nannydebsays wrote:I would consider calling 911 the bare minimum response to an extreme emergency. If a child is choking on something and stops breathing, the "warm body" can call 911 and wait until someone arrives. Someone with CPR/First Aid training will know how to try to help the child until paramedics/firefighters arrive. That might mean the difference between severe brain damage due to oxygen deprivation and a traumatized child who will recover fully.

Good point. Now, how long does it take of a lay person to get a CPR/First Aid training? 1 year of full-time training? a degree in CPR?

Or... just a few evening classes?

I rest my case.

Well said, Deb.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It always depends on what you want. Some people are happy with a 'warm body' and a smile. Others want someone who would instantly know what to do in the most extreme emergency.

Call 911? Otherwise you are talking about either a paramedic/firefighter or emergency room physician.

"Warm bodies" may or may not speak decent English, may or may not know infant/child CPR and First Aid, may or may not have a clue about illness in infants and toddlers.

I would consider calling 911 the bare minimum response to an extreme emergency. If a child is choking on something and stops breathing, the "warm body" can call 911 and wait until someone arrives. Someone with CPR/First Aid training will know how to try to help the child until paramedics/firefighters arrive. That might mean the difference between severe brain damage due to oxygen deprivation and a traumatized child who will recover fully.

Anonymous wrote:It always depends on what you want. Some people are happy with a 'warm body' and a smile. Others want someone who would instantly know what to do in the most extreme emergency.

Call 911? Otherwise you are talking about either a paramedic/firefighter or emergency room physician.

I'd pay no more than $15/hour -- that is what we paid for our one child for weekend nanny/babysitting from a local preschool teacher in arlington.

Yes there are people willing to work weekends, but its not the same pool (quantity or quality) that are looking for normal workweek hours. You will have more trouble finding qualified knowledgeable and dependable to work minimal hours on the weekend and it would have to be worth it financially. Unfortunately, it is you who is naive. And it's not cute.

Try reading the thread next time. OP has already found a candidate for the job.

(Also, you're not funny or clever with your insults.)

Anonymous wrote:"There are less people willing to work weekends, hence you will have to pay a higher rate to find someone. The market dictates the rate right? Isn't that the DCUM MB mantra? In OP's case, she has already found someone but even still you want to make the job worth sticking around for. If you pay the lowest possible rate, she will begin to flake once she has to turn down a few plans with friends/SO."

Um. no. In this economy, sadly, there are a lot of people willing to work weekends. You're cute with your naivete, though.

Yes there are people willing to work weekends, but its not the same pool (quantity or quality) that are looking for normal workweek hours. You will have more trouble finding qualified knowledgeable and dependable to work minimal hours on the weekend and it would have to be worth it financially. Unfortunately, it is you who is naive. And it's not cute.

Anonymous wrote:You have to pay 18 to 25 ,no question....

LOL, you nannies are insane!! OP, please don't listen to these nannies on DCUM. They will inflate BIG TIME.

And this is coming from a nanny.

20:07 she might be a tad bit naive but there's no need for such a bitchy response.

"There are less people willing to work weekends, hence you will have to pay a higher rate to find someone. The market dictates the rate right? Isn't that the DCUM MB mantra? In OP's case, she has already found someone but even still you want to make the job worth sticking around for. If you pay the lowest possible rate, she will begin to flake once she has to turn down a few plans with friends/SO."

Um. no. In this economy, sadly, there are a lot of people willing to work weekends. You're cute with your naivete, though.

It always depends on what you want. Some people are happy with a 'warm body' and a smile. Others want someone who would instantly know what to do in the most extreme emergency.

Oh for heaven's sake - some of the responses here are so ridiculous.

I would offer $10-12 an hour. I pay $12 for daytime care when I hire people for short periods or coverage when our nanny is on vacation. I pay $10/hour for evening babysitting (basically no childcare duties - just being there in case). I have 15 mth old twins.

There are less people willing to work weekends, hence you will have to pay a higher rate to find someone. The market dictates the rate right? Isn't that the DCUM MB mantra? In OP's case, she has already found someone but even still you want to make the job worth sticking around for. If you pay the lowest possible rate, she will begin to flake once she has to turn down a few plans with friends/SO.

There is no reason to pay extra for weekend time, since she is not your employee during the week. She is choosing this job with its schedule, so pay her a fair rate.

In DC, for one kid, $13 to $15/hr is about average. I wouldn't go over $15/hr because you are not asking her to do the regular child specific chores or anything.

Anonymous wrote:

Going rate in NOVA per care.com is $12.50/hour

+1

Yeah....good luck finding someone good to give up their weekend for that....