail via her cell. I'd like to pay the same hourly rate regardless ($20/hr). Thanks for thoughts.

Let me ask a really obvious question since no one else seems to get to it: why are you hiring a nanny for a child who is clearly aging out of nannycare age? Yes some families do keep on nannies when children start school, but these are typically nannies who have been with these families since infancy, they didn't start when the child is 7. What do you need the nanny for?

I am not sure I understand the argument for keeping the nanny on during school day "for availability." Availability for what exactly? Is your daughter sick that much?

If I was in your shoes, I would hire a housekeeper/nanny rather than a classic nanny. Childcare would occupy only an hour or two of your nanny's day, and it seems to me that you would be helped much more by someone who cleans, cooks and makes the household run in your absence and while your child is at school. Then you would come home to a clean house, done laundry, dinner on the stove and a rested child, and you won't ask yourself what is it that you've paid $20/hr for.

I’m a teacher-type-nanny and I actually agree. A housekeeper-type-nanny (basically a housekeeper who babysits) sounds like a better fit in your situation. Whether or not you can find that for $20 an hour is another issues but certainly it’s a better all round fit.

And I assume availability is for the seemingly countless school holidays as well as sick days and emergencies. But a housekeeper would be able to do that as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I’m a teacher-type-nanny and I actually agree. A housekeeper-type-nanny (basically a housekeeper who babysits) sounds like a better fit in your situation. Whether or not you can find that for $20 an hour is another issues but certainly it’s a better all round fit.

And I assume availability is for the seemingly countless school holidays as well as sick days and emergencies. But a housekeeper would be able to do that as well.

I get that but I have three school age kids and I simply haven't found these to be all that frequent. They are in any case known far in advance and you can certainly line up care for these ahead of time and much cheaper than a $20/hr gull-time nanny would be. Plus at age 7+ they begin to want the camp experience rather than staying home with nanny; if not at 7, then not much thereafter.

[Anonymous]

you need a housekeeper who can watch the kids for a few hours.

[Anonymous]

House manager or family assistant. Your child is old enough to not want a nanny soon, but if you phrase it as one of those, when someone at school starts teasing, it’s nbd to explain. They can handle bills, parties, clothes, scheduling and supervision of contractors and other domestic help (including housekeeping), maintenance on the car, etc.

If you are really not reachable at all while at work, I’d suggest leaving written authorization with school, doctor and hospital for her to start emergency care.

[Anonymous]

What you can’t do now is change the role. You hired a nanny so don’t start piling on housekeeping. Job creep is a great way to lose your new nanny. Next time think about what you actually want before you hire someone!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What you can’t do now is change the role. You hired a nanny so don’t start piling on housekeeping. Job creep is a great way to lose your new nanny. Next time think about what you actually want before you hire someone!

Agree with this. However You’re entitled to change your mind and that may mean finding a new person during your trial.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quick crowdsourcing question:

New nanny is starting this week, I have one 7 yo DD, easy kid. On days I work nanny would drop child off and pick child up, then be home with her for an hour or two until I get home. During day I consider her to be "on" as I have a job I can't leave save a dire emergency. I don't expect her to clean beyond tidying up, so my daughter's school time is nanny's to do with as she wishes. It's been suggested that I adjust the hourly pay rate while my DD is at school, but I feel that'll be complicated and not appropriate, as she needs to be avail via her cell. I'd like to pay the same hourly rate regardless ($20/hr). Thanks for thoughts.

Does your boss adjust your pay in slow times? You are crazy.

[Anonymous]

Seems really adequate and like you’d be able to get your choice of applicants!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Quick crowdsourcing question:

New nanny is starting this week, I have one 7 yo DD, easy kid. On days I work nanny would drop child off and pick child up, then be home with her for an hour or two until I get home. During day I consider her to be "on" as I have a job I can't leave save a dire emergency. I don't expect her to clean beyond tidying up, so my daughter's school time is nanny's to do with as she wishes. It's been suggested that I adjust the hourly pay rate while my DD is at school, but I feel that'll be complicated and not appropriate, as she needs to be avail via her cell. I'd like to pay the same hourly rate regardless ($20/hr). Thanks for thoughts.

Does your boss adjust your pay in slow times? You are crazy.

There is nothing but slow times in this job.

[Anonymous]

To the poster who doesn’t understand. You pay for her availability in an emergency, on sick days, school holidays & breaks, as well as summer. Trying to piecemeal that all together is hard. If you can afford it, a nanny is a solid option.

OP, it may be a little late to discuss with this nanny, or she may ask for more money, but most nannies tend to household tasks during school hours: meal prep, craft prep, car maintenance, kid’s laundry, grocery shopping, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the poster who doesn’t understand. You pay for her availability in an emergency, on sick days, school holidays & breaks, as well as summer. Trying to piecemeal that all together is hard. If you can afford it, a nanny is a solid option.

OP, it may be a little late to discuss with this nanny, or she may ask for more money, but most nannies tend to household tasks during school hours: meal prep, craft prep, car maintenance, kid’s laundry, grocery shopping, etc.

I am the poster with three kids and I really haven't found emergencies, sick days or school holidays to be hard to manage. They are typically known far ahead of time. And while they take some money to manage, it definitely doesn't take an annual salary of a full-time nanny. On school breaks, especially summertime, most kids want to be in camp, not with nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:you need a housekeeper who can watch the kids for a few hours.

Any housekeeper CAN watch children but WILL they agree to do so without extra money?

[Anonymous]

Pay her what you told her she would make. IF she is " ON" that would be she couldn't get another job while kids are at school and that is unfair of you if you lowered her pay. Just not right. Use your brain and pay her what she is owed.