Too low?

[Anonymous]

Is $500 a week too low for a new baby and 2 year old? We already pay $1,500 a month for our older son (at preschool) - I just can't see paying over $4k a month in daycare costs. $4k would be my max!

[Anonymous]

That would be fine for a teenager with no experience.

[Anonymous]

Where do you live? What are the hours you need? What chores beyond childcare do you expect? How much experience do you want nanny to have?

[Anonymous]

We live in Gaithersburg. I'd be willing to do a little more but unfortunately I can't pay more than $4,500 a month for all three kids... (We pay $1,500 for our oldest in preschool and don't want to move him but we might have too... ). Even with a six figure salary it wouldn't make sense for me to work anymore... Here are the specifics:

- Monday - Friday
- 7:30am - 4:30pm
- $600 a week (for two kids)
(We would pay the full price while I'm on maternity leave and she would only care for our oldest)
- Time off between Christmas and New Years + all federal holidays and 10 days paid vacation
- Would pay for food
- Use of car
- no housekeeping other than putting dishes away from kids lunches etc...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in Gaithersburg. I'd be willing to do a little more but unfortunately I can't pay more than $4,500 a month for all three kids... (We pay $1,500 for our oldest in preschool and don't want to move him but we might have too... ). Even with a six figure salary it wouldn't make sense for me to work anymore... Here are the specifics:

- Monday - Friday
- 7:30am - 4:30pm
- $600 a week (for two kids)
(We would pay the full price while I'm on maternity leave and she would only care for our oldest)
- Time off between Christmas and New Years + all federal holidays and 10 days paid vacation
- Would pay for food
- Use of car
- no housekeeping other than putting dishes away from kids lunches etc...

That is less than $13 an hour, OP. Yes, that is way too low for anyone legal and half-way decent.

[Anonymous]

You won't find anyone you'd want in your home caring for your children for that amount. Childcare is expensive.
Why are you paying $1500/month for a 2 year old to go to preschool? Pull him out, put him in a 2-3 day per week MMO program and put the extra money toward a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Ugh... I have no idea what to do... If we paid $1,500 per kid a month that puts us at a break even with our budget.... I'm at a loss.... This baby was an unexpected blessing but I have no idea what's our alternative. I only have $4,500 to play with for all three.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ugh... I have no idea what to do... If we paid $1,500 per kid a month that puts us at a break even with our budget.... I'm at a loss.... This baby was an unexpected blessing but I have no idea what's our alternative. I only have $4,500 to play with for all three.

Why are you paying $1500/month for the 2 yo to go to preschool?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh... I have no idea what to do... If we paid $1,500 per kid a month that puts us at a break even with our budget.... I'm at a loss.... This baby was an unexpected blessing but I have no idea what's our alternative. I only have $4,500 to play with for all three.

Why are you paying $1500/month for the 2 yo to go to preschool?[/quote
Never mind. I reread that.

[Anonymous]

You will find lots of qualified candidates, especially out in Gaithersburg. In Rockville, we have 2 friends who each pay $500-600 a week for a very similar schedule and their nannies are wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is $500 a week too low for a new baby and 2 year old? We already pay $1,500 a month for our older son (at preschool) - I just can't see paying over $4k a month in daycare costs. $4k would be my max!

For your consideration, I make $500 a week as an after school nanny alone, watching two older kids for a couple hours after a different job. I can't see ANYONE would be interested in $500 a week for those full time+ hours

[Anonymous]

This would be a good rate for a live in nanny. Op can you accommodate a live in nanny ?

[Anonymous]

Mom of 4 here.
Your 2yo doesn't need preschool, especially a $1500/month preschool.
Pull him out and get a good nanny who can plan playdates and go for outings to museums and such. and she can read to him/teach him #s and letters for an hour here and there while baby naps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will find lots of qualified candidates, especially out in Gaithersburg. In Rockville, we have 2 friends who each pay $500-600 a week for a very similar schedule and their nannies are wonderful.

agree. many nannies live right there too, is affordable.

[Anonymous]

$1500 is a lot for preschool.

You could maybe do a nanny share but it would be a lot of kids for a nanny.