Nanny share question - 2 to 3 kids

[Anonymous]

We currently have a nanny share with another family - 2 19 mos. We pay $350 a week (she's been with us for 3.25 years) and they pay $300 a week (been with her 1.25 yrs). We are adding another baby (9 months). In the past, we have allowed the nanny to watch additional children part-time on a drop in basis with no adjustment in our rates. However, now that she is taking another full-time child, we'd like to renegotiate.

I really don't think she will quit on us but I also want to be as fair as possible. In our neighborhood, the nannies either charge hourly for drop in (usually $8) or a set weekly price (between $250-350) that you pay if you are there or not.

I want to propose that I pay $300 and the other families each pay $250. This gives the nanny $800 a week for the 3 kids (up $150 a week from the 2). The other moms in the share work for schools so they have many more days off. She suggested that she pay $250 but that if she doesn't use the nanny for 2 or more days any particular week that she go down to $175. That way, even if the nanny only has 0-1 child, she will still make a flat rate of $650 for the week (my $300 + $175 +$175). I don't think its right to get both the low hourly rate and not pay for hours she isn't using, but she insists that the guaranteed base makes it ok bc she will never make less than she is making (and happy with) right now.

The situation is otherwise great. We get along really well, nanny is really great, kids are relatively easy, etc. Both of the "big" kids will be going to preschool in the fall (and possibly camp in the summer) so its a short-term situation.

If you are only going to comment on how no one can live on $650 a week, please don't bother. It is the original salary she requested and it is very normal for this neighborhood. the only new issue is that we are adding a 3rd child full-time and the $650 was based on only 2 kids.

[Anonymous]

$800 a week for three kids... that is low for a nanny. you'll need to pay her more.

[Anonymous]

Why are you paying more than the other families?

[Anonymous]

It also sounds like they're taking advantage of the nanny - they would never be able to sustain a share on their paltry $175-250/week payments. It seems to me like they're taking advantage of both you and the nanny!

[Anonymous]

Have you talked to her if she is ok with three kids full-time? That's a lot of young kids. Will you get her a triple stroller and the gear she needs?

[Anonymous]

What area are you in? And is the nanny watching the children at your homes or her home?

[Anonymous]

You are underpaying her.

You know this which is why you asked us not to comment on that.

HOWEVER, when you are underpaying her AND giving her more work than the job three streets over, you will lose her. I think you also know this which is why you've posted.

Instead of worrying about what's average or what she asked for, why don't you think about what you think is a reasonable rate. How much do you want to invest in childcare?

You might say, "But Larla I want to invest $1000000 but that's not practical," but don't be obtuse. You know what a reasonable hourly rate for caring for your children is and is not. If you can't afford to pay it, you can't afford a nanny/share. If you underpay her and give her extra work she will move on.

[Anonymous]

You are already underpaying her. How many hours does she work? My guess is that you are not paying her overtime, either.

I would keep paying the same rate, quite frankly, since she is already underpaid for a nanny share situation. Have you even given her a raise in over 3 years?

I'm an MB, by the way... and think the bare minimum a 2-child share should start at is $18/hour, but many start closer to $20/hour. Add in a third child from a separate family, and the nanny should be making at least another $5 per hour.

Plus annual raises.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We currently have a nanny share with another family - 2 19 mos. We pay $350 a week (she's been with us for 3.25 years) and they pay $300 a week (been with her 1.25 yrs). We are adding another baby (9 months). In the past, we have allowed the nanny to watch additional children part-time on a drop in basis with no adjustment in our rates. However, now that she is taking another full-time child, we'd like to renegotiate.

I really don't think she will quit on us but I also want to be as fair as possible. In our neighborhood, the nannies either charge hourly for drop in (usually $8) or a set weekly price (between $250-350) that you pay if you are there or not.

I want to propose that I pay $300 and the other families each pay $250. This gives the nanny $800 a week for the 3 kids (up $150 a week from the 2). The other moms in the share work for schools so they have many more days off. She suggested that she pay $250 but that if she doesn't use the nanny for 2 or more days any particular week that she go down to $175. That way, even if the nanny only has 0-1 child, she will still make a flat rate of $650 for the week (my $300 + $175 +$175). I don't think its right to get both the low hourly rate and not pay for hours she isn't using, but she insists that the guaranteed base makes it ok bc she will never make less than she is making (and happy with) right now.

The situation is otherwise great. We get along really well, nanny is really great, kids are relatively easy, etc. Both of the "big" kids will be going to preschool in the fall (and possibly camp in the summer) so its a short-term situation.

If you are only going to comment on how no one can live on $650 a week, please don't bother. It is the original salary she requested and it is very normal for this neighborhood. the only new issue is that we are adding a 3rd child full-time and the $650 was based on only 2 kids.

No, no, no. The other mom is in the wrong here. Your nanny is a human being whose livelihood depends on you all, her employers. She deserves stability and a regular paycheck. This whole situation sounds pretty crummy for her.

Has she agreed to adding a third full-time child? If so, I bet she is not expecting you all to take advantage of her and reduce her already low salary even further. She doesn't realize that you want her to take care of two toddlers, plus an additional infant for an extra 3 bucks an hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We currently have a nanny share with another family - 2 19 mos. We pay $350 a week (she's been with us for 3.25 years) and they pay $300 a week (been with her 1.25 yrs). We are adding another baby (9 months). In the past, we have allowed the nanny to watch additional children part-time on a drop in basis with no adjustment in our rates. However, now that she is taking another full-time child, we'd like to renegotiate.

I really don't think she will quit on us but I also want to be as fair as possible. In our neighborhood, the nannies either charge hourly for drop in (usually $8) or a set weekly price (between $250-350) that you pay if you are there or not.

I want to propose that I pay $300 and the other families each pay $250. This gives the nanny $800 a week for the 3 kids (up $150 a week from the 2). The other moms in the share work for schools so they have many more days off. She suggested that she pay $250 but that if she doesn't use the nanny for 2 or more days any particular week that she go down to $175. That way, even if the nanny only has 0-1 child, she will still make a flat rate of $650 for the week (my $300 + $175 +$175). I don't think its right to get both the low hourly rate and not pay for hours she isn't using, but she insists that the guaranteed base makes it ok bc she will never make less than she is making (and happy with) right now.

The situation is otherwise great. We get along really well, nanny is really great, kids are relatively easy, etc. Both of the "big" kids will be going to preschool in the fall (and possibly camp in the summer) so its a short-term situation.

If you are only going to comment on how no one can live on $650 a week, please don't bother. It is the original salary she requested and it is very normal for this neighborhood. the only new issue is that we are adding a 3rd child full-time and the $650 was based on only 2 kids.

No, no, no. The other mom is in the wrong here. Your nanny is a human being whose livelihood depends on you all, her employers. She deserves stability and a regular paycheck. This whole situation sounds pretty crummy for her.

Has she agreed to adding a third full-time child? If so, I bet she is not expecting you all to take advantage of her and reduce her already low salary even further. She doesn't realize that you want her to take care of two toddlers, plus an additional infant for an extra 3 bucks an hour.

Sit and let that sink in. You all want to nickel and dime her and ask her to take on an infant for an extra $25 per day.

[Anonymous]

Please tell me she hasn't worked for you for 3.25 years without a raise.

[Anonymous]

I think the OP is paying more than the other family since she has been working w/this Nanny two more years than the other family....?

[Anonymous]

Who brought the subject up of adding another child? If it was your nanny, she likely needs to make more money and will not be happy with the proposed compensation structure.

If it was you are other mom, then she will likely feel slighted that you are both decreasing her compensation.

You said that in your neighborhood it's either $8/hr or a set weekly price of $250-$350. That set weekly price is to guarantee her salary, but 2 our of the 3 of you want to pay less than that if they are not there? How many hours are you using the nanny? Even at just 40 hours a week that $800 is only $20/hr for a three child share. That is crazy cheap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please tell me she hasn't worked for you for 3.25 years without a raise.

+1

[Anonymous]

Why are you wanting to nickel and dime her?
You don't want her job.