if you have school aged children

[Anonymous]

Do you pay more in the summer? My children are 6,5, 3, and 10 months. This summer, the older two are going to summer camp a few weeks, but will be home most of the time. During the school year, they will be in school all day, and my 3 y/o will be in preschool a few hours/wk. Do you offer a higher rate during the summer and snow days/vacation? Figure it all evens out with a slightly higher rate than what would be typical for 2 children during the school year?

[Anonymous]

No, they go to eight weeks of camp.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I pay a fair year-round wage for the four of them, and it's just a different/easier job during the school year. It's like tax season for nannies.

[Anonymous]

We have four kids, two school aged, one preschool, one at home. Most nanny candidates wanted to charge a four child rate despite not actually caring for four children the majority of the time. I've thought about offering a summer/break wage difference but I usually schedule it so one or both of the older kids is gone most of the time. Still thinking about doing this.

[Anonymous]

No I don't pay more in the summer. Often older child has done camps for a big chunk of the time though.

[Anonymous]

We offer the same rate all year round (two older kids go to school/camp and baby at home). There are so many sick days and school holidays during the year and our nanny does the laundry and makes breakfast and lunch for all three kids.

I doubt you'll find a good nanny who will accept a varying rate, OP. Any professional will want to know and budget for their salary. Why would a nanny be any different?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We offer the same rate all year round (two older kids go to school/camp and baby at home). There are so many sick days and school holidays during the year and our nanny does the laundry and makes breakfast and lunch for all three kids.

I doubt you'll find a good nanny who will accept a varying rate, OP. Any professional will want to know and budget for their salary. Why would a nanny be any different?

That makes sense. I don't really know anyone who has a nanny, and I have never been in this situation before. I didn't know what people do. Like if I offer $x/hr, is she expecting that during the school year, and a bonus during breaks and the summer? Or is she expecting that all year long, with a little more work at times. It sounds like people don't offer a bonus for caring for extra children at certain times, but offer a higher rate than just caring for 2 kids. That makes sense. And you have a good point that people want to budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We offer the same rate all year round (two older kids go to school/camp and baby at home). There are so many sick days and school holidays during the year and our nanny does the laundry and makes breakfast and lunch for all three kids.

I doubt you'll find a good nanny who will accept a varying rate, OP. Any professional will want to know and budget for their salary. Why would a nanny be any different?

That makes sense. I don't really know anyone who has a nanny, and I have never been in this situation before. I didn't know what people do. Like if I offer $x/hr, is she expecting that during the school year, and a bonus during breaks and the summer? Or is she expecting that all year long, with a little more work at times. It sounds like people don't offer a bonus for caring for extra children at certain times, but offer a higher rate than just caring for 2 kids. That makes sense. And you have a good point that people want to budget.

Our nanny is the nanny for all three kids regardless of who is in school when (she picks the older kids up from school and camp). I made that clear when we moved into this stage of our relationship with her (our nanny has been with us since my oldest was born!). You just need to pay a fair salary and make it clear on hiring that your nanny is a nanny for all the kids.

[Anonymous]

I pay the same rate all year, but make sure the summer is balanced for nanny with camps, our vacations, etc. so that she gets a break every other week or so.

[Anonymous]

I'd just get a new job instead of all this nickel and diming some of you get caught up with.