nanny costs

[cherinnea]

hello,

We are currently in a nanny share with another couple who has a 19 month old. Our daughter is 20 months and so far we have been very pleased with the arrangement. I am expecting another daughter this spring and we would like the nany to care for all three choldren.

We currently pay our nanny $20 an hour before taxes and wondering what the average hourly rate should be for 3 children. Should the other couple pay less?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

WHOA!!! Your paying way too much!

[Anonymous]

You're paying at the top of the range, but if you're very pleased with the arrangement there's nothing wrong with making sure your nanny is pleased as well. Consider adding a couple of new perks for the nanny (more vacation, a new baby bonus, etc.) and just adust each family's contribution.

[Anonymous]

Yes, of course the other family needs to pay less. They need to pay less than you and also less than they pay now - otherwise, what is the incentive for them to stay in a share where their kid now has less of the nanny's time?

I think $22 is a reasonable bump up since she is already at a really high rate. $23 would not be unreasonable either if she counters and asks for that. You would need to eat the increase though and also pick up some of the other family's current cost so that it's maybe a 60/40 split - something more than 50/50 but less than 1/3 / 2/3.