The $15 per hour nanny

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I make $17 an hour and I don't have much experience. I'm fresh out of college. Just because you're bitter doesn't mean everyone else is. I'm perfectly content with this job for the time being. Like I said, it pays the bills. I'm just trying to say that so many nannies try to turn what started as a convenient job for high school and college kids into a lifelong career. It was never meant for that. I'm not sure why anyone would willingly choose to stay in this situation. I'm happy for you if you're paid well and love the family you work for. But stop settling because of comfort and convenience and have some aspirations in life!

You may certainly speak for yourself, but that's about it. Sorry.


My salary/benefits are better than preschool teachers. Am very pleased that I get to follow my dreams of working with babies/young children, and make a good living. Lucky me and lots of other nannies to.

+1

You can nanny in the interim before something else. Others of us returned to nannying after finding a high-powered job wasn't as fulfilling. This notion that unless you dream of being a CEO you can't consider yourself successful is bunk. I spend the majority of my waking hours at work - I need to love my job and it needs to pay me well enough that I can enjoy my leisure time too. If nannying does that for me, who are you to say I don't have goals and aspirations? I do, for your information, they just aren't work related.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't need a college degree to be a nanny. You need one to be lawyer. You need one to be a doctor. You need one to be a psychiatrist. The difference in salaries reflects this. Stop thinking that taking a few community college courses on child development makes you "more qualified."

Who are you responding to?

Also, having any knowledge of child development does make someone more qualified than a person who doesn't.

Yes, but you can learn about child development by reading books and through experience as well. You can take a short course that might be over a few weekends, compared to taking many classes over several years. Like one PP above said, while that extra education is nice to have, it is not necessary to raise a child or teach them basic things every day. A SAHM learns through experience and reading books for new moms.

Are the people saying that a "professional nanny" has to have a college degree, also saying that a SAHM cannot raise their child just as good as you being a nanny to someone else's child, just because they didn't get a degree in ECE? I would consider someone to be a professional nanny if they have plenty of experience, if they like to continue learning about kids (whether it is school or just reading more books on their own), they ACT like a professional about their job instead of like a teenager that has an after school job at the mall, if they have passion about their work and strive to do their best and keep getting better. I don't think that a professional has to have a degree. Anyone can get a degree and not have the passion, really care about what they are doing, or really want to work with the parents as well as with the kids. If a nanny I hire has basic knowledge of learning development (from reading books and just being around many different kids over the years), then really, WHY does someone need to hire a "professional" nanny if they aren't interested in the "extra" care that she can provide? If I just want my child having fun and learning basic stuff before moving on to spending half days at preschool and then on to FT school starting with Kindergarten, then why should I pay more to get someone that has more education? If I find someone that I really like without the extra education, I would rather invest in them and give them bonuses and raises (while they get more experience) and keep them on and have them eventually getting paid a great rate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you, 19:01, for posting. The reason why most good nannies are nannies, is because they really love to care for children. It's such an embarrassing shame how many parents look down on those who are raising their children. It seems that for many of these parents, the children are just another commodity to add to their portfolios.

Some of you guys simply don't understand supply / demand economics. Nannies often balk at getting paid anything less than $45k/year, but keep in mind that the number of people who can afford to pay $55k/year (including employer taxes and other costs plus salary) AFTER TAX on a nanny need to bring in a significant amount of $$$. And the reality is that there are only so many couple who make well over $250k/year employing nannies. The demand just isn't there and then there is a LOT of competition for those high paying jobs.

Sorry, but that doesn't mean parents look down on a nanny or don't value the nanny. The going rate for an inexperienced nanny for 1-2 kids is just simply not over $15/hour.

+1

[Anonymous]

I can't imagine leaving my child with an inexperienced nanny. What makes you think she's a nanny?

[Anonymous]

I think some of you are just finding reasons why an educated nanny doesn't deserve more money. Maybe its not something you in particular value, but someone who has put in the time and work to achieve a degree should certainly see that reflected in their pay, just as they would in any other field that requires a modicum of expertise. No one is saying that a SAHM isn't skilled at raising children, however not all of them read mountains of books or did tons of research. They just kind of do it. There are amazing SAHMs and there are lazy unmotivated SAHMs just like anything else. A nanny who has taken the time and put in the effort to educate herself is more than likely quite driven and focused, not to mention passionate about her chosen field. It's not the degree, but what went into it that makes her a more valuable nanny. You can be willing to pay for that, or you can settle for the woman who you can't communicate with but will work for minimum wage. To each their own right?

[Anonymous]

Hire illegal nannies their work for $20 a week,and feed your baby with lots junk,candy and coca cola,high nanny don't do that .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think some of you are just finding reasons why an educated nanny doesn't deserve more money. Maybe its not something you in particular value, but someone who has put in the time and work to achieve a degree should certainly see that reflected in their pay, just as they would in any other field that requires a modicum of expertise. No one is saying that a SAHM isn't skilled at raising children, however not all of them read mountains of books or did tons of research. They just kind of do it. There are amazing SAHMs and there are lazy unmotivated SAHMs just like anything else. A nanny who has taken the time and put in the effort to educate herself is more than likely quite driven and focused, not to mention passionate about her chosen field. It's not the degree, but what went into it that makes her a more valuable nanny. You can be willing to pay for that, or you can settle for the woman who you can't communicate with but will work for minimum wage. To each their own right?

But this misses the whole point of this thread. "The $15/hr nanny" I also really don't want an educator or governess for my child. I have experience in child development. When my child was an infant, I had age appropriate toys and activities available. When she got older, she went to preschool for more formal learning. Like a PP, I needed someone with common sense, loving, kind, and a good work ethic. Our nanny was a legal immigrant with child care experience. She made $15-17 for one child, was paid legally, and had pretty standard benefits. She took wonderful care of our daughter and was a great partner in both child care and for helping our household run smoothly in general. (I work shift work, so she was only there three days a week, but also worked one or two evenings and overnights during the week.)

That's great if someone wants or needs your expertise and is willing to pay $20+/hr for it. But, it's kind of obnoxious to insinuate that those of who don't are automatically settling for an illegal, nonenglish speaking person and are paying them minimum wage.

[Anonymous]

I can't believe you nannies are bitching about $15/hour. So many ridiculous people on this forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe you nannies are bitching about $15/hour. So many ridiculous people on this forum.

What do you get paid?
Or are you the troll?

[Anonymous]

08:15 - I'm a nanny with a degree, teaching experience, and nanny experience. I am in the higher pay bracket. You don't want, you say, a nanny who will teach your child or who has extra qualifications and that's fine - I have always agreed there are good and bad nannies at every pay grade. But what I will say is that there is an enormous difference between the way I interact with my charges and the way the other young, HS-graduate nannies interact with theirs. They are snippy, impatient, disinterested and too busy gossiping with other nannies to play. Me? I'm on the floor pushing trucks, rolling hula hoops, and chasing down stray balls. Again this isn't true universally but it is true enough that others have commented on it. 9/10 of my nanny friends are also college grads bc I can't stand to spend any part of my day with nannies who complain about their job - and those of us who worked our way through school are, on the whole, way more appreciative.

Fwiw the other great nannies I see are 40+ Latina women who are just LOVELY with the kids (although I don't speak enough Spanish to get to know them personally).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:08:15 - I'm a nanny with a degree, teaching experience, and nanny experience. I am in the higher pay bracket. You don't want, you say, a nanny who will teach your child or who has extra qualifications and that's fine - I have always agreed there are good and bad nannies at every pay grade. But what I will say is that there is an enormous difference between the way I interact with my charges and the way the other young, HS-graduate nannies interact with theirs. They are snippy, impatient, disinterested and too busy gossiping with other nannies to play. Me? I'm on the floor pushing trucks, rolling hula hoops, and chasing down stray balls. Again this isn't true universally but it is true enough that others have commented on it. 9/10 of my nanny friends are also college grads bc I can't stand to spend any part of my day with nannies who complain about their job - and those of us who worked our way through school are, on the whole, way more appreciative.

Fwiw the other great nannies I see are 40+ Latina women who are just LOVELY with the kids (although I don't speak enough Spanish to get to know them personally).

8:15 here. Our nanny was a middle aged Latina women, and although she was great, I don't really have enough experience to generalize

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've always thought that the wonderful thing about being a Career Nanny is that your wages could always go up. There will always be wealthier families willing to pay you more than you made in your last position. Lazy nannies with little to no experience and no qualifications aren't going to be eligible for higher paying positions but there are some nannies out there who make more than a lot of the MBs on this forum make.

Also, it is not a great job market out there. I think that a lot of nannies expect to obtain a wonderful, well-paying position within the first week that they start looking. In order to get a great position we need to weed through the job postings just like parents need to weed through applicants when choosing a nanny.

It took me several months of looking several times every single day on multiple sources in able to find the great position where I am now. It is worth the wait to find a well-paying position where you are appreciated and respected. Budget accordingly so that if something does happen to your job last minute you don't need to scramble and accept the first job that you are offered. Accept temporary positions while searching extensively for a long term position. Babysit to bring in extra cash during your search.m

Some good advice here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:08:15 - I'm a nanny with a degree, teaching experience, and nanny experience. I am in the higher pay bracket. You don't want, you say, a nanny who will teach your child or who has extra qualifications and that's fine - I have always agreed there are good and bad nannies at every pay grade. But what I will say is that there is an enormous difference between the way I interact with my charges and the way the other young, HS-graduate nannies interact with theirs. They are snippy, impatient, disinterested and too busy gossiping with other nannies to play. Me? I'm on the floor pushing trucks, rolling hula hoops, and chasing down stray balls. Again this isn't true universally but it is true enough that others have commented on it. 9/10 of my nanny friends are also college grads bc I can't stand to spend any part of my day with nannies who complain about their job - and those of us who worked our way through school are, on the whole, way more appreciative.

Fwiw the other great nannies I see are 40+ Latina women who are just LOVELY with the kids (although I don't speak enough Spanish to get to know them personally).

Honestly, I don't doubt that high-end nannies exist and offer something qualitatively different, but I think you picked the wrong example to illustrate your point. You don't ignore your charges? You don't snap at them? You get on the floor to play with trucks and chase balls? That's...like...basic. I do all that with my son. And I'm not a high-end mother, just a regular one. You want to make an example of a difference between a professional nanny and a glorified babysitter, pick a better one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:08:15 - I'm a nanny with a degree, teaching experience, and nanny experience. I am in the higher pay bracket. You don't want, you say, a nanny who will teach your child or who has extra qualifications and that's fine - I have always agreed there are good and bad nannies at every pay grade. But what I will say is that there is an enormous difference between the way I interact with my charges and the way the other young, HS-graduate nannies interact with theirs. They are snippy, impatient, disinterested and too busy gossiping with other nannies to play. Me? I'm on the floor pushing trucks, rolling hula hoops, and chasing down stray balls. Again this isn't true universally but it is true enough that others have commented on it. 9/10 of my nanny friends are also college grads bc I can't stand to spend any part of my day with nannies who complain about their job - and those of us who worked our way through school are, on the whole, way more appreciative.

Fwiw the other great nannies I see are 40+ Latina women who are just LOVELY with the kids (although I don't speak enough Spanish to get to know them personally).

Honestly, I don't doubt that high-end nannies exist and offer something qualitatively different, but I think you picked the wrong example to illustrate your point. You don't ignore your charges? You don't snap at them? You get on the floor to play with trucks and chase balls? That's...like...basic. I do all that with my son. And I'm not a high-end mother, just a regular one. You want to make an example of a difference between a professional nanny and a glorified babysitter, pick a better one.

Not sure what you're talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:08:15 - I'm a nanny with a degree, teaching experience, and nanny experience. I am in the higher pay bracket. You don't want, you say, a nanny who will teach your child or who has extra qualifications and that's fine - I have always agreed there are good and bad nannies at every pay grade. But what I will say is that there is an enormous difference between the way I interact with my charges and the way the other young, HS-graduate nannies interact with theirs. They are snippy, impatient, disinterested and too busy gossiping with other nannies to play. Me? I'm on the floor pushing trucks, rolling hula hoops, and chasing down stray balls. Again this isn't true universally but it is true enough that others have commented on it. 9/10 of my nanny friends are also college grads bc I can't stand to spend any part of my day with nannies who complain about their job - and those of us who worked our way through school are, on the whole, way more appreciative.

Fwiw the other great nannies I see are 40+ Latina women who are just LOVELY with the kids (although I don't speak enough Spanish to get to know them personally).

Honestly, I don't doubt that high-end nannies exist and offer something qualitatively different, but I think you picked the wrong example to illustrate your point. You don't ignore your charges? You don't snap at them? You get on the floor to play with trucks and chase balls? That's...like...basic. I do all that with my son. And I'm not a high-end mother, just a regular one. You want to make an example of a difference between a professional nanny and a glorified babysitter, pick a better one.

Not sure what you're talking about.

Thought I was clear, let's try again.

The nanny above said, "there is an enormous difference between the way I interact with my charges and the way the other young, HS-graduate nannies interact with theirs. They are snippy, impatient, disinterested and too busy gossiping with other nannies to play. Me? I'm on the floor pushing trucks, rolling hula hoops, and chasing down stray balls. " What I'm saying is that these things, while great, to me are basic, average nanny skills. What exactly here is a sign of a highly experienced, educated nanny? That she isn't snippy or impatient and that she gets down on the floor to play with her charges? To me, these things are basic expectations of any nanny. Not a hallmark of a highly experienced, educated professional. Again, I'm sure that highly experienced, educated nannies make a difference, I just think that the example cited did not explain that difference very well.