Is our position attractive to nannies?

[Anonymous]

We are a married couple with our first child.

Logistics:

- February start date; Monday - Thursday, 7:30AM - 4:30PM.
- Care for our son who will be 12 weeks by the start date.
- Housekeeping pertaining to baby ( i.e. laundry, bottle washing, homemade baby food when older, keeping nursery clean, etc.).
- Basic care such as diapering, feeding, putting child down for nap. Willing to follow a set daily routine.
- Being active ( no TV while awake). Must engage with reading, tummy time, working on milestones, etc. Willing to take on walks ( weather permitting), classes, parks.. once he is old enough and mobile.

Basically, general care that entails caring for an infant.

Benefits:

- $20-23/per hour depending on experience.
- 3-4 weeks paid vacation with the first taking effect after 3 months of employment.
- 5 paid sick days and 3 paid holidays
- This is a position where bonuses and raises will be common.
- Free parking spot, access to our home gym, and open fridge policy.

Qualifications:

- 5+ years reliable experience with infants and toddlers.
- College educated or pursuing a degree
- Excellent verifiable references and clean background check
- Current certifications and immunizations ( N1H1 & TDap).
- Non-smoker and physically able to care for a young infant.

We are very laid-back and just want a loving and responsible nanny for our child. We would like a nanny who loves children and wants to be a partner in helping us navigate and raise our son and future children.

Is this a desirable position? What should we tweak?

[Anonymous]

I'd say it's a desirable position. Just curious what the 3 holidays are. That may be a point that makes some qualified nannies not apply to the position because they can find a comparable benefits package to yours but with more paid holidays.

[Anonymous]

I would try to offer more holidays...3 isn't really much at all. You may also want to consider being a more lax with the "no TV while the child is awake". I understand that when a child is older and active, but your son is an infant. Nanny can easily rock/feed/change/interact with your son while the TV is on in the background.

[Anonymous]

3 paid holidays is not a lot, and I say that as someone who works a good number of holidays and whose DH does not get a lot of fed holidays off.

In exchange for DS' nanny getting 7 paid holidays (Labor Day, Thanksgiving, day after Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day, Memorial Day, and July 4th), she gets 4 vacations of her choosing. Although we do have the stipulation that not more than 2 weeks can be taken at the same time without 5 months notice.

You also don't mention guaranteed hours. This is a must.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd say it's a desirable position. Just curious what the 3 holidays are. That may be a point that makes some qualified nannies not apply to the position because they can find a comparable benefits package to yours but with more paid holidays.

OP here. Sorry, that was a typo. It was suppose to read " 5 sick days and 3 personal. All major holidays and federal holidays are off."

[Anonymous]

We will also be giving a guaranteed weekly salary. Ex. Nanny is paid $20/hr. 20 * 36. That is net pay.

Most likely I will be home at 4/4:15 as opposed to 4:30.

We really aren't ok with the tv on while he is up. I was a nanny for infants for 8 years and never used the tv for entertainment. She can watch the baby is asleep.

[Anonymous]

It's a very attractive package, OP, but if you're in DC, your hourly rate is very high for one child. Just something to think about as you consider the many raises and bonuses you plan.

$18/hr is still high end of the market, but more reasonable the $20+ for one child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's a very attractive package, OP, but if you're in DC, your hourly rate is very high for one child. Just something to think about as you consider the many raises and bonuses you plan.

$18/hr is still high end of the market, but more reasonable the $20+ for one child.

We actually live in Chicago now but we used to live in DC so I know about this site. The area ranges from $ 14- 25/hr. We live in the downtown area. Maybe $17-18 is more realistic. My husband is wealthy and I make a great living so money isn't an issue for us.

[Anonymous]

Looks good.
Almost too good to be true lol.

The only thing that would make to better is some health insurance coverage/ compensation. Which I know isn't standard.

The only thing that I wouldn't go for is the vaccines, but that is me and requesting them is totally within reason.

You may want to consider adding CPR training.

Looks good. I would apply if you all were near me.

[Anonymous]

Seems like an attractive package. I would say that 3-4weeks paid vacation is on the high end. Perhaps start with 2 weeks so you have the opportunity to increase from there in the second year if nanny's performance is satisfactory. I do understand the no TV policy and while some may not agree, it is the parents call and your selected nanny should respect that.
--Nanny

[Anonymous]

I don't find your offer very attractive. The pay is quite low, newborns are the most work, and first time moms are the worst. Plus you seem stuck up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't find your offer very attractive. The pay is quite low, newborns are the most work, and first time moms are the worst. Plus you seem stuck up.

Please elaborate on how I seem " stuck up?"

[Anonymous]

I did add certifications and immunizations. Those to us are non-negotiable. We are offering 3-4 weeks in travel because we take 2 weeks around Xmas and 1-2 in the summer for vacation. We have thought about healthcare because my husband owns his own investment firm. I think we would go on the lower end of pay if we did that. We prefer not to go too high or give too much until the relationship is established.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't find your offer very attractive. The pay is quite low, newborns are the most work, and first time moms are the worst. Plus you seem stuck up.

Oh, shut up troll. Her range is more than sufficient for an infant. They aren't that hard to care for. OP doesn't seem the least bit stuck up and their offer seems very fair. You are probably one of those nannies who tell parents $30/hr is normal and wonder why you are out of work. Get over yourself. You are annoying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't find your offer very attractive. The pay is quite low, newborns are the most work, and first time moms are the worst. Plus you seem stuck up.

Oh, shut up troll. Her range is more than sufficient for an infant. They aren't that hard to care for. OP doesn't seem the least bit stuck up and their offer seems very fair. You are probably one of those nannies who tell parents $30/hr is normal and wonder why you are out of work. Get over yourself. You are annoying.

Actually I'm happily employed right now making significantly more than OP is offering for a family that is much less work and isn't stuck up, so I stand by everything I wrote.