Why are you surprised that we intend to negotiate? Do you not go into salary discussions expecting a negotiation? I'm surprised that some of you are surprised. This is normal.

OP, if she accepted the rate you offered, and she is as fabulous as you say, she isn't desperate and probably is perfectly happy with the rate. Where you're going to run into issues is, if at her annual review, she has been amazing all year, you'd love to keep her, but she wants a raise and you're at the top of your range. What then? If you decide to go with her, you should have a plan for what you'll do for raises or in lieu of raises in order to keep her.

It seems interesting that nannys think by by asking for a higher rate they think they can negotiate. And employers seem to have a different thought process.
As am MB, I would have never thought about negating. I would have assumed I could or could not afford the nanny at the rate they want. The nanny that comes to the table with a reasonable rate would win out for me.

I always start out at a higher rate so I have room to negotiate. I would never start at my desired rate.
This is pretty common. No quite sure why you're worried.

I am diff antler open to a nannyshare, but I don't think anyone would want a newborn plus 2 other kids to take care of. That would be a lot of work. We may look into that once the baby gets older.

OP here what made her more attractive to us vs the other people we interviewed with was:
She is older and already raised her own kids. So, she has years of experience. Plus she has a long list of references.
All of her references bent over backwards saying "she was the best nanny we have ever had."
She was extremely playful with my daughter during the interview. She was only at our house for an hour or so and my daughter wanted to go home with her. (We have interviewed 12 ppl and my daughter didn't react like that to anyone.)
She was dressed very presentable and polished at the interview.
Each family she has worked for has kept her for 3+ years. And we want someone that will stay around. I don't want to keep changing nannies.

As for $18 and hour being on the high end. We interviewed 12ppl and only one person asked for less than $20. She actually wanted $17. Every single candidate "charged 20+ for two kids) we are in Arlington. So, maybe the rates are lower in other places. I am not sure. We did pay our last nanny 17.5 in a share for two kids. So, she was about on target for the $18.

Anonymous wrote:she gave a higher rate so she had run to negotiate down. she wouldn't have accepted if it was completely out of her acceptable range (unless she was desperate.)

What makes you think that?

she gave a higher rate so she had run to negotiate down. she wouldn't have accepted if it was completely out of her acceptable range (unless she was desperate.)

OP, are there other perks that you could offer her? We were in a similar situation, but the nanny really liked our family and vice versa. Having a flexible start time in the mornings was important to her, so we arranged that. We also gave her three weeks of vacation instead of two.

I wouldn't worry about it too much - if you're in the DMV area then $18 an hour is on the higher end. There is a chance she priced her hourly a bit higher so she had room to negotiate and that $18 was either her target rate or close enough to that she accepted.

I would worry about that too, OP. I find it really have to believe it is so hard to find someone.

Don't worry about that op. right now I'm making 10 per hr. it is what the family can afford. They are great bosses so I have been here for 2 years. They have never given me a raise. I know I could make more but working for nice people is important to me so I stay.

OP, what all did you find more attractive about your preferred, but more expensive, candidate?

Your rate is very fair. Your nanny candidate did what was appropriate. She entered into a negotiation with you over the rate and accepted your offer. I would give her the benefit of the doubt and say that if she accepted, she is happy with the job and will be a great nanny for you.

If her performance turns out to be lacking, or she complains about the rate later, then you have something to worry about. Now, just be happy you are able to hire the nanny you want at a fair and mutually agreed upon rate.

I'd worry about that too, and would look into a nanny share to cut your costs.

So, we have been interviewing nannies for the last week. We have had hired nannies before, so this isn't "new" for us. However, it is hard to find people during the winter. We have found 2 good candidates, however they are asking for more than we have ever paid a nanny. Our top choice probably deserves $20/ hr due to her experience. She has raised her own kids and has many years of experience. We would absolutely love to have her, but we cannot afford $20. I only have one child and expecting another in a few months. When, I told how much we loved her but could not pay. She asked what we could pay. I told her the top of our range for two kids is $18. And, she said she would accept it. While I feel very blessed, I am nervous because I know she really wants more. And, I am afraid she will work for us and always be unhappy with her salary and it will be hard for us to give her a raise every year. Our oldest is in part time preschool. So, we are paying for preschool plus a nanny. We do think it is fair to pay her for both kids while my daughter is in school because she is reserving her time for us. I guess my question is, am I being to paranoid that she will be unhappy and leave? Or should I just be thrilled she is willing to take the job for what we can pay?