Going from 2 kids to 1
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Anonymous
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Our nanny has been with us for several years and we love her. She has watched DS1 since he was an infant and now takes care of DS1 (now about to start pre-k in the fall) and DS2 (an infant). My question is about salary when she goes from watching 2 kids to 1. We gave her a significant raise after DS2 was born and she started watching him. Do we have to continue paying her the higher rate (for 2 children) even though she will only be watching 1? Logically, the answer seems like "no" to me. But I also realize that this is her salary and I can't imagine she will be thrilled if we reduce her salary in the fall (who would be??).
I have asked whether she might be interested in a share so that she can earn even more, but she said that she is only interested in working with one family. We can't afford to pay for Pre-K and the higher salary at the same time, but we don't want to lose our nanny. Just trying to figure out what people have done in this situation. |
Anonymous
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I don't know anyone who reduced their nanny's rate (and kept the nanny).
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Anonymous
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You can reduce her rate, but she may be angry or disappointed.
Or not. It is entirely up to her. I personally wouldn’t be unless I had not had a raise since DS1 was a baby. (Not counting adding in a second child.) I mean a raise in general. If your Nanny has had a raise, then perhaps you can offer her some new benefits in lieu of her previous salary if you really want her to stay. Offer her more paid days off, an extra week of vacation and/or washer & dryer privileges, etc. Good luck! |
Anonymous
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How much was the increase when you went from 1 to 2? If you truly have a great relationship with her -- such that she feels as fortunate to be working for you as you do to have her -- then *maybe* I could see a buck or two reduction. But it's hard to take away something she's getting now. Especially if she's still going to have responsibilities for DS1 like picking him up from pre-K and prepping food for him.
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Anonymous
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Is the preK full day? If she did other things for you - errands or meal prep, for example - would the higher pay bother you less?
If you lower her salary, you will lose her. You could phrase it that it is only financially feasible for you to keep her on if you form a share. You may still lose her. That being said, if you convince her to go the share route: -let her have final say over share family. She'll be interacting with the parents and other child much more than you. -consider giving additional vacation time. The biggest down side of a share is when one family is gone and she would typically be off, she's still required to work because of the second share family. |
Anonymous
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This is really, really tricky. I don't see how you reduce her salary without causing hard feelings, and since you HAVE been paying her more, obviously you can technically afford it.
I guess if I were you, I would just not give her any more raises. |
Anonymous
| Will she still be responsible for him on sick days, school breaks, and will she still be responsible for his laundry? |
Anonymous
| At your job, when work is reduced, do they lower your pay? |
Anonymous
| Logically the answer is yes unless you want a new nanny. Are you going to pay extra for school days, summer breaks, sick days, are you paying extra for the extra laundry or cleaning or messes from two kids? This is not okay |
Anonymous
Of course! 
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Anonymous
| Lower her pay and then watch as she leaves you high and dry. Obviously, you cannot afford a nanny if you can't afford pre School and a nanny. You should have thought about this before having another kid. |
Anonymous
So it sounds like the Pre-K is a private one, not provided by public school? You have 3 choices: 1. Don't have your son go to Pre-K. It's optional, not mandatory. 2. Lose your nanny. Find someone cheaper. 3. Find a way to afford both. Maybe you or your husband can get a second job. Or cut a major expense. Or sell one of your vehicles, jewelry, etc. Is there anything your family likes to do that isn't "necessary?" Going out to dinner? Vacations? Getting your hair professionally done? etc. |
Anonymous
Some of these replies  you want OP to get a second job and sell her jewelry for their nanny? Get outta here! Cut cable? Sure. Put less into savings? Ok! Get a second job? Are you high?
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Anonymous
If your goal is to get a nanny on a daycare budget then you need to adjust your lifestyle. Op gave the nanny an option of a nanny share bc she can not afford the nanny any longer. The nanny said no, so OP needs to let her go and find someone cheaper. What Op cannot do however, is try to lower the nanny’s pay. |
Anonymous
I didn't say I "want" OP to do that. OP wants two things (nanny and preschool) but can only afford one. If having both is that important to her, SHE can decide if she wants to make other sacrifices (2nd job, selling her jewelry, etc.) to have them. What she CAN'T do is ask her nanny to make the sacrifice, in the form of lower pay. |