covid bumped up rates, but the recession is cutting them back to pre-covid

n times of economic turbulence, many families are trying to create lasting solutions that may also account for one or both parents losing their jobs, or having their positions cut back in various ways. While at the height of COVID hiring in 2021, there was such an overwhelming demand for quality nannies and educators that many families were willing to pay $40-$60+ per hour, now that another COVID shutdown feels less imminent and families are realizing their next hires will hopefully last for many years, families are being more economical in terms of setting an hourly rate that is fair and comparable with the area’s cost of living, rather than being willing to pay “anything” with the knowledge that this is a temporary childcare solution.

Navigating the ever-changing landscape of this pandemic continues to be challenging, but one thing remains true – as compassionate, experienced nannies, newborn care specialists, and agencies, we are uniquely skilled at embracing ambiguity, adjusting our expectations at a moment’s notice, and finding the bright spots in difficult moments. In the weeks and months ahead, we will continue to look for additional ways that we can support and champion the incredible work accomplished within this industry, looking ahead with hopeful optimism and indomitable perseverance. We hope these tips have been useful in helping you prepare for your next transition, and please feel free to check out these other resources which Adventure Nannies provides free to the nanny community!

It is not me who says this. It is science. Otherwise, all the kids of geniuses would be geniuses, if it were genetics only. The child greatly benefits when their caregiver is smart, loving, polite and educated.

Anonymous wrote:no, what I am saying is that most people will not hire someone with just high school diploma and less than 7 yrs of full time experience, so they understand that the pay rate should be higher from beginning. They will not trust such a person with their child. And yes, both nature and nurture shape your child. Your nanny often spends more or roughly the same amount of time with your child during the week than you do (awake hours), of course the child is very much influenced by what the nanny does. If she only reads one or two books a day to your toddler, do not expect them to be very interested in books. And that is just a basic example.

I mean you're just wrong, and the PP is correct. This is all going to boil down to genetics unless you're either truly phenomenal or truly heinous, and let's be real, 99.9999% of candidates are neither. And honestly, I don't even think you're right about the books. We definitely don't read many books to my kid and she's obsessed. They literally are just around.

no, what I am saying is that most people will not hire someone with just high school diploma and less than 7 yrs of full time experience, so they understand that the pay rate should be higher from beginning. They will not trust such a person with their child. And yes, both nature and nurture shape your child. Your nanny often spends more or roughly the same amount of time with your child during the week than you do (awake hours), of course the child is very much influenced by what the nanny does. If she only reads one or two books a day to your toddler, do not expect them to be very interested in books. And that is just a basic example.

Anonymous wrote:No nanny I know in DC gets less than 25 hr for one child, and most people get 27-28. If your nanny can not pass basic "quality control" then why did you hire her? I can answer for you, you did not care about quality as long as you can get anyone cheap. Not a smart decision, PP. These early years form your child future personality, so you need to have someone who actually helps with that task. Also, you only will be paying the nanny for a couple of years, so for many it is worth getting the best.

You’re telling me that a nanny with a high school diploma and little to no babysitting experience is making $25/hr, or $52k per year - roughly the starting salary of a college grad? And if you think $25/hr is the baseline, what is a 20 year nanny veteran making? $250k/year?

I don’t think parents are looking for the “cheapest” option per se. I think they have to do a financial calculus for their family. If a working mom is making less than, say, $80k per year, it makes sense for her to stay home with her child, since her salary is just covering the nanny’s salary plus taxes. So I can understand working moms who don’t make much more than $100k trying to save some income for their own retirement and get a “cheaper” nanny.

Also a child’s personality is largely influenced by genetics (aka nature) and parents. A truly heinous nanny abusing a child will absolute cause short and long term damage but a so so nanny isn’t going to really “shape” a child’s personality nearly as much as parents and genetics do.

No nanny I know in DC gets less than 25 hr for one child, and most people get 27-28. If your nanny can not pass basic "quality control" then why did you hire her? I can answer for you, you did not care about quality as long as you can get anyone cheap. Not a smart decision, PP. These early years form your child future personality, so you need to have someone who actually helps with that task. Also, you only will be paying the nanny for a couple of years, so for many it is worth getting the best.

Anonymous wrote:Is that the going rate now weekly for one baby (6 months)? My former colleague in DC was interviewing potentials and I don’t know if she’s getting the right number. It sounds awful high.

Do you work for $1,000/week? I was making this 25;years ago. It is very low.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is that the going rate now weekly for one baby (6 months)? My former colleague in DC was interviewing potentials and I don’t know if she’s getting the right number. It sounds awful high.

It is a little on higher end. Going rate in DC is $20-$25/hr

These were the rates maybe 5 years ago

These rates are very accurate still, I wouldn’t pay more than $25/hr unless you multiple kids at home full time or you’ve found a true “Mary Poppins” (which probably doesn’t exist on this blog).
If you’re willing to pay over $25/hr, try going through an agency where there is at least some quality control.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is that the going rate now weekly for one baby (6 months)? My former colleague in DC was interviewing potentials and I don’t know if she’s getting the right number. It sounds awful high.

It is a little on higher end. Going rate in DC is $20-$25/hr

These were the rates maybe 5 years ago

Anonymous wrote:she says her cost is 60k, why do you say her cost is $80k, pp?
Also, 25 per hour for 2 kids which is $1000 a week, is super cheap but you get what you pay for. I feel sory for her nanny and no, it is not "about right" price in DC.

I’m saying if the employer is paying $60k out of her own pocket, that means she needs a job of her own that pays at least $80k gross, just to cover the nanny, as taxes on an $80k salary would be roughly $20k (that will be higher or lower depending on HHI).

I know several professional nannies in this area who get 35/hr. The lower 25/hr is for your nannies who need routine directions.

Pros show up needing minimal information, and can jump right into the work successfully.

Anonymous wrote:Is that the going rate now weekly for one baby (6 months)? My former colleague in DC was interviewing potentials and I don’t know if she’s getting the right number. It sounds awful high.

It is a little on higher end. Going rate in DC is $20-$25/hr

she says her cost is 60k, why do you say her cost is $80k, pp?
Also, 25 per hour for 2 kids which is $1000 a week, is super cheap but you get what you pay for. I feel sory for her nanny and no, it is not "about right" price in DC.

Anonymous wrote:We pay $1000 a week in DC. Two kids (2.5 and a baby), 40 hours a week. We also give paid sick and vacation days. On the books. So, she makes $52k a year, and our "all in" cost is about $60k a year.

We very rarely use overtime, but if we do, we pay time and a half. I think we've asked her to come early or stay late maybe... 5 times in the last year?

This sounds about right. Which again underscores that nannies are truly a luxury for the rich. If you are shelling out $60k, that’s what, like $80k gross? So I’m guessing you and your husband make at least $200k combined.

I think with Covid, everyone scrambled to get a nanny even though they couldn’t really afford market rate. And with plentiful jobs, lots of women decided to nanny because you don’t need any degree / experience. But now with inflation and the recession it might go back to pre-2020 supply and demand.

We pay $1000 a week in DC. Two kids (2.5 and a baby), 40 hours a week. We also give paid sick and vacation days. On the books. So, she makes $52k a year, and our "all in" cost is about $60k a year.

We very rarely use overtime, but if we do, we pay time and a half. I think we've asked her to come early or stay late maybe... 5 times in the last year?