Rate for Nanny Bringing Own Child?

[Anonymous]

Nanny rates seem to be sky high thanks to Covid--I'm talking to a lot of people who want/expect $25/hr+, and we have just one kid. But we just interviewed someone who seemed great and quoted us $20/hr--the catch is she would be bringing along her baby, who's about the same age as ours.

Can anyone who has done this share what they paid? $20/hr seems fair from the perspective that she deserves a living wage, but it's also still substantially more expensive than most of the nanny share arrangements I've heard of, which seem to be more like $13/hr. This seems to have a lot of the downsides of a nanny share, but only some of the cost savings. Still, a big plus would be less potential covid exposure, since we're not adding a third set of grown-ups into the mix.

It's our first time looking for a nanny (#thanksCovid) and we'd budgeted for daycare, not private care--I want to be fair but also realistic, and I don't know anyone who's worked with a nanny who's also a new mom with her kid.

[Anonymous]

I am a Nanny and would like to say that your concern is valid.

Allowing your Nanny to bring along her child to work w/her is a huge perk.
By doing this, your Nanny saves money on childcare co$ts.

However there is a downside to this.
Since your Nanny will be watching her child along w/your own - her attention will be split in 1/2.
Meaning your own child would get 50% vs. 100% of her personal attention.

[Anonymous]

(Cont.)
Because of this, it would be unfair for her to charge you the same rate as a Nanny who will only be caring for your child.

So she should be charging less.
I am not sure where you are located but $20/Hr. seems a little high for someone who will be watching another child along w/yours.

Hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

I am a nanny. I could say that her rate is a little high. I think it would make more sense if she is not bringing her baby as she is charging you this rate as she was coming to take care Only for your baby and giving your the %100. On the other hand if you really like her talk to her telling her if she will consider her rate. I find a little strange that someone who is planning to bring her baby is charging you that amount; keeping in mind that in these days I know is really hard to find very nice families who allow you bring your kind. And if the families do it; believe that your nanny is going to love your child same way she love hers. But I also think the nanny has to have a little more realistic expectations about how much she is thinking to rate.

[Anonymous]

How old is your child? If both kids are let’s say 2yo and older I would pay $20. You are still her boss and your kid is getting a playmate without extra exposure (versus nanny and share family). If both kids are infants, then yes , I would probably pay more than standard nanny share rate but less than single nanny ($15-17/h)

[Anonymous]

$13-14 is reasonable for a nanny share. $20 if she finds child care for her own child.

[Anonymous]

We just hired a nanny who will be bringing her own child-- we will be paying her $20 per hour, which, is less than her normal rate for 1 child (we are in DC). Our children will be a few months apart. We viewed it as our child will have someone to play with, less exposure to COVID as she wouldn't be seeking care from another individual or daycare, flexibility etc., and we can afford it-- we will be contributing to her health care as well. Honestly, out of a bunch of candidates on care.com, she stood out with 15 years of experience and had the references to back it. I love that she has teaching experience too and is willing to create some type of curriculum for our babies.

[Anonymous]

She’s charging $20/hour rather than $25/hour that others are charging, so she is giving you a discount. New shares right now are not starting at $12-13, they’re more like $14-15/family. So, is it worth it to you to have a $5/hour discount because she brings her family? Do you want a $10/hour discount if it comes with another family? Or do you want $25/hour or more for one on one care? Nobody can decide that for you.

[Anonymous]

$20/hr is standard. I’d expect a discount for bringing a child, but more like $17-$18/hr.

[Anonymous]

We had a nanny who brought her daughter with her and she charged half of her rate. I did not like the fact that were there a fire, I knew who would be saved, but I agreed to the arrangement because I worked from home and felt I could get to my own child in a crisis.

[Anonymous]

This is not a nanny share unless you plan to give the nanny equal decision making power. In other words, does the nanny get to decide when the children eat meals or does the nanny feed both children when you want your child to eat?

If we can pretend for a moment that life is normal, here are more examples of how your potential situation is not a share:

If you want your child to attend music class, does nanny follow your wishes or does she argue with you and get to veto that plan?

If you want your child to go to the zoo, does the nanny follow your wishes or does she have the right to avoid a zoo trip because her child dislikes the zoo?

In a true nanny share, both employers make decisions and, while they may consult their shared nanny about the decisions, nanny doesn’t get to veto her employer’s choices.

So since you would be the only employer, your desires and plans for your child would be the priority. The nanny’s child would be along for the ride.

I hope that makes things clearer for you. Hire the nanny or don’t, but don’t pretend you are in a nanny share when you are the only boss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just hired a nanny who will be bringing her own child-- we will be paying her $20 per hour, which, is less than her normal rate for 1 child (we are in DC). Our children will be a few months apart. We viewed it as our child will have someone to play with, less exposure to COVID as she wouldn't be seeking care from another individual or daycare, flexibility etc., and we can afford it-- we will be contributing to her health care as well. Honestly, out of a bunch of candidates on care.com, she stood out with 15 years of experience and had the references to back it. I love that she has teaching experience too and is willing to create some type of curriculum for our babies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She’s charging $20/hour rather than $25/hour that others are charging, so she is giving you a discount. New shares right now are not starting at $12-13, they’re more like $14-15/family. So, is it worth it to you to have a $5/hour discount because she brings her family? Do you want a $10/hour discount if it comes with another family? Or do you want $25/hour or more for one on one care? Nobody can decide that for you.

$5/hour is not enough of a discount, in my opinion. It's the same as a nanny share except that the nanny obviously has a stronger bond with one child than the other. For that I think they'd be paid the same as a nanny share, and even that is generous. We pay our nanny $25/hour but she only has our two kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not a nanny share unless you plan to give the nanny equal decision making power. In other words, does the nanny get to decide when the children eat meals or does the nanny feed both children when you want your child to eat?

If we can pretend for a moment that life is normal, here are more examples of how your potential situation is not a share:

If you want your child to attend music class, does nanny follow your wishes or does she argue with you and get to veto that plan?

If you want your child to go to the zoo, does the nanny follow your wishes or does she have the right to avoid a zoo trip because her child dislikes the zoo?

In a true nanny share, both employers make decisions and, while they may consult their shared nanny about the decisions, nanny doesn’t get to veto her employer’s choices.

So since you would be the only employer, your desires and plans for your child would be the priority. The nanny’s child would be along for the ride.

I hope that makes things clearer for you. Hire the nanny or don’t, but don’t pretend you are in a nanny share when you are the only boss.

This and I don't understand why families don't get this. If you want the nanny to provide a discount for bringing her child that's understandable, but don't expect to pay a share rate ($12). I think people should stop worrying about what everyone else does and focus on a) what they can afford to pay and b) based on the nanny's background, what she deserves. There are people who pay $25 per hour for 1 child and others pay $18 (and all live in the same area) because that's what they can afford; discuss what you are willing (or can afford) to pay and she will either accept or decline.

[Anonymous]

I have a lot to say but I will keep it at this- I am a professional nanny who brought my child with me when he was 5 months old and my nanny kid was 3 months old. I was their nanny for 6 years and fast forward to the boys being 9 years old now and they are inseparable and call each other brothers. I’m sure as adults they will be forever grateful my former boss and now cherished friend, allowed me to bring my son. I think there are certain circumstances that it could be a great situation.