The $15 per hour nanny

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As $15/hr becomes the new minimum wage then the $15/hr nanny is a thing if the past. Wal-,Mart is now giving Wage of $11/hr. A $15/hr nanny would be better off working there.

Yes, I agree. That $15 number is from five years ago. The minimal starting nanny rate is more like $20/hr now. More established nannies are earning $30+ per hour. That's still not a lot to live on in this area, especially if you have a car loan or college debt.

[Anonymous]

an old employer of mine was mystified when she couldn't find anyone to nanny for her son for twenty hours a week for $15/hour. like of course you're not going to find anyone "good". just because you think the job is easy doesn't mean someone will be able to support themselves on it. and then that person will be unable to cover for you in the event of a sick day, a snow day, or date night-they would have to have other jobs to supplement that income. she also didn't do guaranteed hours. completely unrealistic.

[Anonymous]

So many parents have been led to believe they can get a good nanny for cheap. Most of them end up with broken-English sitters who need detailed directions on a daily basis.

It's all so sad for the children. Many of them end up with special needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So many parents have been led to believe they can get a good nanny for cheap. Most of them end up with broken-English sitters who need detailed directions on a daily basis.

It's all so sad for the children. Many of them end up with special needs.

Do you have any evidence to support that last claim?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So many parents have been led to believe they can get a good nanny for cheap. Most of them end up with broken-English sitters who need detailed directions on a daily basis.

It's all so sad for the children. Many of them end up with special needs.

Do you have any evidence to support that last claim?

Does early environment matter? Of course it does. Does quality of care matter? Of course it does. Poor quality of care has consequences.

Do you wish you had a "warm body" custodial sitter when you were little? Wait. Never mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just for kicks, would anyone care to sketch a hypothetical budget for a DC area live-out nanny earning $15 per hour? Guesstimate 30% for taxes, rent, utilities, student loans, car loans, food, clothing, etc., etc.
I am wondering how they do it.

This is from five years ago. And some of you people want to offer $16/hr. today? You've lost your marbles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not a nanny but I do not understand why anyone wouId take care of a child for less than $30.00 an hour. Some of you are taking care of two or three for less than $20/hr. Crazy.

Because bills need paying, lady.

What's your general budget if you can pay the bills on $15/hr? Or do you have to work an insane number of hours just to make ends meet?

I live in a metropolitan area outside of the greater DC area and here, most nannies are paid off the books. So a FT nanny @ 45 hours/week makes $35K after tax. I know this does not account for 5 hours @ OT pay, but an off books nanny typically doesn't get OT. Unlimited fare card for public transportation is generally included so no commuting costs. Nannies live outside the city center so rent is cheaper, let's say if living alone, rent is $1K monthly, so disposable income of about $2K a month. A single nanny can definitely live on that and if frugal, save a little every month. Not so for a nanny who is the sole wage earner. The nannies I have come across typically are either single young women or in a two (or more) earner household.

True that most parents are still paying babysitters off the books.

[Anonymous]

Kids wants support, discipline and love. Use the language of love.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just for kicks, would anyone care to sketch a hypothetical budget for a DC area live-out nanny earning $15 per hour? Guesstimate 30% for taxes, rent, utilities, student loans, car loans, food, clothing, etc., etc.
I am wondering how they do it.

This is from five years ago. And some of you people want to offer $16/hr. today? You've lost your marbles.

This.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just for kicks, would anyone care to sketch a hypothetical budget for a DC area live-out nanny earning $15 per hour? Guesstimate 30% for taxes, rent, utilities, student loans, car loans, food, clothing, etc., etc.
I am wondering how they do it.

We got a nanny that performed the following for 15.00 in DC

Here is what she did more or less
- she is responsible for meals (or bottles), cleaning up after meals, cooking food for them, etc...
- she does the kids' laundry, bedding, maintains orderliness of play areas, etc...
- she helps me organize their clothes/buy new/rotate out old, etc...
- she drives my kids all over the place - lessons, activities, preschool, library, park....
- she has responsibility for my kids in and outside the home
- she is expected to maintain the household schedule (naps, bottles, bedtimes if appropriate), and disciplinary approach
- she is a partner w/ us in establishing schedules and systems and evolving as the kids grow
- she has, on occasion, stayed overnight w/ the kids and been the responsible party while we travelled out of town
- she is the designated person to contact in an emergency if a parent is unavailable and a child needs to be picked up from school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just for kicks, would anyone care to sketch a hypothetical budget for a DC area live-out nanny earning $15 per hour? Guesstimate 30% for taxes, rent, utilities, student loans, car loans, food, clothing, etc., etc.
I am wondering how they do it.

We got a nanny that performed the following for 15.00 in DC

Here is what she did more or less
- she is responsible for meals (or bottles), cleaning up after meals, cooking food for them, etc...
- she does the kids' laundry, bedding, maintains orderliness of play areas, etc...
- she helps me organize their clothes/buy new/rotate out old, etc...
- she drives my kids all over the place - lessons, activities, preschool, library, park....
- she has responsibility for my kids in and outside the home
- she is expected to maintain the household schedule (naps, bottles, bedtimes if appropriate), and disciplinary approach
- she is a partner w/ us in establishing schedules and systems and evolving as the kids grow
- she has, on occasion, stayed overnight w/ the kids and been the responsible party while we travelled out of town
- she is the designated person to contact in an emergency if a parent is unavailable and a child needs to be picked up from school

You make her sound like a real professional.
1. Why would she settle for $15/hr when she could easily double that?
2. How does she live on that in this area? Is there someone else supporting her?

[Anonymous]

lol at $15 being outdated. Folks, plenty of high quality sitters out there even on a part time basis are good with $15.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:lol at $15 being outdated. Folks, plenty of high quality sitters out there even on a part time basis are good with $15.

I found a nanny in DC for 15.00.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:lol at $15 being outdated. Folks, plenty of high quality sitters out there even on a part time basis are good with $15.

I found a nanny in DC for 15.00.

Let us know how long she lasts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:lol at $15 being outdated. Folks, plenty of high quality sitters out there even on a part time basis are good with $15.

I love all the ppl saying the $15/hr nanny is high quality. Unless you’ve actually compared nannies, how would you even know what high quality was? Just bc you have a nanny and can now tell everyone that you have one doesn’t mean the $15/hr one is high quality. And FYI, the only ppl impressed by your $15/hr nanny are other cheap ppl.