Difficulty finding a new family to work for

[Anonymous]

Hi all, I have worked with my current family for 3 years, but they will be relocating in 2 months. I am on Care and Sittercity sites and the amount that many families are willing to pay is really low. I also recently joined 2 agencies, but they take a % of what I'd get paid so I don't think I want to go that route. To start, on Sittercity, I have close to 10 reviews (from weekend jobs and this is where I initially met my current employers ) and a background check. I have a bachelors degree, volunteered as a nursery attendant for my church for 2 years, tutored and can provide a fun and structured day with minimal to no tv watching ( I don't even own a tv at home).

A typical day for a toddler would be breakfast and some form of morning activity: playseum, park, story time, art class, museum or karate/gymnastics lesson (if parents are interested). Afternoon would include lunch, nap and play until parents come home. I am okay with doing the kid(s) laundry, dishes and tidying up behind the kid as well. I am very flexible and follow parents style of parenting, but what I listed was just an example, that's all.
Many families love that I can provide this structure, but doesn't seem to pay more than $15 hour and/or have canceled our interview last minute and want to reschedule short notice.

I would love some advice on how to market myself more and possibly more courses to take (Childcare related) or is this normal? I haven't sought full time employment in 3 years. Thank you

[Anonymous]

Are you sure the agency would take a percentage of your pay? That is not usually how it works. Usually the family pays a one-time fee to the agency for their services (which is sometimes a percentage based on your pay, but does not come out of your pay).

[Anonymous]

Where are you currently working?

[Anonymous]

Are you in the DC area? I'm surprised that you're having so much trouble given what you've written. Do you drive? Do you want to be paid legally?

When they want to reschedule with short notice, do you ever agree? Do your profiles have pictures?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi all, I have worked with my current family for 3 years, but they will be relocating in 2 months. I am on Care and Sittercity sites and the amount that many families are willing to pay is really low. I also recently joined 2 agencies, but they take a % of what I'd get paid so I don't think I want to go that route. To start, on Sittercity, I have close to 10 reviews (from weekend jobs and this is where I initially met my current employers ) and a background check. I have a bachelors degree, volunteered as a nursery attendant for my church for 2 years, tutored and can provide a fun and structured day with minimal to no tv watching ( I don't even own a tv at home).

A typical day for a toddler would be breakfast and some form of morning activity: playseum, park, story time, art class, museum or karate/gymnastics lesson (if parents are interested). Afternoon would include lunch, nap and play until parents come home. I am okay with doing the kid(s) laundry, dishes and tidying up behind the kid as well. I am very flexible and follow parents style of parenting, but what I listed was just an example, that's all.
Many families love that I can provide this structure, but doesn't seem to pay more than $15 hour and/or have canceled our interview last minute and want to reschedule short notice.

I would love some advice on how to market myself more and possibly more courses to take (Childcare related) or is this normal? I haven't sought full time employment in 3 years. Thank you

I am in the some page as you,I their companies ,like breed love ,or another's they say for all the family theirhave to pay only $14 net pay,no more than that.
Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Where you are located is very important for what rates you can expect. In DC, what you are offering is very typical and the market rate is around $15-17/hr for one child. In order to make significantly more than that, you would have to distinguish yourself from the usual with either some specialized skills or a willingness to take on additional tasks.

In terms of marketing yourself for better rates, find these ways to distinguish yourself. For example, do you like to cook? Some families would appreciate a nanny that prepares good food from scratch for their child. You could even offer dinner prep as a special skill, if you wanted. If you know another language, you could offer instruction to the child. If you take some ECE classes, you could offer more structured activities so you can provide a preschool type education environment.

Don't forget to get all your safety certifications (first aid and CPR at least) and highlight anything in your BA program that relates to education or childcare.

I'd probably leave out the part about not watching TV and offering an afternoon of just play. In this area, most parents are going to expect that you don't allow your charges to watch TV and the afternoon of just play doesn't sound like the structured and educational play parents seem to like around here.

GL.

[Anonymous]

If an agency is asking you to pay them a fee, run away from them as quickly as possible. An agency never charges the nanny a fee, it is the families that pay the agency a fee.

[Anonymous]

Are you in the DC area?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If an agency is asking you to pay them a fee, run away from them as quickly as possible. An agency never charges the nanny a fee, it is the families that pay the agency a fee.

I just pay already $80 bucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If an agency is asking you to pay them a fee, run away from them as quickly as possible. An agency never charges the nanny a fee, it is the families that pay the agency a fee.

I just pay already $80 bucks.

You need to get your money back and run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi all, I have worked with my current family for 3 years, but they will be relocating in 2 months. I am on Care and Sittercity sites and the amount that many families are willing to pay is really low. I also recently joined 2 agencies, but they take a % of what I'd get paid so I don't think I want to go that route. To start, on Sittercity, I have close to 10 reviews (from weekend jobs and this is where I initially met my current employers ) and a background check. I have a bachelors degree, volunteered as a nursery attendant for my church for 2 years, tutored and can provide a fun and structured day with minimal to no tv watching ( I don't even own a tv at home).

A typical day for a toddler would be breakfast and some form of morning activity: playseum, park, story time, art class, museum or karate/gymnastics lesson (if parents are interested). Afternoon would include lunch, nap and play until parents come home. I am okay with doing the kid(s) laundry, dishes and tidying up behind the kid as well. I am very flexible and follow parents style of parenting, but what I listed was just an example, that's all.
Many families love that I can provide this structure, but doesn't seem to pay more than $15 hour and/or have canceled our interview last minute and want to reschedule short notice.

I would love some advice on how to market myself more and possibly more courses to take (Childcare related) or is this normal? I haven't sought full time employment in 3 years. Thank you

I am in the some page as you,I their companies ,like breed love ,or another's they say for all the family theirhave to pay only $14 net pay,no more than that.
Good luck.

You mean after taxes by "net pay?" Again, that's market rate for one child, since that would be $15-$16/hr gross, minimum.

What amount do you want?

[Anonymous]

$15 net, would be closer to $19-20, gross

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$15 net, would be closer to $19-20, gross

That's definitely higher than average for this area, especially for one child. You're going to have to be very patient to find this.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP Here, to answer a few of you all questions: I live in DC. Gross of $15/ hour so net $12-13. I figured I could make at least $18-$19/gross. I have a vehicle and can drive to MD and Va. I know quite of few nannies without cars and make the same amount... I thought that was an advantage. I also realized that as another commenter said, this is a typical schedule so parents already expect this? The family in work for now live on th hill and pay me $20/hr gross.

[Anonymous]

A gross of $20/hr is the minimum in the DC area with your qualifications. Probably closer to $25.