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[quote=Anonymous]I am writing from a moderately large city, not DC (rates here are slightly lower than in DC). In my time living here (4 years) I've never had any trouble finding nanny jobs at $13-15/hr (I don't accept jobs for less than $13/hr, and obviously expect more when more work is involved). I have full time employment between two great families at $15/hr each (two kids each; not a share so no more than two kids at a time), and I've been working with them for three years and one year, respectively.

I've been considering taking on an evening and or weekend nanny job as well, and I saw a post from a local nanny agency on care.com last week. It said "local family in X neighborhood with two young children needs help Monday through Thursday 6pm-9pm and every other Saturday 11am-3pm. Nanny is expected to prepare meals, wash dishes, sweep, vacuum, bathe children and put them to bed. Apply directly with agency, $12-14/hr."

They live in my neighborhood and the hours seemed perfect for me, so I applied. I filled out their lengthy application online (including work history for the past decade, my address, education, certifications, references, lengthy bio about me and lots of specific questions about my preferred child-rearing styles, my comfortability with specific household related tasks, my transportation, my personal habits (such as do you smoke) my availability, and so forth). I filled it out, then received a follow up email from the agency stating they would be contacting my references, and asked me some more specific questions ("how would you handle this specific scenario?" How would you handle that specific scenario?" Etc). I responded with my answers.

Then, the next day, they sent me this: "We noticed in your application that you said your preferred rate of compensation is $13-16/hr, depending upon position requirements. Our policy is that all nannies who register with us start at $12/hr, regardless of other factors. Raises are available on a yearly basis. Would you like to move forward with your application?"

My reaction is: WHAT THE F***?

So, even though I have a bachelors degree in ECE, and TWELVE years of full time nanny experience, I have to start at the same rate of pay as EVERYONE who applies, regardless of education or experience?? And, EVERY job pays the same, regardless of how many children or household duties are required in the position??

I just...can't even. I've worked with two other nanny agencies before (one in DC before I moved, one here), and neither of them had such a ridiculous policy (they both allowed families to set a rate and work with nannies together to agree on compensation both parties were happy with).

The thing that bothers me the most about this policy is, from a practical business standpoint, doesn't that ONLY attract under qualified nannies? Because any nanny who has experience and education will know that she is worth more than that, especially for a job with two young children and housekeeping duties! Also it bugs me that on care.com it says $12-14/hr, but clearly no one who applies through care.com is going to get a penny over $12/hr; seems very deceptive to me!

What do you all think about this policy? Have you ever heard of an agency with a policy like this before?
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