Parents only offering low rates?

[Anonymous]

Is anyone else seeing parents offering incredibly low rates in DC even though there is a national nanny shortage going on? $20/hr was the going rate here back in 2013. A nanny with 15+ yrs of experience should not be finding everyone offering $20/hr only when that's only a few dollars more than minimum wage!

Then they also want you to speak another language, do dinner prep, parents laundry, for you to have no life due to covid, and somehow expect you to own a car and pay for both medical and car insurance on top of rates that won't barely cover rent and food. Oh and while I'd love to get paid above board, no one can can accept $20/hr taxed. That's like the cash below board rate for a nanny with hardly any experience. If you want an experienced *taxed* nanny, you need to pay $28-35.

[Anonymous]

I'm seeing plenty of people who are willing to pay more, but there are plenty of people who can't afford their own nanny who haven't realized that.

[Anonymous]

THIS !!!

[Anonymous]

So true, you're not crazy at all Lol. Though there are many parents willing to pay fair salary and benefits.

There are some though who will try to offer that rate even after speaking to the potential nanny & acknowledging what she brings to the table. Some will even post an Ad featuring desirable/competitive pay, only to have candidates apply and talk them into accepting a low pay. Some will advertise the pay in their Ad and then find a way to get you to accept $20 even after stating you many years of experience (and them mentioning how wonderful and qualified you sound).

The odd thing is that these are people generally upscale locations. This isnt referring to people who genuinely cant afford...many who cant afford go for day cares, nanny shares or other options...but somehow the ones trying to get an experienced nanny with 10, 12, 12, 18 yrs + for $20/hr, want to get the benefits of a nanny plus unrelated duties....not even considering the high demand, the COVID exposure risks & even limited life for nanny while providing benefits to their family & their children of staying home and away from risk of infection from other children/day cares etc.

Also seen the extra requirements like languages & willingness to limit social life etc which experienced nannies have & maybe willing to do but it does come with a price. One requirement i've seen also discussed on forums lately is requiring the type of transportation has or manny in which a nanny gets to work when it has no relevant connection to the actual duties (not referring to positions requiring school/activities pick up, errands, house keeping).

Some posts mention that children wont need to be driven etc and the ad will state *primary duties* yet driving is not one of them but they'll some how require it as a way to justify low pay or change their mind after meeting & agreeing with a candidate (...its okay to just respectfully pass someone)

Fear for infection is very understandable but now that we have vaccines and if a nanny can prove that she's vaccinated and COVID conscious, wears masks etc, I don't see why her owning a car is relevant for COVID prevention. If you require a nanny that only drives her car whether you'd be using it or not, do understand that the nanny has to pay gas, upkeep, insurance, car note etc.

Some nannies can have 2 cars at home and some may only have one car which the spouse uses and if the pay is $20/hr in this area, you can't expect someone to own a car to get to & from work for the position. Now, those offering their car for nanny's duties, thats totally reasonable but do clarify that in your posts. Also, offering the car for nanny to use for position duties is not a reason to entice her to accept a salary that does not reflect her qualifications and experience.

I think what's going on is maybe some parents who originally opted for daycare due to its pricing have found themselves having to seek private child care with a nanny to protect the children from COVID (understandable). But many seem to not understand why daycares and private child care have different benefits & features which makes their pricing different. So trying to pay a private nanny the same as you would a day care isn't right. There's other options like home day cares or nanny shares that can still over some kind of low COVID risk at a cheaper rate than a nanny.

At this point, $20/hr 800/wk full time is generally below going rate for an experienced nanny. I think if a family wants someone with less experience/just starting out (clearly mentioned in Ad), thats fine and may get them a reasonable candidate who will do the job well. The price may attract candidates as well who most likely would be young or in college. But the problem is that some parents expect to get someone with many years of experience plus extra requirements.

To nannies: if your qualities and experience plus area going rate, justify your rate and its reasonable but are offered a low pay, my go to is to respectfully decline. You can still respect those families without selling yourself short and negatively affecting your life, and thats by simply moving on. It may take a while but someone will respect your services and want to pay fairly.
Best wishes all!

[francismanning118]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone else seeing parents offering incredibly low rates in DC even though there is a national nanny shortage going on? $20/hr was the going rate here back in 2013. A nanny with 15+ yrs of experience should not be finding everyone offering $20/hr only when that's only a few dollars more than minimum wage!

Then they also want you to speak another language, do dinner prep, parents laundry, for you to have no life due to covid, and somehow expect you to own a car and pay for both medical and car insurance on top of rates that won't barely cover rent and food. Oh and while I'd love to get paid above board, no one can can accept $20/hr taxed. That's like the cash below board rate for a nanny with hardly any experience. If you want an experienced *taxed* nanny, you need to pay $28-35.

They want a platonick wife,! You would have to pay me $100/hr to even consider such a position

[Anonymous]

Is $30 an hour good for a share?

[Anonymous]

That's true. Same here. Other important thing beside the low rates $; Some families asking: Speak another language and teach their children for free. Nanny own a car and use it for work; to drive their children. (What about the wear and tear beside the gas?) And No only asking light-housekeeping related to their kids, which is normal and tasks for the Nanny. Even worse, asking now do the Whole family laundry, family cooking, clean the kitchen, vacuum the house? I think they should know a little more about what is the difference between a Nanny and a Housekeeper position. This is shocking and very disappointing. A professional Nanny won't take a position like that. Sorry parents. With this a simple "Next".

[Anonymous]

The going rate is what someone is willing to pay you.

[Anonymous]

$20/hr is not a terrible wage for a new nanny to make. What wage do you think you should be earning? Hold out until you find a family willing to pay that wage. For many new nannies, $20/hr is a good job.

[Anonymous]

We pay $25 per hour and I think that's reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$20/hr is not a terrible wage for a new nanny to make. What wage do you think you should be earning? Hold out until you find a family willing to pay that wage. For many new nannies, $20/hr is a good job.

Exactly. You just said it. For a new nanny without any experience in the Nanny field or college student might works. No for highly experienced nannies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$20/hr is not a terrible wage for a new nanny to make. What wage do you think you should be earning? Hold out until you find a family willing to pay that wage. For many new nannies, $20/hr is a good job.

Exactly. You just said it. For a new nanny without any experience in the Nanny field or college student might works. No for highly experienced nannies.

If I'm a parent and I can't afford a nanny with experience and I'm happy with a nanny who doesn't have experience, there is nothing wrong with advertising and offering $20/hr. I don't get vocal about jobs offering $18/hr in my field for those right out of college. I wouldn't take an interview for that amount because it doesn't match my experience level. I also don't judge how much money my employer has and then get upset when they won't pay more. If I don't have the justification for the higher pay, it doesn't matter if the company makes billions or not.

[Anonymous]

Parents are advertising cheap rates and want experience. I’ve never seen an ad for someone looking for a nanny without experience. What your friends paid 15-20$ years ago doesn’t apply to todays rates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$20/hr is not a terrible wage for a new nanny to make. What wage do you think you should be earning? Hold out until you find a family willing to pay that wage. For many new nannies, $20/hr is a good job.

Exactly. You just said it. For a new nanny without any experience in the Nanny field or college student might works. No for highly experienced nannies.

If I'm a parent and I can't afford a nanny with experience and I'm happy with a nanny who doesn't have experience, there is nothing wrong with advertising and offering $20/hr. I don't get vocal about jobs offering $18/hr in my field for those right out of college. I wouldn't take an interview for that amount because it doesn't match my experience level. I also don't judge how much money my employer has and then get upset when they won't pay more. If I don't have the justification for the higher pay, it doesn't matter if the company makes billions or not.


You made a good point. But keep in mind that no any Family/parents would be willing to hire a new nanny without experience. That would be so risky for them. Their children are their whole world so they need someone who they can really trust with and have enough experience and enough qualifications to do take care of their children. On top of that; it's really sad when they want to pay $20.. bef taxes and still want the nanny cook for them, do all parents laundry and clean the house too. It's a huge difference help with lighthouse keeping related to the children and do the whole Housekeeping, family cooking, family laundry, cleaning the house, and even asking to clean the bathrooms. It would be great if parents would know what it's a Nanny position and what is a Housekeeper position; before they decide to start looking for a nanny. This it would be so helpful for everyone. So all parents and nannies would take very seriously and with so much respect the communication when they contact each other.