How to discuss pay when hiring a nanny?

[Anonymous]

This is probably a dumb question, but we're looking to hire a mother's helper (so, not a full-time nanny and not someone who probably has anywhere near the experience level of a FT nanny), and I'm wondering how you deal with the issue of pay when interviewing candidates. Do I ask what their "rate" is, or do I not say anything about pay until I make an offer and then let them accept or counter offer? I want to pay a fair price but obviously also don't want to "overpay." Some of the people I'm interviewing have more experience than others, so they may have a standard rate and expectation more like a FT nanny, while others have less experience and are more starting out in the field (hence interest in a mother's helper position). Any thoughts on how people usually handle this? Sorry if this is a dumb question.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it's a dumb question! First of all, you should figure out a range of what you're willing and able to pay. If someone said "I charge $20 an hour" you'd probably feel like that was too much, right? So get a sense of whether it's $10/hour but you'd be okay paying up to $13/hour...just for example. Then you can offer the less-qualified folks the lower end, and the more-qualified on the higher.

If someone replies to your lower offer with "I usually get $11/hour" then you have an answer. If this is truly a mother's helper (i.e. middle/high schooler) I'd also suggest asking his/her parents what they usually get paid.

[Anonymous]

A mother's helper should be a middle school kid. I wouldn't pay more than $8 an hour TOPS.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks. It will probably have to be a college student or low-experience nanny because of the times we need someone (students will be in school). I'm definitely willing to pay more than $8/hour for someone who's an adult and will take on some independent responsibility -- probably more like what the PP mentioned of $11-13/hour. Thanks for the help! I only suggested it was maybe a dumb question because I figured other people knew how to handle these things already.

[Anonymous]

Are you planning on being there the whole time? A Mothers Helper to me is someone like the PP said, a middle schooler who helps out while you are around the house, like in the playroom while you are outside gardening or something like that.
If you are leaving them with your child to run errands etc then you need more of a babysitter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you planning on being there the whole time? A Mothers Helper to me is someone like the PP said, a middle schooler who helps out while you are around the house, like in the playroom while you are outside gardening or something like that.
If you are leaving them with your child to run errands etc then you need more of a babysitter.

Agree. A mother's helper is WITH the mother. Not left ALONE with children. If you want to leave someone with your children while you leave the house, then you want a babysitter.

[Anonymous]

I would mention pay ASAP because before you decide if you are a good match, you want to make sure that you also are on the same page regarding pay range.

Why waste anyone's time?