What do you pay your nanny?

[wdwfan16]

I have 3 children and live in Texas. We have always had an au pair until this year. In the past we have participated in a program where there was a set salary per week. All three of our children are in school until 3:30. Our nanny does a few extra things like helping with the laundry and the grocery shopping for me.We have recently hired a live out nanny. She asked for a rate of $ 15/ hr. We agreed on this and agreed to pay her when we went on vacation. ( We are generally out of town 3 weeks out of the year.) If she chose to take time off on certain days or for vacation outside of the 3 weeks we are gone, we told her she would not be paid for those days. We also offered to pay her for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's day. Other holidays such as President's day , MLK, etc could be taken off, but would not be paid days as I work these days and would have to make other arrangements for child care. I have asked her to keep track of her hours on a daily basis so that we can pay her the appropiate amount each week. ( We have asked her to work from 12-6 daily, but sometimes she leaves at 5:30 if I get home early) She keeps on listing her hours as 12-6. She called me today about working on Monday and seemed put off when I told her that she would not be paid for it if she decided she wanted to take it off. She has also been upset when I have asked her to keep track of her exact hours ie if she leaves at 5:30 she puts down she worked until 5:30 rather that 6. I think I have been fair about things. What do you all do with your child care provider? What benefits do you give them and what kind of vacation? I want to be fair with her, but she does not seem to be happy with these terms. If these are not reasonable or standard I will change them.Also what do you give them for their birthdays and Christmas? I gave her $ 100 gift certificate for Christmas which I thought was nice since she had only worked for me for 6 weeks at that time, but she did not thank me for it so I got the impression she felt it should have been more.Thanks in advance.

I do not have a nanny but I think if she was scheduled to 6 pm and you got home early I would pay her for the full 6 hours.

 

[JUJU814]

I find this ironic that someone frequenting the budget board has enough money to hire a nanny/au pair.

Budgeting has to do with finances, not necessary lack thereof! Even people with "enough to pay a nanny" need to budget.

 

[broadwayariel]

I don't know the going rate of a nanny, but teen sitters here get $10 an hour, and their only responsibility is to take care of the kids (no laundry or grocery shopping). You can get an illegal immigrant for $12 - $15 an hour, and they will usually clean and do laundry as well. I think you should pay until 6 - it's not like she is able to make plans for 5:30, since she doesn't know when you are coming home. I've always heard you give one weeks pay for your housekeeper or nanny (my housekeeper was only $60).

Wow, $10 for a teen sitter? The usual for the ones I know and my friends use is only $5.

 

[Alexander]

I actually have 2 nannies--they are my boys grandmas and we pay them absolutely nothing. They watch my boys whenever we need them for nada! I am beyond spoiled and blessed! We do "pay" them with trips to WDW and DCL. When the TV goes, we buy them a new one. They won't accept any money, so we buy them things instead.

 

[disfan07]

Wow, $10 for a teen sitter? The usual for the ones I know and my friends use is only $5

where do you live that you can get a babysitter for $5????
I was gettin gpaid more than that when i was babysitting at 13 (7 years ago)
I charge $12/hour for 1-2 kids
$15/hour for 3 kids
$18/hour for 4 kids

When I was younger (13-16) when the parents asked me what I charged I would ask them what they paid and they NEVER paid less than $8/hour. Once I was 16 I never got less than $10 hour.

At $12/hour and 3 families, I usually make between $150-$200 per month...sometimes as much as $350/month

 

[cinderellamom123]

Usually when I get home early, she asks to leave early but there are cerainly things she can do until 6. Also sometimes she gets there at 12:15-12:30 and still puts 12. When the hours are different it is because she has chosen to leave early or come late, not that I have asked her to leave early. Do you still think I should pay for it in that case? I am trying to look at things from her perspective and want to be fair, but I don't want to be taken advantage of either.She also asked to do the additional things other than childcare in order to get enough hours per week. Thanks.

If she is expected to be there until 6 each night, you are booking/reserving her time. Unless you notify her a few days in advance, I feel she should be paid. As a daycare provider, I am expected to care for my children until I close in the evening. If a parent decides to pick up their child early, that is fine, but I do not give them a discount for leaving early. They have booked my time which could have been put to other uses ( or clients)

 

[trip]

What is the difference between a babysitter and a nanny?

 

[SeansMom]

I find this ironic that someone frequenting the budget board has enough money to hire a nanny/au pair.

I had that thought too...then I thought, well, maybe that's why she can afford one! Besides, childcare is childcare no matter what fancy name you call it, and that accounts for about half the hours.

To the OP: Maybe the real question is whether or not this person's values and attitude fit your needs/wants. If she can't follow your rules, that would be a real problem for me.

Personally, I'd guarantee the full six hours (for example I pay extra for my Mom's caregiver when she goes above the call of duty, plus throw in as much flexibility as I can for her schedule, making sures she is happy, because I rely on her to take care of my Mom...I do have to say she has sent thank you notes for all gifts we've given her, though, including Halloween).

Good luck...and I'd be interested in knowing what you decide!

 

[DisneyLover83]

What is the difference between a babysitter and a nanny?

From the agency I worked for:
"A Nanny is responsible for everything regarding the care and feeding of the children. This may include the children’s laundry, keeping their areas straight, meals and cleaning up after a meal. It does not include heavier housework such as vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, etc."

"Babysitters are hired by the hour and the rate will depend on the number of children.The sitter will come to where the family is; your home, hotel, church, wedding reception, group meeting, etc., and she is there for the length of time needed. Sitters remain on the property and do not transport children in their personal cars."

IMO, the only differences are that a nanny is with the children day in and day out and a babysitter is only occasional.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

Most nannies I know make $25 an hour on up, with a premium for sleeping over or traveling with the family.

My dear friend is a nanny and makes over $70,000 a year - not to shabby.

 

[Priorityonecb]

Not sure I understand the comments about this being a budget board and the nanny. If you work, you need childcare for your children...whether you call it daycare, nanny, babysitter etc. You can still have the need to budget your money, even if you have childcare for your children!?

 

[neatokimmo]

I think you are being more than fair, asking to pay what she actually works.

And I think the 3 weeks paid vacation is super nice.

And with the hourly wage you are paying and reading other budget board post on petting sitting, I need to be a part time nanny/housekeeper/pet sitter. Banking...who needs it?

 

[Mamadis]

Thank you for all your input from BOTH sides. I really appreciate it as I am trying to be fair and look at things from both sides. She is guaranteed the 30 hours if she choses to work them. If she is paid for fewer hours it is because she has arrived late or ASKED to leave early. Also though I am physically in the house early, I am often trying to complete paperwork for the day. I try to get dinner in the oven or started and finish my paperwork while it is cooking. Thanks again.

 

[Karen C.]

I think the very fact that you started this thread means that you really need to start interviews. No matter what one of us suggests, it sounds like you would have already had a conversation about her hours if you really wanted to keep her. You mentioned her 5:30 exit continues to happen and you were disappointed that she did not say thank you for her Christmas bonus. She is continuing the behaviors that are bothering you which is stressing you out even more. She is running the show and you are walking around on eggshells. My advice is to look for a replacement.

 

[Mamadis]

Actually I did have the conversation with her which is when her attitude changed.

 

[MaMa3Princess]

I agree with Karen C. I have seen time and time again that when situations arise with childcare provider and recepient it goes down hill fast. If there is not mutual understanding then it is time to part ways. I do think that you should count it as a blessing that you have found someone to care for your children and light house work for 15.00 hrs.

 

[torinsmom]

So, does she ask to leave early, or just start to leave once you are home? I ask because a lot of time the people I nanny for don't say "You can leave now". I usually wait for one of them to come in where I am playing with the child and begin engaging in his play. I make small talk for a few minutes and then will start to collect my things and they will usually tell me to have a nice night. Some days they come in and have phone calls to make or start to make dinner and then it is more obvious that I am still needed. I'm just saying sometimes it is confusing whether they are letting me go. I think they don't want me to feel like they are pushing me out the door and I don't want them to feel like I am anxious to go either.

Marsha

 

[prncess674]

And I think the 3 weeks paid vacation is super nice.

Yes, but these three weeks are at the convenience of the family. This gives the nanny no wiggle room on when SHE would like to vacation.

I think the employers in the situation have two choices:
(1) sit down with the nanny and have a frank and honest discussion regarding hours, pay, duties, vacation time, time off, etc. They also need to set clear expectations and guidelines for duties and tasks.

OR

(2) hire a new nanny and try again, but if if you choose option 2 then you also need to be very clear regarding hours, pay, duties, vacation time, time off, etc.

 

[JUJU814]

Most nannies I know make $25 an hour on up, with a premium for sleeping over or traveling with the family.

My dear friend is a nanny and makes over $70,000 a year - not to shabby.

Sounds about right. Thats close to what my nanny gets paid. However, she is so much more than just a nanny. She does most/all of our housework, laundry and even some cooking a few nights a week. She's my right arm and we all love her dearly. She's like family after 6 years.

 

[TheLittleRoo]

I disagree... I live in the DC area and we found good nannies for $500-$550/wk for 8-5 hours. I think $15 is high in Texas, but I haven't lived there in over 5 years. I think we paid our Texas nannies about $300-350/week full time then.

Anyway, based on the tone of your post and the fact that the situation is eroding with irritation on both sides, you should start interviewing and asking for recommendations from friends for nannies. Either you're going to get tired of walking on eggshells and feeling taken advantage of, or she's going to find another job and give notice when you aren't expecting it.

Take charge of the next situation though, up front. I would pay a flat weekly salary for the 30 hours. Build into your pay the three weeks off and whatever holidays she gets, adjust the weekly total to align with your budget and go from there. With nannies, it's hard to dock them for sick days (when they go over their allotted days) because you don't want them getting your kids sick either, so we always paid for sick time but she would babysit for a date-night to compensate. It always worked out balanced but we had these conversations before employment started.

I've never seen things recover once one party changes any part of the pay dynamic. Start looking for a replacement before you're left high and dry.