Rate for summer nanny for one toddler

[Anonymous]

I realize that there are several posts on the "going rate" and I'm sorry to add one more but I need some opinions. We've always paid $15 an hour for our 2.5 year old little boy but we just interviewed a woman who is asking for $20. That seems a little high for one child but maybe it's just more than we've paid in the past.

Btw, all of our sitters have had college degrees. Not intentionally but we like to hire people in their mid-20s (they're usually responsible and energetic for our kid).

[Anonymous]

How many nannies have you had in the 2.5 years. Sounds like a lot. Is "energetic" code for "awful?"

[Anonymous]

You can absolutely find a college-educated summer nanny for one child at $15 per hour, especially if you are looking for someone in her mid-twenties who has 0-2 years experience as a full-time nanny and is looking to go back to school or still trying to find her career path. You can just as easily pay $20 per hour for one toddler, especially if the candidate you like has more than five years experience as a full-time nanny or is a certified teacher with extensive experience working with children. What you want to look out for are the individuals who lack any real training or early childhood education credentials, have relatively modest experience, and are requesting $20 per hour simply because they want to earn $20 an hour. This group usually has trouble holding jobs long term in part because they are always on the lookout for a higher-paying position and in part because they don't really perform on par with their compensation expectations, so parents move on fairly quickly.

There are nannies at both the $15 and $20 price points who will have college degrees and fluent English, be excellent with your child, and be willing to cook the child's meals and manage his or her toys and laundry, etc. However, the more experienced and more expensive career nanny will likely know from day one how to manage her time and juggle everything you want done, whereas the newbie might need a little more guidance or training at the beginning.

[Anonymous]

We haven't had any full-time nannies. I've always had a flexible work schedule so we have been able to get away with part-time sitters and we've always paid $15.

This woman has her bachelors in early childhood education, but so does our current sitter.

[Anonymous]

I think you can definitely find a candidate with reasonable experience for $15. I'm not saying that this Nanny's request is unreasonable, I'm sure that she has experience and sound reasoning behind her rates. But if you are unable/uncomfortable paying those rates, then this is just not the right nanny for you.

[Anonymous]

If it's on the books, then $20; but if it's cash, $15.

[Anonymous]

$20 is too high. She might be asking for that because she expects you to negotiate it down a bit

[Anonymous]

I charge $20 as a base rate for nannying, it only goes up from there and I've never been without work.

If that's beyond your budget I'm sure you can find someone else, but there are some of us who do charge that much (or more) so I don't think it's unreasonable. If you do want her and want to negotiate, I wouldn't go below $18 in your offer. She might consider that seriously while $15 would be an easy no.

[Anonymous]

If she has a lot of experience, then yes, she can ask for $20, but if she only has a degree with no real experience, then pay her closer to $15.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I guess also thought that $20 b/c the going rate for a nanny share is $22-25 an hour, so I was really surprised by a $20 quote for a toddler. Especially because of the 6 hours of childcare, our toddler will be napping for 1.5 hours.

I'm wondering if I should ask for housekeeping or other chores during that time if I'm paying so much.

[Anonymous]

Nannies don't do your housekeeping. Why don't you get a housekeeper instead?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
OP here. I guess also thought that $20 b/c the going rate for a nanny share is $22-25 an hour, so I was really surprised by a $20 quote for a toddler. Especially because of the 6 hours of childcare, our toddler will be napping for 1.5 hours.

I'm wondering if I should ask for housekeeping or other chores during that time if I'm paying so much.

This mindset is going to lead to a bad relationship, I can tell you right now. You should not feel like you have to work your nanny to the bone every second of her working hours in order to "get your money's worth". You will never feel satisfied and your nanny will feel resentful.

If you still want to explore the possibility of hiring this nanny, you could as questions such as "What does a model day with your charges look like? What do you envision that you'll do during nap time?" etc. But honestly I just think you need to accept that this nanny is out of your budget and move on.

[Anonymous]

I'd take on one child for the summer for $30 an hour. So you are getting a bargain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
OP here. I guess also thought that $20 b/c the going rate for a nanny share is $22-25 an hour, so I was really surprised by a $20 quote for a toddler. Especially because of the 6 hours of childcare, our toddler will be napping for 1.5 hours.

I'm wondering if I should ask for housekeeping or other chores during that time if I'm paying so much.

You can always ask but I would absolutely say no! I'm sure your nanny will be doing the child's laundry, dishes, cleaning toys, etc. for the 1.5 hours he/she is napping.

If you can find a nanny for $15 then hire her. If you can't, you'll need to go to $20 - it's really getting late in the season so I don't know how many other options you are going to have. BTW, I charge $20 an hour, on the books, as well, and have had a few potential employers turn me down because of my rate was too high so you aren't alone - but I've always been able to get a job at my rate.

[Anonymous]

My rate is $20 to $25 an hour ($20 for one child). And like PP, I have not gotten offers from a few potential employers because of my rate so I agree that OP is not out of line thinking $20 is too expensive. With my current position, (one infant) I accepted $18 an hour because I could walk to work and in my area (not DC) that is a HUGE plus.

Maybe a more expensive nanny would be willing to lower her rate for a similar perk, OP. If you really like the $20/hourly nanny, OP, ask her if you can negotiate.