Anonymous wrote:Thanks all. This nanny would work 4 days a week, 36 hours. About 8 of those hours would be actually spent with the kids unless they are sick. We have a private bedroom and bathroom in our basement. I was thinking we could do less than $20/hour since she will get free room and board? If this isn’t the case why do people have live ins? I could hire a nanny for $20/hour. Thanks! -OP

9.28 again.

Ok, so why do you want a live-in?

The reasons are usually:
1. on call schedule (great reason)
2. travel (great reason)
3. flex or wonky schedule (great reason)
4. nanny only works nights (decent reason, best if they hire someone to live there and pay $100 nightly to just be there 8-5)
5. short split shift (great, if they hire a college student)
6. consistency/no call outs/not late (decent reason)
7. trying to save money (worst reason)
8. 24 hour shifts (best reason)
9. better relationship with the family/kids (great reason, just look for a nanny who wants a family relationship)

Every single one of the above is for the benefit of the employer, which means that according to the IRS, you can't deduct room and board from pay.

Some families offer live-in as an option, and when it's the nanny's choice, they deduct the fair use of that space (please be aware that you HAVE to document weekly what the fair use is).

It sounds to me like you want a housekeeper/nanny. You likely have older kids and are trying to feel like you're getting your money's worth. While I understand that, I don't understand why you want a live-in. Just hire a housekeeper/nanny who lives out, or you could offer the option of living in and deduct about $100 per week for room and board if they choose to do so.

Thanks pp I appreciate it!

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all. This nanny would work 4 days a week, 36 hours. About 8 of those hours would be actually spent with the kids unless they are sick. We have a private bedroom and bathroom in our basement. I was thinking we could do less than $20/hour since she will get free room and board? If this isn’t the case why do people have live ins? I could hire a nanny for $20/hour. Thanks! -OP

People have live ins for the convenience and ease of a nanny on the property.

Honestly, yours is not a desirable living arrangement, OP. The nanny doesn’t have her own kitchen or much privacy.

Try an au pair or just hire a live out nanny.

Thanks all. This nanny would work 4 days a week, 36 hours. About 8 of those hours would be actually spent with the kids unless they are sick. We have a private bedroom and bathroom in our basement. I was thinking we could do less than $20/hour since she will get free room and board? If this isn’t the case why do people have live ins? I could hire a nanny for $20/hour. Thanks! -OP

Most employers want to pay you pennies, and your schedule is such that you have no life. I was a live-in in my early 20s, and it's not a job that works with the dating world. If you have a goal to be in a serious relationship, I would suggest being a live-out nanny. I remember feeling frustrated with my schedule because I wasn't able to make plans with friends. A lot of families have live-in nannies because they want nontraditional schedules. Also, I had to be mindful about what I wore and how late I stayed out. It felt more like a house prison, and I am not even wild. I met many Aupairs who stayed out way later than me and drank a lot the night before they were supposed to work. It's a big gamble, and you're gambling with your living situation AND work.

My pay has ranged from $350 up to $1000 per week, and I've seen positions advertised from $200/week to $150k/year.

It's so variable. We had a nanny that did driving and housekeeping and cooking and cleaning. Paid her full time and she had good living situation with a small kitchen and basement bedroom. It wasn't super inexpensive but it was very convenient.

Depends on the living arrangement. We pay our nanny 20 an hour but she has a full one bedroom guest house behind our house with a totally separate entrance and a gate between our yards. We also pay all her utilities and cable. And she works 50 hours a week with our toddler (10 hours at time-and-a-half). She even has her own washer and dryer in her house.

Curious what the pay is for a live in nanny? They basically would spend 2-3 hours a day with my kids since they still be in school all day. Would ask them to do laundry and clean after kids during day. Thanks!