Nanny candidate asked for $25/hr for one 4-yr old?

[Anonymous]

I interviewed a candidate whom I really liked but when I told her I was hoping to pay $18/hr, she asked for $25/hr. This is for a very part-time position (like 10 hrs/week) but she currently has another P/T job and our job would fit into her schedule. $25 seems like a lot for one preschooler, no?

[Anonymous]

Yes. Keep looking.

[Anonymous]

She's probably hoping you'll counter higher than 18.

[Anonymous]

$25 is exactly what we pay. If you can't go over $18 with a counter-offer then I guess you just have to move on, but no I don't think it's too much. It's for your child.

[Anonymous]

Depends what her qualifications are. For a nanny with a college degree and teaching experience, $25 an hour is a bargain. If it is too much for you, lower you expectations and find someone else.

[Anonymous]

Way too much. Keep looking and you will find a very good nanny for $18/hour.

[Anonymous]

I would never pay that rate OP, however, I don't know the market for such a tiny number of hours so I can see where $18 might be too low. It could be that your small requirement really makes it tricky to find a fit. Perhaps it's worth counter-offering if you can afford the $20-30/week difference in order to have peace of mind and reliable care.

[Anonymous]

I would counter lower, since you may want her longer term and bake in some $0.50 or $1.00 raises.

But a portion of a part-time nanny's rate is retainer. so part-time rates are a bit higher than full-time rates.

$25/h * 10 hours is $250/week for after school care. Fairly normal. maybe you can do an after school share with other neighborhood school kids?

[Anonymous]

If she has good references and you can afford it, pay it.

If good care was easy to find, this forum wouldn't be so full of complaining mothers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she has good references and you can afford it, pay it.

If good care was easy to find, this forum wouldn't be so full of complaining mothers.

actually I think most mothers come on DCUM Nanny Forum occasionally to thank god they don't have some complaining inept DCUM nanny. this forum is hilarious!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends what her qualifications are. For a nanny with a college degree and teaching experience, $25 an hour is a bargain. If it is too much for you, lower you expectations and find someone else.

I agree. We wanted more of a tutor/teacher for our DD and we pay over $25 an hour for it. If you just want a babysitter you can absolutely find one for much less.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends what her qualifications are. For a nanny with a college degree and teaching experience, $25 an hour is a bargain. If it is too much for you, lower you expectations and find someone else.

I agree. We wanted more of a tutor/teacher for our DD and we pay over $25 an hour for it. If you just want a babysitter you can absolutely find one for much less.

Exactly.

[Anonymous]

This is too closely similar to the posting on the General Discussion forum so I am to come to the conclusion that this posting must be made up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is too closely similar to the posting on the General Discussion forum so I am to come to the conclusion that this posting must be made up.

I don't know if this post is made up. Either way, we pay our nanny $25/hour in Bethesda (and she doesn't have a degree but does a wonderful job in pretty much all respects). It is not easy to pay that amount for 40 hours/week, but we will continue to do so for 1 more year until our youngest starts kindergarten.

[Anonymous]

Smart nannies love smart parents.