Reasonable rate for our job? 4 kids.

[Anonymous]

Looking for opinions on rate for this job.

Four kids: 9, 7, 5, 3. Oldest three are school age and not home until 3:00. Nanny would have only 3 yr old from 12-3, then older kids home from 3-5:30. Parent usually home by 5, often home by 4 to help older kids with homework. Responsibilities: preschool pick up; kids laundry (we do much of this ourselves weekends or evenings; older kids put their own away); make lunches for 3yr old; light housekeeping (dishwasher, sweep kitchen floors); help get family dinner started (nothing complicated, no planning required, maybe 15-20 min hands-on effort max). Also needs to supervise homework if parent isn't home to do so. No deep cleaning; everyone is potty trained; no pet care, etc. If desired we add extra hours to get to 40 (like errands or similar).

Summer: drive to camps. Usually 1-2 kids have camp each week. There might be one week during entire summer they are all home. Fridays off in the summer (if desired).

Looking for input on rates, and why. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

What KIND of nanny do you have in mind?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What KIND of nanny do you have in mind?

Honestly, I don't need someone with multiple degrees in child development, education, second languages, etc. I need a solid, responsible caregiver with a good attitude and good common sense. I'm fine with someone with a couple of years of experience, but I don't need or care that much about 10+ years. These kids are pretty independent and I mostly need someone who can stay organized and stay positive.

[Anonymous]

Do you need coverage on days when school is out as well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you need coverage on days when school is out as well?

We can usually cover those but it's nice to have a backup option. Vacation weeks I am home. Sick days I am home. Random "grading days" once a semester I probably would want coverage.

[Anonymous]

Are you offering vacation/sick time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you offering vacation/sick time?

Yes. Holidays, 2wks vacation, 3-5 sick days.

[Anonymous]

How many hours are you offering? Do you truly want the help you would get by adding errands, grocery shopping, etc, or would you be stretching financially to afford that? Do you need full time care in the summer?

If Nanny will be helping with homework, hiring a college grad who is able to easily help your kids seems like a given. If your area of the country has an abundance of unemployed grade school teachers, recruit within that sub-group.

You also need someone who brings great organizational skills to the table, and who is a self-starter you won't have to assertively manage, someone who hears what you want and runs with it. That set of characteristics may be prevalent in specific age demographics. You'll have to screen for that in your ads by asking a few questions about how they would handle situations that arise in your family. Anyone who fails to answer, or answers poorly is gone.

Will you provide a vehicle for nanny to use, or do you want Nanny to already own a minivan or large SUV? Expecting Nanny to own and use her car will radically narrow your field of candidates.

I think you are looking at $20 or so for a basic babysitter who is capable of doing most of what you need fairly well. If you want a nanny who fits the criteria I outlined above I think $25 or more will work. More per hour for part time work, less for full time work is the general rule.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

What would the schedule be?

[Anonymous]

Offering 30 hrs minimum, up to 40 if desired. Schedule would be 11:30-5:30 (or 12-6) M-F during school year. 8-4:30/5 in summer. Could start earlier in day if 40 hrs desired during school year. Not a financial stretch to fill 40 hrs, more a matter of trying to figure out what is helpful to us and also of interest to nanny. Vehicle provided. No real help with homework required, just supervision as in "you have to do your homework now".

[Anonymous]

I think for 4 kids, $25/hour

[Anonymous]

It sounds like an AP would fit your needs well, if you would consider having someone live with you.

We have 4 kids and an AP, and it is so helpful having an extra adult in the house to help keep everything running smoothly. someone with flexibility, where I can change her schedule weekly depending on our needs, plus usually a built in date night, since hubby and I barely have time to say a non-kid related word to each other at home.

The AP program costs us about $400/week, plus some ancillary costs, for up to 45 hours of childcare/week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think for 4 kids, $25/hour

See, this is the kind of answer that I don't find particularly helpful. "For 4 kids." What supports this number? The number of children that may be at home? The tasks involved? Help me understand the why behind it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like an AP would fit your needs well, if you would consider having someone live with you.

We have 4 kids and an AP, and it is so helpful having an extra adult in the house to help keep everything running smoothly. someone with flexibility, where I can change her schedule weekly depending on our needs, plus usually a built in date night, since hubby and I barely have time to say a non-kid related word to each other at home.

The AP program costs us about $400/week, plus some ancillary costs, for up to 45 hours of childcare/week.

I agree with this. However, if OP doesn't want and AP, she's going to have to pay a boatload for PT work. $22-$25 an hour, would be my guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think for 4 kids, $25/hour

See, this is the kind of answer that I don't find particularly helpful. "For 4 kids." What supports this number? The number of children that may be at home? The tasks involved? Help me understand the why behind it.

Because nannies typically get paid more to care for more children. That's generally the way it works.