Who is supporting your $15 wonder woman? Or is that none of your concern?

Why would this be her concern? Her nanny is an adult and apparently took the job, so obviously she can afford the rate.

It's true. There is no correlation between price and quality in the nanny market. It doesn't make any financial sense to pay $20/hr when you can get excellent candidates at $15/hr.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

No, a babysitter takes a kid to a park, reads an occasional book to them, and let's them play on their own or doing bare basics with them (coloring, playing with dolls). This type of person might get $15/hr.

A nanny that is dealing with an infant/toddler will help "train" them, they teach them what things are, they teach them how to turn words into sentences once older, they don't just say that something is a tree when asked, they explain what kind of tree and how that tree is beneficial to life on this planet. They do coloring and many other crafts, they take to parks and to tumbling classes and music classes, interacting with the kids the whole time. They teach table manners and how to clean up after themselves, how to try different foods they are not used to, how to tie their shoes, ride their bikes, and so on. Not necessarily replacing parents, but adding to what the parents can't do while they are at work and helping the children to grow in all ways. They sleep train, they know child development (not necessarily from school but even just learning on their own from books) and help with getting the child to important milestones. This type of person can easily get more than $15 and are worth a higher rate.

If you only want someone to be a warm body and make sure the child eats and doesn't die, then go ahead and hire a babysitter. But don't expect all the other stuff being done from someone like that.

No. I get all those benefits from a professional, legal, and experienced nanny for $16/hr.

Nice try, though.

And I get all those attributes from a professional, legal, college-degreed, and experienced nanny for $15. I work from home a lot so I witness her interaction with my child, and I also hear raves from neighbors and others who see them together.

I also have a regular evening nanny who calls herself a babysitter but does much of the same, also for $15. She has a master's degree and years of experience in daycare centers. I feel lucky to have them and they will both get raises in the very near future when child number two comes along.


There just is not a lot of correlation between cost and quality in the DC nanny market.

A master's degree earning $15/hr, just like the broken-English illegals?
You're kidding, right?

Not at all. The broken-English illegals in DC don't seem to be making $15 per hour. I had several applicants of that type, and they were generally requesting $12-13 per hour. I also had candidates requesting $18-20 per hour, but they were not nearly as impressive as the women I hired at $15.

Who is supporting your $15 wonder woman? Or is that none of your concern?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

No, a babysitter takes a kid to a park, reads an occasional book to them, and let's them play on their own or doing bare basics with them (coloring, playing with dolls). This type of person might get $15/hr.

A nanny that is dealing with an infant/toddler will help "train" them, they teach them what things are, they teach them how to turn words into sentences once older, they don't just say that something is a tree when asked, they explain what kind of tree and how that tree is beneficial to life on this planet. They do coloring and many other crafts, they take to parks and to tumbling classes and music classes, interacting with the kids the whole time. They teach table manners and how to clean up after themselves, how to try different foods they are not used to, how to tie their shoes, ride their bikes, and so on. Not necessarily replacing parents, but adding to what the parents can't do while they are at work and helping the children to grow in all ways. They sleep train, they know child development (not necessarily from school but even just learning on their own from books) and help with getting the child to important milestones. This type of person can easily get more than $15 and are worth a higher rate.

If you only want someone to be a warm body and make sure the child eats and doesn't die, then go ahead and hire a babysitter. But don't expect all the other stuff being done from someone like that.

No. I get all those benefits from a professional, legal, and experienced nanny for $16/hr.

Nice try, though.

And I get all those attributes from a professional, legal, college-degreed, and experienced nanny for $15. I work from home a lot so I witness her interaction with my child, and I also hear raves from neighbors and others who see them together.

I also have a regular evening nanny who calls herself a babysitter but does much of the same, also for $15. She has a master's degree and years of experience in daycare centers. I feel lucky to have them and they will both get raises in the very near future when child number two comes along.


There just is not a lot of correlation between cost and quality in the DC nanny market.

A master's degree earning $15/hr, just like the broken-English illegals?
You're kidding, right?

Not at all. The broken-English illegals in DC don't seem to be making $15 per hour. I had several applicants of that type, and they were generally requesting $12-13 per hour. I also had candidates requesting $18-20 per hour, but they were not nearly as impressive as the women I hired at $15.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

No, a babysitter takes a kid to a park, reads an occasional book to them, and let's them play on their own or doing bare basics with them (coloring, playing with dolls). This type of person might get $15/hr.

A nanny that is dealing with an infant/toddler will help "train" them, they teach them what things are, they teach them how to turn words into sentences once older, they don't just say that something is a tree when asked, they explain what kind of tree and how that tree is beneficial to life on this planet. They do coloring and many other crafts, they take to parks and to tumbling classes and music classes, interacting with the kids the whole time. They teach table manners and how to clean up after themselves, how to try different foods they are not used to, how to tie their shoes, ride their bikes, and so on. Not necessarily replacing parents, but adding to what the parents can't do while they are at work and helping the children to grow in all ways. They sleep train, they know child development (not necessarily from school but even just learning on their own from books) and help with getting the child to important milestones. This type of person can easily get more than $15 and are worth a higher rate.

If you only want someone to be a warm body and make sure the child eats and doesn't die, then go ahead and hire a babysitter. But don't expect all the other stuff being done from someone like that.

No. I get all those benefits from a professional, legal, and experienced nanny for $16/hr.

Nice try, though.

And I get all those attributes from a professional, legal, college-degreed, and experienced nanny for $15. I work from home a lot so I witness her interaction with my child, and I also hear raves from neighbors and others who see them together.

I also have a regular evening nanny who calls herself a babysitter but does much of the same, also for $15. She has a master's degree and years of experience in daycare centers. I feel lucky to have them and they will both get raises in the very near future when child number two comes along.


There just is not a lot of correlation between cost and quality in the DC nanny market.

A master's degree earning $15/hr, just like the broken-English illegals?
You're kidding, right?

Anonymous wrote:

No, a babysitter takes a kid to a park, reads an occasional book to them, and let's them play on their own or doing bare basics with them (coloring, playing with dolls). This type of person might get $15/hr.

A nanny that is dealing with an infant/toddler will help "train" them, they teach them what things are, they teach them how to turn words into sentences once older, they don't just say that something is a tree when asked, they explain what kind of tree and how that tree is beneficial to life on this planet. They do coloring and many other crafts, they take to parks and to tumbling classes and music classes, interacting with the kids the whole time. They teach table manners and how to clean up after themselves, how to try different foods they are not used to, how to tie their shoes, ride their bikes, and so on. Not necessarily replacing parents, but adding to what the parents can't do while they are at work and helping the children to grow in all ways. They sleep train, they know child development (not necessarily from school but even just learning on their own from books) and help with getting the child to important milestones. This type of person can easily get more than $15 and are worth a higher rate.

If you only want someone to be a warm body and make sure the child eats and doesn't die, then go ahead and hire a babysitter. But don't expect all the other stuff being done from someone like that.

No. I get all those benefits from a professional, legal, and experienced nanny for $16/hr.

Nice try, though.

And I get all those attributes from a professional, legal, college-degreed, and experienced nanny for $15. I work from home a lot so I witness her interaction with my child, and I also hear raves from neighbors and others who see them together.

I also have a regular evening nanny who calls herself a babysitter but does much of the same, also for $15. She has a master's degree and years of experience in daycare centers. I feel lucky to have them and they will both get raises in the very near future when child number two comes along.

There just is not a lot of correlation between cost and quality in the DC nanny market.

Anonymous wrote:

No, a babysitter takes a kid to a park, reads an occasional book to them, and let's them play on their own or doing bare basics with them (coloring, playing with dolls). This type of person might get $15/hr.

A nanny that is dealing with an infant/toddler will help "train" them, they teach them what things are, they teach them how to turn words into sentences once older, they don't just say that something is a tree when asked, they explain what kind of tree and how that tree is beneficial to life on this planet. They do coloring and many other crafts, they take to parks and to tumbling classes and music classes, interacting with the kids the whole time. They teach table manners and how to clean up after themselves, how to try different foods they are not used to, how to tie their shoes, ride their bikes, and so on. Not necessarily replacing parents, but adding to what the parents can't do while they are at work and helping the children to grow in all ways. They sleep train, they know child development (not necessarily from school but even just learning on their own from books) and help with getting the child to important milestones. This type of person can easily get more than $15 and are worth a higher rate.

If you only want someone to be a warm body and make sure the child eats and doesn't die, then go ahead and hire a babysitter. But don't expect all the other stuff being done from someone like that.

No. I get all those benefits from a professional, legal, and experienced nanny for $16/hr.

Nice try, though.

Yeah, we see your cheap nanny type out and about everyday, and you are deluding yourself. Is she live in, or does she need to share her bedroom to make ends meet?

No, a babysitter takes a kid to a park, reads an occasional book to them, and let's them play on their own or doing bare basics with them (coloring, playing with dolls). This type of person might get $15/hr.

A nanny that is dealing with an infant/toddler will help "train" them, they teach them what things are, they teach them how to turn words into sentences once older, they don't just say that something is a tree when asked, they explain what kind of tree and how that tree is beneficial to life on this planet. They do coloring and many other crafts, they take to parks and to tumbling classes and music classes, interacting with the kids the whole time. They teach table manners and how to clean up after themselves, how to try different foods they are not used to, how to tie their shoes, ride their bikes, and so on. Not necessarily replacing parents, but adding to what the parents can't do while they are at work and helping the children to grow in all ways. They sleep train, they know child development (not necessarily from school but even just learning on their own from books) and help with getting the child to important milestones. This type of person can easily get more than $15 and are worth a higher rate.

If you only want someone to be a warm body and make sure the child eats and doesn't die, then go ahead and hire a babysitter. But don't expect all the other stuff being done from someone like that.

No. I get all those benefits from a professional, legal, and experienced nanny for $16/hr.

Nice try, though.

I make 10 an hour at both my nanny job and my other job. Combined they're about 40 hours a week. Its not a lot but it feeds me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$15. an hour is UNEXCEPTABLE for an exceptional seriously experienced nanny of 20 years.

For parents who settle for bargain immigrant labor, we get what we pay for, just like in the rest of America. We think it's such a deal, until the child can't speak age-appropriate English, or has other problems down the road.

They are babysitters! What the hell should they make? Yes, it is our children but my goodness, why would someone get to make more than 1/2 our population to watch a child. They sit around the parks and talk to their friends. Feed, and protect the little one they are in charge of, it isn't that hard. 15 is great money for an uneducated immigrant or an educated student out of school. It is 15 an hour!!

No, a babysitter takes a kid to a park, reads an occasional book to them, and let's them play on their own or doing bare basics with them (coloring, playing with dolls). This type of person might get $15/hr.

A nanny that is dealing with an infant/toddler will help "train" them, they teach them what things are, they teach them how to turn words into sentences once older, they don't just say that something is a tree when asked, they explain what kind of tree and how that tree is beneficial to life on this planet. They do coloring and many other crafts, they take to parks and to tumbling classes and music classes, interacting with the kids the whole time. They teach table manners and how to clean up after themselves, how to try different foods they are not used to, how to tie their shoes, ride their bikes, and so on. Not necessarily replacing parents, but adding to what the parents can't do while they are at work and helping the children to grow in all ways. They sleep train, they know child development (not necessarily from school but even just learning on their own from books) and help with getting the child to important milestones. This type of person can easily get more than $15 and are worth a higher rate.

If you only want someone to be a warm body and make sure the child eats and doesn't die, then go ahead and hire a babysitter. But don't expect all the other stuff being done from someone like that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good quality nannies make between $20-$25; the problem is most people here can't really afford nannies and so the confusion starts. They hire glorified babysitters and expect things to run as they would with a professional nanny. That's not how it works. The people here who are paying $15 and such are people who shouldn't even have nannies; they are barely breaking the income bracket that nannies are mostly used in. and often time, the MB is JUST making enough to cover the nanny salary and they end up living off of DH's 60K yearly income alone. If you're a professional nanny you'll find a professional job and make anywhere from $20-$25 no problem.

I wonder how you explain then the preponderance of happy nanny employers in the reported $14-$18 range? Is it your theory that these nannies should be charging more (because there is an unexplored pool of $20-$25 jobs waiting for them), or that these parents don't know what a good nanny is, and are therefore happy with what they get?yes

No one has a clue what most parents pay their sitters, nor how "happy" they are with their sitters. A couple of vocal parents on DCUM doesn't equate to a preponderance of anything, except maybe a big mouth.

Now, obviously, DCUM is not a scientific proof of anything, but neither is denial, you know? You can run a couple of searches on this and the old forum for "our wonderful nanny" +$, and see what comes up. Whether it's preponderant or not is anyone's guess, but clearly there are employers who pay their nannies in the $14 to $18/hr range and are happy with what they get. Their existence doesn't equal scientifically valid data, but neither does your insistence that they don't exist.

I work 25 hrs a week for get 12/hr for three kids. Its a job. It is what it is.

FYI, DA, most nannies earn average, whatever you believe that to be, some earn below average, and some earn above. That's how it works in the real world.

Anonymous wrote:Ah, it's our resident nanny troll trying to make everyone believe nannies make $25/hr. The vast majority do not, in DC because there is no correlation between pay and quality and, due to the many capable and experienced nannies on the market means it is very easy for a family to pay $15-$18/hr and retain an excellent nanny. That's the norm.

I'd like to make 300k because I am experienced, excellent, qualified and have an excellent work history and references. However, the market range for my job is not 300k. Thus, I adjust and don't try to convince smart people that my job is worth more than it is.

Take a lesson from the real world, nannies.

Where's the quote that all nannies earn, or should earn 25/hr?
You are a first class dumb ass. I can't imagine anyone paying you even minimum wage, let alone 25/hr.

Ah, it's our resident nanny troll trying to make everyone believe nannies make $25/hr. The vast majority do not, in DC because there is no correlation between pay and quality and, due to the many capable and experienced nannies on the market means it is very easy for a family to pay $15-$18/hr and retain an excellent nanny. That's the norm.

I'd like to make 300k because I am experienced, excellent, qualified and have an excellent work history and references. However, the market range for my job is not 300k. Thus, I adjust and don't try to convince smart people that my job is worth more than it is.

Take a lesson from the real world, nannies.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good quality nannies make between $20-$25; the problem is most people here can't really afford nannies and so the confusion starts. They hire glorified babysitters and expect things to run as they would with a professional nanny. That's not how it works. The people here who are paying $15 and such are people who shouldn't even have nannies; they are barely breaking the income bracket that nannies are mostly used in. and often time, the MB is JUST making enough to cover the nanny salary and they end up living off of DH's 60K yearly income alone. If you're a professional nanny you'll find a professional job and make anywhere from $20-$25 no problem.

I wonder how you explain then the preponderance of happy nanny employers in the reported $14-$18 range? Is it your theory that these nannies should be charging more (because there is an unexplored pool of $20-$25 jobs waiting for them), or that these parents don't know what a good nanny is, and are therefore happy with what they get?yes

No one has a clue what most parents pay their sitters, nor how "happy" they are with their sitters. A couple of vocal parents on DCUM doesn't equate to a preponderance of anything, except maybe a big mouth.