I agree...She is trying to con you.

That is a lot of cash for watching two children.

She can take your offer or not.

If she chooses to walk away, I am confident you can find other candidates just as good.

I would have offered $18 and let her counter with $20.

Yikes, $25/hr for two kids in Springfield is crazy high.

$18-20/hr is very very good and she would be nuts to turn down that rate. Your experience, OP, is exactly why you need to set the rate for your job and never ask the nanny what she wants first. Her profile said $15-$25, which is very unreasonable and a clear sign she was planning to ask for more money than the job is worth.

Either that or she is extremely undereducated for the going rates in Springfield.

Either way, keep looking if she on't take $20/hr, as that is the highest end she should expect.

OP here. Thanks for the input. Well I offered her $20 so we will see what she says. Even that seems like a lot to me but from the responses its within the going rates for part time.

I don't know if its just this area or what but the culture makes it so difficult to work part-time. Its 60 hour week careers or stay at home moms. I felt so lucky that my job would even let me consider going part time after I return from maternity leave but with part time nanny rates it seems it may not even be worth it. But I digress.

And a nanny decides what *she* will work for. The problem is, OP interviewed a nanny outside of her range, and surprise surprise, she's the one they want. This nanny isn't going to accept $18, and if OP wants her, she needs to figure something out. If OP wants to pay $18 she needs to find a nanny in her pay range.

Actually, contrary to your assertions, it is a free market. The nanny decides among the opportunities she has available to her in the time that she needs a job. Unless she is working within a very elite clientele / neighborhood alteady, and those are the references she has, she is unlikely to be offered that much, no matter what her qualifications.

$18-20 an hour is standard for Springfield and most of the Dc area. 6000 sf + multiple car garage house an elite part of Potomac? No. Then you are more likely to get $22-25... but even then it is not guaranteed. I know several couples who are very well off and still pay $19/hr. They wouldnt share their nanny with us, BC I mentioned we were willing to pay $22-24. We were willing to do this Out of desperation, for lack of part time candidates- not bc of her "qualifications"- again free market economics at work....FWIW, we later found someone willing to work for $18 and give her big bonuses.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's like trying on wedding dresses. You never try on a dress outside of your price range...because all others will pale in comparison.

OP again...her range on her profile was $15-$25/hr so I was under the impression that we could potentially afford her.

I really just wondering if her price is high for 2 kids given that she isn't highly education and isn't expected to do much of anything other than watch the kids.

10 years of nanny experience and good references are worth much more than a degree.
She probably quoted the high end of her range because she expected you to counter.
Counter-offer with $19-$20/hour and see what she says. If not, keep looking.

Anonymous wrote:It's like trying on wedding dresses. You never try on a dress outside of your price range...because all others will pale in comparison.

OP again...her range on her profile was $15-$25/hr so I was under the impression that we could potentially afford her.

I really just wondering if her price is high for 2 kids given that she isn't highly education and isn't expected to do much of anything other than watch the kids.

OP here. In retrospect I probably should have set a range i was comfortable with and made that clear. $20/hr is pretty much our max since otherwise it wouldn't be worth me working part time really.

She comes from another part time position and is only interested in part time work so its not like she's trying to replace a full time salary. I'm guessing she just threw the $25/hr out there on the off chance we would agree? I don't know. Im not sure why she would think we could afford that. I'm tempted to offer her $18 or $19 but I feel like its a low ball offer after her $25.

It's like trying on wedding dresses. You never try on a dress outside of your price range...because all others will pale in comparison.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Too high. I'd start her at $18.

You do not get to unilaterally decide that. You don't get to pick a nanny, then tell her what you will pay her. You can decide that $18 is the highest you will pay, but in OPs case, she likely wouldn't get this nanny.

OP I think what you're planning to offer sounds appropriate, but I would also be prepared for her to counter or walk. Is $20 your max? Could you offer any benefits to offset what may be a paycut for her? It sounds like she is used to working FT, and the really high rate she quoted is to get her to a certain weekly salary. She might be feeling this job out to see if she can get a similar weekly rate for less hours, and I wouldn't be surprised if she turns you down.

Well I would not go over $18 to start. I'd have advertised the position as going from $15-18 and before agreeing to meet anyone for an interview, confirmed the salary they're willing to receive. *I* decide the salary.

And a nanny decides what *she* will work for. The problem is, OP interviewed a nanny outside of her range, and surprise surprise, she's the one they want. This nanny isn't going to accept $18, and if OP wants her, she needs to figure something out. If OP wants to pay $18 she needs to find a nanny in her pay range.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Too high. I'd start her at $18.

You do not get to unilaterally decide that. You don't get to pick a nanny, then tell her what you will pay her. You can decide that $18 is the highest you will pay, but in OPs case, she likely wouldn't get this nanny.

OP I think what you're planning to offer sounds appropriate, but I would also be prepared for her to counter or walk. Is $20 your max? Could you offer any benefits to offset what may be a paycut for her? It sounds like she is used to working FT, and the really high rate she quoted is to get her to a certain weekly salary. She might be feeling this job out to see if she can get a similar weekly rate for less hours, and I wouldn't be surprised if she turns you down.

Well I would not go over $18 to start. I'd have advertised the position as going from $15-18 and before agreeing to meet anyone for an interview, confirmed the salary they're willing to receive. *I* decide the salary.

Anonymous wrote:Too high. I'd start her at $18.

You do not get to unilaterally decide that. You don't get to pick a nanny, then tell her what you will pay her. You can decide that $18 is the highest you will pay, but in OPs case, she likely wouldn't get this nanny.

OP I think what you're planning to offer sounds appropriate, but I would also be prepared for her to counter or walk. Is $20 your max? Could you offer any benefits to offset what may be a paycut for her? It sounds like she is used to working FT, and the really high rate she quoted is to get her to a certain weekly salary. She might be feeling this job out to see if she can get a similar weekly rate for less hours, and I wouldn't be surprised if she turns you down.

Yes 20 seems very fair. If she doesn't accept keep looking.

Too high. I'd start her at $18.

We have a 2.5 year old and 2 month old and are searching for a part time nanny for approx. 23 hours a week in Springfield VA.

We think we've found one we really like. She has about 10 years experience, CPR and first aid certified but doesny have any formal child care training or education.

During her interview we asked her how much she is asking and she said $25 for the both of them. This seems pretty high to me. I am drafting an offer for her and am planning on offering $20/hr. Does that sound like a reasonable rate for my area?

Also, I'm not expecting her to do any housework except cleaning up the kids messes that they make while she's on duty.

TIA for the advice.