Reply to Trying to get a sense for Nanny search/costs/interview process etc

Forum Index » General Discussion

Reply to "Trying to get a sense for Nanny search/costs/interview process etc"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]Congrats on your impending arrival!  If you search through prior threads, you'll get a feel for some of these issues, but here goes:

1. If we are looking for someone full time (to come in at 8 a.m. and leave around 6 p.m.)- what should we expect will be a fair pay.

In Mt. Pleasant, like most of NW DC, rates for an experienced nanny range anywhere from $15 on up.  I pay 17.50/hr, other MBs I know pay around this rate as well (that's not to say that others pay more or less, though).   As a point of comparison, nanny shares often pay around $20/hr ($10 per family).  We also provide a healthcare and transportation stipend.  With respect to overtime, you'll have 10 hrs/week and you have to make sure that you are in compliance with the law.  One way to do it is decide what AVERAGE rate you want to pay (i.e. $20 for ease of math) over the 50 hours, meaning that the first 40 hours are paid at 18.20, and the last ten are paid at 27.30. In the contract you specify explicitly that the first 40 hours are paid at x and the next 10 are paid at 1.5x, so there are no misunderstandings.  You will have other expenses in addition to the nannies salary: first and foremost, your portion of taxes, which drives up costs by about 10-15%, and then if you use a payroll service that can run about $1000/year, and then holiday and anniversary bonus (can range anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to a week's worth of pay - it's up to you), petty cash for the nanny (if you so choose), etc etc.  Basically you'll spend anywhere from 40K on up (depending on a variety of factors).  It's expensive.

2. We have the option of providing housing for our full time nanny. We have a complete separate fully stocked/furnished private english basement. If we have a live-in, what should we anticipate the cost will be? We live in Mount Pleasant.

Not sure about this... Perhaps you could determine what the fair market value of the housing arrangement would be - i.e. $2000, give the nanny a break on it, i.e. value it at $1400, and then subtract the value from the compensation rate (i.e. she'll make $350 less a week).

3. How do you work around the hours when someone in a live-in.

The same as if she were a live out.

4. If we live close to parks etc, would we need our nanny to have a driver's license, and drive our LO around?

I wish that we had hired a nanny who drives. At first you probably won't care if she can drive because she and your baby will be staying somehwat close to home, probably.  And there are tons of places you can go via public transportation from Mt. Pleasant.  But as your baby gets older, and there are some locations that are a pain to get to by public transportation (i.e. some of the splash parks).  Then, fast forward a few years - maybe you'll have your child in a preschool program or one of the montessoris or whatever a few days a week, and the location requires (or is much easier) with a car... Point being, if you intend to keep your nanny for the long haul, having her drive will make things easier down the road.

5. Can we expect that our nanny will also do light housework? Is this extra? We have a housekeeper currently who comes in twice a week.

Any baby related tasks - definately; general cleaning, dishes, etc, probably not, unless you pay extra.

6. If we wanted additional help like a night nurse a few nights a week, what should we expect in terms of costs.

No experience here, but the general rates I've heard quoted are about $30/hr.

7. When should I start interviewing for next May?

I would wait until a month or so before you are due.

8. Is it better to use an agency?

I don't think it makes much of a difference on quality, because you still have to vet the candidates quite carefully (don't trust the agencies' vetting procedures).  It also costs tons, but if you want someone to narrow the field for you, I supposed it could be useful.

Good luck with your search![/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics