We had a live out nanny when the kids were little and then moved to an AuPair not realizing the huge difference between the two types of childcare, plus our old nanny always cleaned up the house and was an EXCELLENT manager of all things domestic. I really miss having that. Our old nanny has just gotten a divorce and is now renting a room and is a live out for another family now. I asked her how long she was going to work for that family and if she would consider coming back as a live in with some official housekeeping duties since the kids are much bigger now and spend time in school. At first she said she was loyal to her current family, but just reached back out and said she can’t get my offer out of her head and how much would I pay. I’m really not sure. We get along wonderfully and have kept her close to us over the years she has not been with us. She adores our children and they love her as well. She is 40yrs old and drama free and has a pristine driving record. Please see the below job description and let me know what would be a fair rate for the below:
Live-In Nanny/Housekeeper Job Description: Start Date: March 14th Childcare Duties: March 14-June14th 5yr old will be in Kindergarten from the hours 11:35-2:35, but will sometimes do an afterschool program and stay until 3:30 9yr old will be in Fourth Grade and will be in school from 7:40-2:35,but will sometimes do an afterschool program and stay until 3:30 Nanny will be responsible for making the kids a healthy snack after school, making sure 9yr old and 5yr old get physical activity, and making sure 9yr old starts on his homework and does his chores MB to normally arrive home around 5PM In the morning, before school, Nanny is responsible for making sure 5yr old gets some physical activity. Nanny is responsible for working with 5yr old on his letters, numbers, sounds and to read to him. MB & DB will NOT be home 2 mornings a week (they go to the gym and then straight to work). on those two mornings, the nanny will be responsible for getting 9yr old off to school The other 3 mornings, MB will get 9yr old off to school and 5yr old out of bed. On those mornings, the Nanny will start working around 8:30AM. MB & DB will need some flexibility in the mornings. Nanny will be responsible for packing healthy lunches the day before. Childcare Hours will be approx. 32hrs/wk June 15th-End of August/Beginning of September? SUMMER Typical Hours will be from 8:30AM-5PM However the kids will be signed up about 7 out of the 10 summer weeks for various camps, some weeks full day some half day. The nanny will be responsible for taking the kids to camp and picking them up. The nanny will be expected to allow the kids to have friends over and also drop them to go to their friends’ houses to play. Childcare Hours will range from 20/wk-45/wk. Start of 2016-2017 School Year 9yr old & 5yr old will be in school from 7:40-2:35,but will sometimes do an afterschool program and stay until 3:30 **Same as above, except 5yr old will not be home in the morning Childcare Hours will be approx. 17hrs/wk Nanny will be working all Teacher work days and snow days. Sometimes MB stays home and can let the nanny have the time off if she is not too busy with work. Nanny will sometimes be asked to help out on the weekday evenings when MB or DB have to run errands, or when they need help getting the kids to sports practices/activities, this might happen at most 3x a month and will be at advanced notice. Nanny will get first right of refusal for extra paid weekend work when the opportunity arises. Housekeeping Duties: Wash and fold all laundry Keep closets organized and kids clothes that do not fit, either passed down to 5yr old, thrown out, or donated. Keep house picked up Walk the dog in the middle of the day (or let her outside in the back if the weather is bad) Shop for weekly groceries Do some basic meal prep a few days a week (mainly just wash and chop veggies & fruit, maybe defrost meat, marinade meat, chop meat) Sweep main level floors Wipe down surfaces, counters, and bathroom sinks Make sure the kids clean their rooms and keep on top of their chores Run errands such as drop off dry cleaning/change oil in cars/pick up something from the grocery store if needed Keep a running list of what supplies are needed at the house. Go to Costco & Target as needed for shopping. **Nanny will not be expected to do heavy cleaning. We have a weekly cleaning service for that. Benefits: Furnished basement bedroom and separate bathroom Use of car for driving kids $50 monthly phone allowance Welcome to join the family at dinner when we are cooking Healthcare allowance $150/mo Paid for 52 weeks a year 2 weeks paid vacation (not to be taken in the months of August or September) 10 paid sick days All Federal Holidays off Possibly more time off, if the family takes extra time. |
Well, given that this is something you'd work out for someone you know, who is currently employed, I'd start with what she's currently earning.
Take her current rate and see if you can manage to pay her something like 80% of that, in additional to the full benefits package you detailed. Then make her that offer and see if it appeals to her. A fair amount depends on the cost of living in your area of course, and on whether you can afford something close to full-time care. But it sounds like potentially a dream scenario if you can! |
Just ask her what she'd be really happy with. |
OP, how many years has it been since she worked for you? What was her hourly rate then? One way to approach the pay issue is to offer her the same amount or slightly more than she made for you in the past, which would take into account a small "discount" for LI based on what she would be making if she still worked for you. I hope that makes sense?
For example, if she made $15/hour her last year with you as a LO, and she has been gone 3 years, assuming you give a $1 raise each year, she would be at $18 now if she had stayed with you. Therefore you would pay her $15 - $15.50 as a LI now. One other thing is that I would simplify the hours issue by making nanny's hours 6/6:30 - 5/5:30 2 days and 8:30 - 5:30 3 days year round. That eliminates the need to constantly count hours, gives nanny a steady income, and insures that you'll have care for the inevitable sick days, as well as days when there is no school. It also allows nanny to manage her tasks most effectively, since she sounds like a self-starter who is a pro at house management from your description. So with the minor change to hours, (22 + 27 = 49) it sounds like a good package. Hope it works out for you! |
OP here. Thanks for the feedback.
She is currently making $15/hr. When she worked for me she made $13/hr, but brought her stepson with her who was the age of my oldest. She is now divorced and the stepson lives with his dad. I think 15 sounds good for a guaranteed 40hrs a week. When both kids are in school full time, she will have a lot of free time on her hands and knowing her she would probably pick up a PT nanny job. |
$13-15 is more than reasonable given its a live in, phone and health care allowance and food. |
OP, if you are paying her for 40 hours when both kids are in school, any other job she has needs to be one where she can drop everything and leave if your kids need her. And that sort of job is likely tough to find!
You'd be guaranteeing her hours/wages, so she needs to guarantee you availability! |
OP here. I work from home a.decent amount and am 10min to their school. I get maybe 3 calls a year. As long as the housekeeping duties are complete, I would not prevent her from trying to make extra income. She of course would need to handle the snow days and teacher work days and sick days. |