Nanny Help: getting what you pay for

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't quite understand why people are so hostile to the OP. Maybe you don't think her business will work out, but there's nothing outlandish or bizarre about helping families hire employees that specifically fit their needs/ability to pay or about training employees. She's offering these perfectly normal services in the context of nannies, where she perceives -- rightly or wrongly -- a gap in the market. Perhaps she shouldn't have phrased it as "making a $12 nanny perform like a $30 nanny," but rather as "helping a newbie nanny acquire the skills that come from experience in a shorter timeframe" or something? But in every other profession, getting free job training is considered a good thing and doesn't mean your employer thinks you suck. And, yes, obviously after sufficient training you will apply for a higher paying job that utilizes your new skills, but that doesn't mean that the employer providing the training doesn't get anything out of the deal. If everyone on this forum's arguments were correct, no employers would ever provide job training.

OP is upfront about this being a brand new business and offering her services for free for -- she hopes -- the mutual benefit of both parties. If you're not interested, don't take her up on it; but don't act like this is an insulting or outlandish proposal.

And, yes, of course you can teach someone to be a better nanny. Don't be ridiculous.

Thanks OP.

Yes I wanna make $30/hr nannying for 45 hours a week. Where do I sign up and is there a guarantee? Do you do training in Telegu too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the poster who asked what I teach nannies to do/provide: Avant Nanny helps nannies tailor a curriculum for each individual child based on their needs/interests/goals/level. That is the main concept, providing a new service much like what children receive in the classroom on an appropriate level that promotes enrichment outside of school. Think worksheets (math, reading comprehension, writing, etc), projects (ex: go to National Zoo, research and complete a diorama on their favorite animal), and day to day activities (if they watch a movie they will then complete a synopsis or answer questions, again baed appropriately on age and level).

Again, I apologize for not making this clear before. This is not a scam or a ploy - I wanted to put this out there to two random families because I wanted an unbiased proof of concept on this. The people I have met see the value in me and this venture and while their opinions are important to me, I wanted to start from scratch in order to fully realize what this business is capable of.

To those that do not see the value in this, I completely respect your opinion and I would hope you would share that mutual respect in your responses.

I think my experience as a nanny as been very different from many, I think of nannying as my career and I treat it as such. I am open with my employers and I appreciate everything they have done for me. I respect them and I know they respect me and maybe that is the only model in which this business works. Otherwise this becomes about mistrust and bettering someone to one party's advancement and subsequently hurting another. This is about mutual growth in the best interest of the children. I aspire to be on a career path that promotes growth, inspiration and stellar service. I think we need a coach to start breeding this atmosphere. I don't mean to offend anyone with my suggestions and I think all nannies are capable of providing this level of enrichment if only they have the right mentor and tools.

So, basically you got your education and feel you know better so you want to be paid to step in and train a nanny. Does a nanny really need to be trained on the things you mentioned? Regardless of pay, they should be doing those things and more. Its pretty easy to go buy a few workbooks or get worksheets free online. What you are teaching isn't anything special. For $30 an hour, I'd want supernally who can cook, clean and care for the kids at the same time.

[Anonymous]

If I hire a nanny at $12hr, its bc thats what I can afford and bc I think she's a good nanny. I wouldnt spend add'l money having you train her to be better - I'd rather make sure I am hiring someone who will continue to grow and develop and use that money for raises for her.

[Anonymous]

For $20-30/hour I'd go with daycare rather than some off market nanny and paid classes/pre-school for the kiddos.

If you price yourself out of the market then you are just that, out of the market.

[Anonymous]

Before you start a new business, it is vital that an actual need exists in your community.

Perhaps take an informal poll with families as well as nannies and see what you find out.

If the majority seem to have some interest in your concept, then go ahead and try it out.

It will be a risk, like any other business idea...But if you are passionate about this idea, it will be contagious and hopefully catch on.

You may not break even in the beginning so I hope you have something to tide you over until you do.

Best of luck to you.

[Anonymous]

You expect a $12 nanny to do the work of a $30 nanny... But still be paid $12??? This idea sucks, big time. You are basically advertising "job creep", what nanny would want to work with you???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You expect a $12 nanny to do the work of a $30 nanny... But still be paid $12??? This idea sucks, big time. You are basically advertising "job creep", what nanny would want to work with you???

As a very highly paid nanny I can tell you for a fact my job is not harder or more involved than a $12 an hour nanny. My experience commands my high salary, not the fact that I work harder or do more. I am not a maid or cook, just a nanny with lots of experience.

[Anonymous]

The nanny pool, unfortunately, is largely composed of people who alternately would work retail. There, they would get all kinds of direction. "Do this, then that. This is the procedure for this. Wear this earpiece so I can whisper to you what to do at all times. Bring all your stuff in a clear purse so I can see if you are stealing." At a nannying job, these same people become the authority for little kids. Parents give overall guidance but often 1. are not the best managers for dealing with this type of people and 2. are not around to see what is being done wrong. I can see the benefit in this but the only problem is that people won't be willing to pay much for this service. The only thing people kind of pay for, is if they can't find someone good, then they pay a referral fee to get someone good. Even that is going out of style. How are you going to prove your worth to the parents (the paying people) so that they will pay for your service?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The nanny pool, unfortunately, is largely composed of people who alternately would work retail. There, they would get all kinds of direction. "Do this, then that. This is the procedure for this. Wear this earpiece so I can whisper to you what to do at all times. Bring all your stuff in a clear purse so I can see if you are stealing." At a nannying job, these same people become the authority for little kids. Parents give overall guidance but often 1. are not the best managers for dealing with this type of people and 2. are not around to see what is being done wrong. I can see the benefit in this but the only problem is that people won't be willing to pay much for this service. The only thing people kind of pay for, is if they can't find someone good, then they pay a referral fee to get someone good. Even that is going out of style. How are you going to prove your worth to the parents (the paying people) so that they will pay for your service?

She's not. This business is DOA, we are just having fun now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To all: thank you so much for all of this input! It is quite hard to get an entire concept out in a brief discussion topic on a forum with people dissecting it, but it's good to see how this concept is percieved. I'll try to put it another way without creating the animosity.

I have worked in a corporate job and in that setting, advancing your career and always learning is a plus. For some reason, in this industry we equate getting better with becoming too expensive. I'd like to change that. I'd like to change the level of service nannies provide for the betterment of the children. IMO we need to break down the walls between good employers and nannies and create productive relationships.

I'm realizing that the title of this post was all wrong. If your nannies aren't coming up with lesson plans for activities in the summer, goal lists, and supplemental material for books/movies/activities/etc - I believe they should. The families I have met can't pin point a price on their child's happiness and advancement. Once they see the level of service I provide and will pass on, they always ask "where can I find one of you?", and that is where Avant Nanny comes in. This business is for families who want a nanny that gives something that is not the norm. This is about providing a new standard of service, so it is not a slap in the face to a nanny to bring Avant in, it is instead a chance to advance their career in order to better provide for the family they work for.

I don't think this business is for everyone. For the families I have met, those that care to provide not just safety but enrichment along with their childcare - this service is unparalleled.

Word of advice: if you are advertising a business on an anonymous forum, then focus on the business and leave out the personal pronouns. We are trying to get an understanding of the business model. We don't need to know how you feel in particular, nor about your exact situation and experience. It seems more constructive for you to explain how the services you intend to provide benefit families and the nannies that they hire. Focus on that and it will be a bit more clear. If you are stating your opinions and experience to become more credible to the reader, then do so in a public interface where it is simply another tab to click on ("About the owner") to confirm the credibility of the business. Defend the business proposal, not yourself. All we need to know for now is that you are/were a nanny and that you understand the corporate world as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You expect a $12 nanny to do the work of a $30 nanny... But still be paid $12??? This idea sucks, big time. You are basically advertising "job creep", what nanny would want to work with you???

As a very highly paid nanny I can tell you for a fact my job is not harder or more involved than a $12 an hour nanny. My experience commands my high salary, not the fact that I work harder or do more. I am not a maid or cook, just a nanny with lots of experience.

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