OP here. Very good points, thank you.
Yes, I have over 10 years of experience, but have been in a nasty job for 8 years that I finally quit lol.
So I'm back into the job hunting and I did a lot of research and stuff. I went on a few interviews, and I don't really ever ask for the compensation right away, this was actually my first time, as I'm not comfortable with it. But I did go on other interviews and left off without knowing how much they would pay. That kind of is weird, I think, as what if they later tell me that they want to hire me, but only pay $15/hr? And then I'll start negotiating? I'm not good at this negotiating thing. But hey, parents should also make their job offers look interesting from the start, what's the point of telling me what the job entails, how many hours and stuff, but don't mention any salary/benefits...??? I think any great nanny with experience will get turned off by this, or maybe I'm wrong?
Excuse my silliness.
Another point is, when they tell you there's lots of driving involved, but don't mention for one second whether they have a nanny car, and if not, if they reimburse for gas.
They could say "we will pay you $20/week for gas".
Doesn't that make it more interesting for a great nanny? That's the major reason I'm turned off by this family. I think any great family will tell you from the start all the benefits, and mention if they have a car for you.
Thank you for all your input, really appreciate it!

Anonymous wrote:The last thing you should negotiate is the pay, families want to know your intention in working for them and if it all about the money then chances are they will pass on you. Pay negations come when an offer is made and a contract is being put together. It is true you cannot put a price on being able to love the children you care for, from my point of view loving and caring for the children and family come free of charge, I am payed for my time and the experience I bring to the home. If the first things out of a candidates mouth is "How much you pay" plan on not getting called back.

This is an excellent way to explain what parents are looking for, too. They want to feel like you are drawn to the job because you think you will be a good fit, will like the family, etc., and then want to talk about logistics (pay, vacation, etc.). In other words, you are more interested in presenting what you can offer the family than how good the compensation package is. Parents understand (usually) that the compensation package is important, but they hope that you are doing something you love, and haven't just decided to be a nanny because it pays better than other jobs you are qualified for.

The last thing you should negotiate is the pay, families want to know your intention in working for them and if it all about the money then chances are they will pass on you. Pay negations come when an offer is made and a contract is being put together. It is true you cannot put a price on being able to love the children you care for, from my point of view loving and caring for the children and family come free of charge, I am payed for my time and the experience I bring to the home. If the first things out of a candidates mouth is "How much you pay" plan on not getting called back.

Am an nanny/ babysitter,both payers me
$20 take home clean.

Anonymous wrote:Hi so I went to an interview yesterday, they have two children over the age of 11, so most of the work in the afternoons would be helping with homework, making sure the children do their chores, driving them around, doing kids laundry and making easy meals.
So far so good. What the funny thing was, is when I asked how much they offered per hour.
Their care.com profile listed $15-25, that's the only reason I applied to this job. I'm asking for close to $20, as I have over 10 years of experience, CPR, great references, a portfolio with tons of pictures, college educated... And I'm in my late 20s and need to pay my bills, I'm not an $8/hr babysitter living with mommy.

Anyways...the dads answer:
"Our children are the most important thing to us, we need somebody who will love them. There's no price for that. We can't put a price on that!"

Huh??? So what does that mean? They're looking for volunteers?
I mean, they said my $20 was a bit high for them, but care.com states $15-25, I figured if there's no household work besides driving and feeding and kids laundry, $20 should be fine. Lol. I'm so confused and it's kinda funny.

You are ten years experience as nanny and don't know how you handle this situation?what kind the nanny you going to be?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hardly doubt they are expecting free childcare (but you never know w/some people!)

I find it extremely odd their ad would state between $15-25/Hr. then they would tell you your rate was a little high for them.

Hopefully you are not seriously considering working for this flaky family if they offer you the job OP.

They sound nuts!!!!

I've posted ads before with a similar range of rates. What I mean by "your rate is high for us" is usually "your rate is too high for us given your experience and/or what you bring to the table". My top range is for top candidates. My middle range is for average candidates.

This...it's a soft rejection.

Anonymous wrote:I hardly doubt they are expecting free childcare (but you never know w/some people!)

I find it extremely odd their ad would state between $15-25/Hr. then they would tell you your rate was a little high for them.

Hopefully you are not seriously considering working for this flaky family if they offer you the job OP.

They sound nuts!!!!

I've posted ads before with a similar range of rates. What I mean by "your rate is high for us" is usually "your rate is too high for us given your experience and/or what you bring to the table". My top range is for top candidates. My middle range is for average candidates.

I hardly doubt they are expecting free childcare (but you never know w/some people!)

I find it extremely odd their ad would state between $15-25/Hr. then they would tell you your rate was a little high for them.

Hopefully you are not seriously considering working for this flaky family if they offer you the job OP.

They sound nuts!!!!

I am just as perplexed as you are.

Soooo..... Did they just leave it at that or were you later actually given a solid answer??!

Funny, but weird too.

Anonymous wrote:I HOPE that means that they really liked you, and they'll agree to meet your rate.

I THINK what it means is that they put the range on there in order to meet lots of nannies, and if they see someone who truly "wows" them, they'll find the money to pay her rate even if it's more than they'd like to pay. That person might not be you, though.

I mostly agree with this, but I don't think they would find $25/hr even for someone who truly wows them. I think they put that range their to meet lots of nannies, and hoped the nannies would be so "wowed" by their kids/family that they would want to watch the kids for free. Seriously. There are people that think THAT highly of themselves.

The "we can't put a price" means they are not looking to pay a single cent.

Even if you do come to an agreement on pay, don't be surprised if they try giving you the runaround come the first pay day.

Stick to your hourly rate, OP. It's not that much.

I see your point, but you sound horribly immature. The way you string together sentences is pretty remedial.

"I fully appreciate that for you this relationship is primarily about finding someone who can be a loving, engaged presence in Larla and Larlo's lives. I hope that you can also understand that I need to be able to financially support myself in order to be able to be fully present and engaged while with my charges. I am looking for at least $X per week in order to have financial stability. Will your family be able to provide that?"

I HOPE that means that they really liked you, and they'll agree to meet your rate.

I THINK what it means is that they put the range on there in order to meet lots of nannies, and if they see someone who truly "wows" them, they'll find the money to pay her rate even if it's more than they'd like to pay. That person might not be you, though.

Hi so I went to an interview yesterday, they have two children over the age of 11, so most of the work in the afternoons would be helping with homework, making sure the children do their chores, driving them around, doing kids laundry and making easy meals.
So far so good. What the funny thing was, is when I asked how much they offered per hour.
Their care.com profile listed $15-25, that's the only reason I applied to this job. I'm asking for close to $20, as I have over 10 years of experience, CPR, great references, a portfolio with tons of pictures, college educated... And I'm in my late 20s and need to pay my bills, I'm not an $8/hr babysitter living with mommy.

Anyways...the dads answer:
"Our children are the most important thing to us, we need somebody who will love them. There's no price for that. We can't put a price on that!"

Huh??? So what does that mean? They're looking for volunteers?
I mean, they said my $20 was a bit high for them, but care.com states $15-25, I figured if there's no household work besides driving and feeding and kids laundry, $20 should be fine. Lol. I'm so confused and it's kinda funny.