Nanny Share with Friends

[Anonymous]

We have had the same nanny for almost 3 years for our DS who is about to turn 4. She is an amazing woman and is excellent with our son as well as all the kids he plays with. He is now in school for half a day and his friend's mom has asked if we would be willing to do a nanny share for a few hours a couple of days a week. Our kids get along very well and I get along very well with the mother, so I don't see any problem from that perspective and our nanny is happy to do it. Plus we don't mind saving a little money given our son is also in school for several hours a day.

Our nanny would pick up both our kids from school two (maybe 3) days a week and she'd have them together for 3-4 hours for those days (take them to the park, zoo, etc). We currently pay our nanny $20/hour for a 40 hour work week. What would be a good hourly rate for those few hours where she has both kids?

[Anonymous]

25-30.

[Anonymous]

What did she say when you asked her?

[Anonymous]

What did the nanny say? She just said she would like to do it. She always tends to be rather shy about naming a price.

[Anonymous]

Will she tell you if she's happy with your proposed price, or just take it (or not)?

[Anonymous]

If I'm correct that she's paid $20/hr for your one child (as I am for my one charge), I'd think $23-26/hr would be right. Depends on the kids, the nanny, and the space she has to do her job in.

[Anonymous]

Thank you! This is very helpful. The other question I had was as far as actual payment, does anyone have any good advice about how best to do this? Should we readjust our total hourly rate to incorporate the hours that are shared (we do this thru a service so they take out taxes, etc) and then the other family pays her directly? Or are there other options? Just trying to make this as simple as possible for us and our nanny. Any recommendation would be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

The other family handles their payments directly with the nanny. I would not get involved with that. If you are going to lower your rate, you and the nanny need to agree on an acceptable rate.

[Anonymous]

Yes you need to determine the new weekly amount and then for the hours you are sharing you split the higher rate. I think 25 is a good since she is keeping her salary constant while your kid is in school each AM.