Offered a f/t nanny position for summer, what to ask for?

[Anonymous]

I'm a full-time student with 5+ years of on and off experience in childcare in a private and afterschool program setting. My degree (75% completed) is in child and youth care with a specialization on early years. I have first aid, non-violent crisis intervention training, practicum experience in child protection, and years of experience in a recreational setting working with kids.

I don't want to sound like i'm tooting my own horn, but I'm wondering if what i'm advertising myself as comes across as "over qualified". I've had hourly wage nanny positions offering between $10-12/hr and my last professional positions in research and internships paid between $17-23. The reason I'm looking for summer nanny work is because i'm in an awkward limbo between professional and student. Most non-student jobs want a full degree whereas the summer internships are competitive and I need a backup plan that's related to my degree (i.e - childcare).

So, balancing my qualifications, experience and market rate, what should I reasonably expect for f/t summer nanny work?

[Anonymous]

Where?

[Anonymous]

Unless you're in a super-depressed geographical area, btwn 18-25/hr.

[Anonymous]

I'm just outside of Baltimore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you're in a super-depressed geographical area, btwn 18-25/hr.

Hahahahaha maybe if there are 3+ kids involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you're in a super-depressed geographical area, btwn 18-25/hr.

I agree. Don't let anyone here talk you down - you sound like the type of nanny who can command this level of compensation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless you're in a super-depressed geographical area, btwn 18-25/hr.

I agree. Don't let anyone here talk you down - you sound like the type of nanny who can command this level of compensation.

I should follow this up with, "but if you're finding that you aren't getting offers in this range, you'll know you'll have to charge less" just so all the crazy people here know that I understand how "the market" works. Also because it's true, but I assume that goes without saying everywhere but DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless you're in a super-depressed geographical area, btwn 18-25/hr.

I agree. Don't let anyone here talk you down - you sound like the type of nanny who can command this level of compensation.

I should follow this up with, "but if you're finding that you aren't getting offers in this range, you'll know you'll have to charge less" just so all the crazy people here know that I understand how "the market" works. Also because it's true, but I assume that goes without saying everywhere but DCUM.

I agree. In a perfect world I would be able to command $18-25/hr for nanny but that wage is comparable to entry level positions in my field. I am incredibly passionate about childcare but I don't see child protection and nannying on the same level of accountability, education, or scope of practice. I don't want to downplay the nanny profession because I understand the importance of a qualified and competent caregiver. However, I am interested what kind of realistic wage expectation I should negotiate for a nanny position.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless you're in a super-depressed geographical area, btwn 18-25/hr.

I agree. Don't let anyone here talk you down - you sound like the type of nanny who can command this level of compensation.

I should follow this up with, "but if you're finding that you aren't getting offers in this range, you'll know you'll have to charge less" just so all the crazy people here know that I understand how "the market" works. Also because it's true, but I assume that goes without saying everywhere but DCUM.

I agree. In a perfect world I would be able to command $18-25/hr for nanny but that wage is comparable to entry level positions in my field. I am incredibly passionate about childcare but I don't see child protection and nannying on the same level of accountability, education, or scope of practice. I don't want to downplay the nanny profession because I understand the importance of a qualified and competent caregiver. However, I am interested what kind of realistic wage expectation I should negotiate for a nanny position.

I make within this range, so I consider it realistic. I do not live near Baltimore, however.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am incredibly passionate about childcare but I don't see child protection and nannying on the same level of accountability, education, or scope of practice. I don't want to downplay the nanny profession because I understand the importance of a qualified and competent caregiver. However, I am interested what kind of realistic wage expectation I should negotiate for a nanny position.

It doesn't really matter how you "see" nannying (or "child protection"? what?), the fact is parents will pay more for someone with your qualifications. They place a high value on your experience and education and compensate accordingly. Most people who need a summer nanny will be people with school-aged children, typically 2-3, so $18-$25/hr is very realistic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am incredibly passionate about childcare but I don't see child protection and nannying on the same level of accountability, education, or scope of practice. I don't want to downplay the nanny profession because I understand the importance of a qualified and competent caregiver. However, I am interested what kind of realistic wage expectation I should negotiate for a nanny position.

It doesn't really matter how you "see" nannying (or "child protection"? what?), the fact is parents will pay more for someone with your qualifications. They place a high value on your experience and education and compensate accordingly. Most people who need a summer nanny will be people with school-aged children, typically 2-3, so $18-$25/hr is very realistic.

I think you may have misunderstood what I was trying to say. Nonetheless, I appreciate your clarification on the higher wage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you're in a super-depressed geographical area, btwn 18-25/hr.

WHAT? Will you stop inflating these answers. OP will look like a crazy dreamer if she walked into a interview asking for $25/hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless you're in a super-depressed geographical area, btwn 18-25/hr.

I agree. Don't let anyone here talk you down - you sound like the type of nanny who can command this level of compensation.

I should follow this up with, "but if you're finding that you aren't getting offers in this range, you'll know you'll have to charge less" just so all the crazy people here know that I understand how "the market" works. Also because it's true, but I assume that goes without saying everywhere but DCUM.

I agree. In a perfect world I would be able to command $18-25/hr for nanny but that wage is comparable to entry level positions in my field. I am incredibly passionate about childcare but I don't see child protection and nannying on the same level of accountability, education, or scope of practice. I don't want to downplay the nanny profession because I understand the importance of a qualified and competent caregiver. However, I am interested what kind of realistic wage expectation I should negotiate for a nanny position.

I make within this range, so I consider it realistic. I do not live near Baltimore, however.

I don't believe you. Where I live, the market rate is higher for nannying then other States and even I wouldn't walk in and ask for $25/hour. I had a feeling someone was going to pretend they make that much because there is always that person who lies to try and back up their inflated claim.

OP, where do you live? So I can give you a REAL rate. You have good qualifications so the area is everything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless you're in a super-depressed geographical area, btwn 18-25/hr.

I agree. Don't let anyone here talk you down - you sound like the type of nanny who can command this level of compensation.

I should follow this up with, "but if you're finding that you aren't getting offers in this range, you'll know you'll have to charge less" just so all the crazy people here know that I understand how "the market" works. Also because it's true, but I assume that goes without saying everywhere but DCUM.

I agree. In a perfect world I would be able to command $18-25/hr for nanny but that wage is comparable to entry level positions in my field. I am incredibly passionate about childcare but I don't see child protection and nannying on the same level of accountability, education, or scope of practice. I don't want to downplay the nanny profession because I understand the importance of a qualified and competent caregiver. However, I am interested what kind of realistic wage expectation I should negotiate for a nanny position.

I make within this range, so I consider it realistic. I do not live near Baltimore, however.

I don't believe you. Where I live, the market rate is higher for nannying then other States and even I wouldn't walk in and ask for $25/hour. I had a feeling someone was going to pretend they make that much because there is always that person who lies to try and back up their inflated claim.

OP, where do you live? So I can give you a REAL rate. You have good qualifications so the area is everything.

Where are you located PP? In my area, where there is a higher rate as well, people with no ECE credits or other degrees etc, and just a couple years of experience as a FT nanny can be making $18/hr for just one child. For 2-3 school age kids for FT summer hours, you can find something for $22-25 and with the OP's experience/education, $25 would not be out of the question at all. I don't think it would be the same for the Baltimore area, but since you were trying to make it seem like any area even with a higher market rate wouldn't get you a position for that rate, I have to say you are wrong. I live in San Francisco, and every single nanny agency around here posts ads that are for between $18-25/hr, you won't find an agency posting with a rate less than that. Even the cheaper positions for one child tend to be $15-17/hr, though we do get some cheapskates around here as well that try to get someone for a measly $10 (which is actually below our minimum wage which just moved up to $10.55/hr) to $12/hr.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unless you're in a super-depressed geographical area, btwn 18-25/hr.

WHAT? Will you stop inflating these answers. OP will look like a crazy dreamer if she walked into a interview asking for $25/hour.

Friendly forum nazi.... Again.
You are the one who is on a rampage to deflate nanny wages.
I am going to tell YOU about the market, FFN:
Some nannies are worth minimum wage, and get that.
Some are worth 10-17/hr, and get that.

Now listen up....
Some of us are worth 18-25 (and more),
and get that.

Get it?

Enough with your nonsense.