Anonymous wrote:No nanny in her right mind chooses a poor compensation package if she's offered a better overall deal elsewhere, unless she's doing a charity situation for whatever reason. She'd get laughed right out of the Jobs and Careers forum on this site.

I can see it now... "I'm a nanny and I have two jobs offers. Job A is in all respects equal to Job B, except that Job A pays a higher wage than Job B. But Job B is enough for me to live comfortably, so I'm leaning towards that one. Am I stupid?"

Do you consider any other factors aside from the take-hone pay? If so, then i can guarantee you that you will NEVER run into a situation where you have two job offers that are identical barring money. They will have :

different parents (personalities, communications styles, how they relate to the nanny specifically as an employee, what they expect from a nanny, parenting styles)

Different kids (age, personalities, how many kids, experience with nanny/childcare)

Different family dynamics (divorced, single parent, WAH parent, closeness to extended family)

Different homes (location, layout, proximity to kid-friendly destinations)

Different job requirements (overtime, housekeeping, cooking, driving, tutoring, lessons, coordinating with staff, travel)

Different benefits (insurance, car, PTO, flexibility, retirement, bonuses)

The list goes on. How does someone really have to explain this to you?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No nanny in her right mind chooses a poor compensation package if she's offered a better overall deal elsewhere, unless she's doing a charity situation for whatever reason. She'd get laughed right out of the Jobs and Careers forum on this site.

I can see it now... "I'm a nanny and I have two jobs offers. Job A is in all respects equal to Job B, except that Job A pays a higher wage than Job B. But Job B is enough for me to live comfortably, so I'm leaning towards that one. Am I stupid?"

Where this falls apart is that "compensation package" for most people (certainly not just nannies) includes more than the "wage." Think PTO, working conditions, other perks, for example. In addition, other factors besides the compensation package also affect job satisfaction: flexibility, length of commute, # of kids, MB/DB demeanor, duties, affection for the children, etc.

Precisely why I won’t give employees a number during the first interview. I have a minimum for each position, but I set that after going through my notes after the interview.

Anonymous wrote:No nanny in her right mind chooses a poor compensation package if she's offered a better overall deal elsewhere, unless she's doing a charity situation for whatever reason. She'd get laughed right out of the Jobs and Careers forum on this site.

I can see it now... "I'm a nanny and I have two jobs offers. Job A is in all respects equal to Job B, except that Job A pays a higher wage than Job B. But Job B is enough for me to live comfortably, so I'm leaning towards that one. Am I stupid?"

Where this falls apart is that "compensation package" for most people (certainly not just nannies) includes more than the "wage." Think PTO, working conditions, other perks, for example. In addition, other factors besides the compensation package also affect job satisfaction: flexibility, length of commute, # of kids, MB/DB demeanor, duties, affection for the children, etc.

No nanny in her right mind chooses a poor compensation package if she's offered a better overall deal elsewhere, unless she's doing a charity situation for whatever reason. She'd get laughed right out of the Jobs and Careers forum on this site.

I can see it now... "I'm a nanny and I have two jobs offers. Job A is in all respects equal to Job B, except that Job A pays a higher wage than Job B. But Job B is enough for me to live comfortably, so I'm leaning towards that one. Am I stupid?"

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have nearly a decade of experience with 3 sets of twins age newborn-7. I currently make $22 base rate in close-in northern va for infant twins.

If I get $24 for one toddler, why would I want less for two babies?? But that's just me.

Because every job is different and there are many factors aside from $. My point is that great nannies can be found at a surprisingly wide range of pay, so I always roll my eyes when people post that any nanny charging X is going to be terrible, incompetent, neglectful, etc. This is not a cut-and-dried industry. It is not helpful to nannies to set an expectation that they will all be making top dollar and it is not reasonable to be angry at parents for advertising well within the normal range. I would never want to work for only one kid. I love working with twins, and I would rather have flexibility in other areas than a little more money. My goal is to make enough money for my long-term needs while still enabling a pleasant and balanced life, which will include different factors for everyone.

+1 I can totally agree with this. I make enough in my current position to live very comfortably but some nannies wouldn’t accept my rate for themselves. My rate also varies depending on family and the overall package offered.

There's an old saying: "You get what you pay for".
It also goes without saying that due diligence is required and life has no guarantees, except death and taxes.

In every field the more you know, the more you earn. Of course, not every potential employer wants your experience and knowledge, nor can they afford it.

It's ok, people.

There is no price elasticity in this industry, meaning you don’t always get better service for paying more.

I totally agree with PP, we had twins five years ago and didn’t like any of the experienced candidates the agencies were sending.
I couldn’t get comfortable with any of them for different reasons.
I’m very fond of our Housekeeper and didn’t know how much she loved kids.
She was the only one I’d trust with them, at first only for a short time when they were asleep.
Months later full time when I went back to work.

Five years later her hourly rate has doubled and we’re happy to pay it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have nearly a decade of experience with 3 sets of twins age newborn-7. I currently make $22 base rate in close-in northern va for infant twins.

If I get $24 for one toddler, why would I want less for two babies?? But that's just me.

Because every job is different and there are many factors aside from $. My point is that great nannies can be found at a surprisingly wide range of pay, so I always roll my eyes when people post that any nanny charging X is going to be terrible, incompetent, neglectful, etc. This is not a cut-and-dried industry. It is not helpful to nannies to set an expectation that they will all be making top dollar and it is not reasonable to be angry at parents for advertising well within the normal range. I would never want to work for only one kid. I love working with twins, and I would rather have flexibility in other areas than a little more money. My goal is to make enough money for my long-term needs while still enabling a pleasant and balanced life, which will include different factors for everyone.

Sorry, but I have to call troll on you, my friend. In fact, you sound an awful lot like you work for the WH agency trying to sell low wages to your "creme de la creme" nannies. Why would really good nannies be interested in your $22/hr for infant twins? Because you promised the parents you can get them a real bargain? Shove it.

1) The parents treat me incredibly well and are consistently respecful
2) well the job is pretty close in, it is not in the city proper and is not likely to command exactly the same price.
3) with guaranteed overtime the blended rate is higher
4) parents are very flexible in allowing time off. There a local grandparents who can fill in for me whenever needed.
5) they are simply and lovely family and I really enjoy working with them. They were the right fit. When your focus is on the overall impact on your life not just the financial impact, you realize that the couple dollars more doesn’t always balance out the stress of working for a bad fit family.

^^^^
Whoa hold it!

That is surely some anger there.

Bottom line:
If a family won’t pay you what you want, just keep searching for one who will.

Not rocket science in my book.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have nearly a decade of experience with 3 sets of twins age newborn-7. I currently make $22 base rate in close-in northern va for infant twins.

If I get $24 for one toddler, why would I want less for two babies?? But that's just me.

Because every job is different and there are many factors aside from $. My point is that great nannies can be found at a surprisingly wide range of pay, so I always roll my eyes when people post that any nanny charging X is going to be terrible, incompetent, neglectful, etc. This is not a cut-and-dried industry. It is not helpful to nannies to set an expectation that they will all be making top dollar and it is not reasonable to be angry at parents for advertising well within the normal range. I would never want to work for only one kid. I love working with twins, and I would rather have flexibility in other areas than a little more money. My goal is to make enough money for my long-term needs while still enabling a pleasant and balanced life, which will include different factors for everyone.

Sorry, but I have to call troll on you, my friend. In fact, you sound an awful lot like you work for the WH agency trying to sell low wages to your "creme de la creme" nannies. Why would really good nannies be interested in your $22/hr for infant twins? Because you promised the parents you can get them a real bargain? Shove it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have nearly a decade of experience with 3 sets of twins age newborn-7. I currently make $22 base rate in close-in northern va for infant twins.

If I get $24 for one toddler, why would I want less for two babies?? But that's just me.

Because every job is different and there are many factors aside from $. My point is that great nannies can be found at a surprisingly wide range of pay, so I always roll my eyes when people post that any nanny charging X is going to be terrible, incompetent, neglectful, etc. This is not a cut-and-dried industry. It is not helpful to nannies to set an expectation that they will all be making top dollar and it is not reasonable to be angry at parents for advertising well within the normal range. I would never want to work for only one kid. I love working with twins, and I would rather have flexibility in other areas than a little more money. My goal is to make enough money for my long-term needs while still enabling a pleasant and balanced life, which will include different factors for everyone.

Anonymous wrote:I have nearly a decade of experience with 3 sets of twins age newborn-7. I currently make $22 base rate in close-in northern va for infant twins.

If I get $24 for one toddler, why would I want less for two babies?? But that's just me.

I have nearly a decade of experience with 3 sets of twins age newborn-7. I currently make $22 base rate in close-in northern va for infant twins.

What were they offering?

Just a vent. Thank you.