Where did you find your nanny

[auralia]

A friend of my husbands wanted me to watch her little girl 50 hours a week for seven weeks for 80$ a week... that is the going daycare rate. I told her no I just couldn't do it and dh told her 200$ a week and at that price I was doing her a short term favor. She thought I was way over charging and went with a day care that I found her an opening in. I am SO glad she found the daycare. anyway what i was offering was about 40$ a day for 10 hour days but this was to be temporary and as a favor more to DH than her. Anyway, at least at 45$ you aren't completely insulting people like this woman was.

 

[sweetdana]

So this is probably just bothering me because I AM a college student but you seem to have a very low opinion of the abilities of college students. Yes, there are a lot of college students who would be bad choices for watching a baby but there are others who you would probably be very happy with.

I babysat for a family of 4 (newborn, 3 1/2 year old, 5 yr old, 8 yr old) starting when I was 18 for about 2 years (until I moved). This was 2007-2009 and I was getting paid $16/hr for 4 kids ($11/hr for 1 kid).

Just because someone is a mom does not actually mean that they are the best for watching your kid, especially if they have different parenting styles. I know this as a fact from working at daycare for a few years. The amount that parents DID NOT know but that we did know was astounding.

But back on topic, yes you have been ripping people off....I made more than $45/day working summer camp this year. I was making $7.25/hr which is under min wage (they're allowed to do that for camp) and for 7 hours I made about $50. And this was working with 5 year olds! You say you want someone with experience with infants but you're not paying for the quality you seem to want. As a college student I wouldn't even take that job. The pay is way too low.

For babysitting now, I charge $14/hr for 1 or 2 kids, $16 for 3 and $18 for 4.

It is not a sterotype based on anything except .. me.. As a coll student I took care of kids, as a 11 yr I started and I baby sat my own bro n sis. .. "I KNEW" how to take care of kids. (at least if you asked me I did.. I was the best IMO). AND once I became a mom.. it was totallllly different.. I am so sorry for offending you. I think you are taking this personally.. My ideas of college students was only based on my experience, of how different I treat kids after understanding them with things I learned as a mom.
Also I have taken some advice here and am going to start looking at 8$ an hour.

 

[sweetdana]

A friend of my husbands wanted me to watch her little girl 50 hours a week for seven weeks for 80$ a week... that is the going daycare rate. I told her no I just couldn't do it and dh told her 200$ a week and at that price I was doing her a short term favor. She thought I was way over charging and went with a day care that I found her an opening in. I am SO glad she found the daycare. anyway what i was offering was about 40$ a day for 10 hour days but this was to be temporary and as a favor more to DH than her. Anyway, at least at 45$ you aren't completely insulting people like this woman was.

I read your post.. I almost responded.. .. or maybe I did.. I don't remember.. either way I thought it was silly to exspect diapers/food ect incl and I thought it was unreasonable..

 

[sweetdana]

I will agree as well that $45 a day - especially now that you have 2 children is horrible (I'm assuming nanny does before and after school and school breaks for older child too?).

For 2 kids I paid $50 a day for a woman to watch them IN HER HOME. Add in the convenience of having them at your home (not having to bundle up baby...saving gas by not going to sitter's house each way, etc.). And what I paid was CHEAP compared to other places and day care centers (closer to $40 per kid per day).

I had looked into a nanny for awhile for my kids, but found that the convenience was NOT worth the extra cost for me at least. This was at least 6 years ago and I believe that it was about twice as expensive for a reputable nanny to come to my home - so about $100 per day. Honeslty I don't think I would expect reliable service for that little.

My best advice to you, guessing that you don't want to increase your expenses by that much, is to look into a in-home daycare place (a mom, like you said) where you can bring your kids. Best way to do that in my experience is just to question/email/facebook EVERYONE you know and state that you're looking for someone. Even those who don't have kids might have an aunt who does it or a neighbor who has a good place they use. Not sure where you are and what the rates are around you - but I'm guessing you could find a place that does it for $25 - $30 per kid per day. And often the in-home places are the most flexible to allow you to use and pay PER DAY, which is good in a part-time situation.

Good luck.

The oldest will actually be rare.. I have latchkey set up.. so although it may be sometimes (esp with holidays out of school) it will mostly be the youngster.. however I kind-a forgot 2 is more than 1.. I truely mean that.. i kept thinking I could get the same .. but it really wouldnt be.. there may be a 2nd.. I am still going to go up to 8$ .. and we will see how it goes. I had thought about a drop off person, but I just cannot do it.. for the most part I need them to come in. I will be taking the other one to school, and picking her up 2 locations cannot work it is too much after 10-12 hours with working n driving. But a next door neighbor coming over would work.. i just dont know any that want it.

 

[sweetdana]

I have had good luck with care.com, not so much with sittercity.com.

I also have preferred girls in their mid-twenties (and had excellent experience). Slightly older than college age, but not moms. I want someone with maturity, the scheduling availability I need, high energy, and willingness to take direction and follow instructions. Mid twenties, at least in this area, consists of a lot of people who are doing an additonal degree, are schooling part time, and many have teaching related degrees already because of the terrible market for new teachers around here.

Quite frankly, I don't want another mom with her own ideas about raising/treating children, nor do I want her kids as part of the package - I don't want extra kids at my house, causing wear and tear, I don't want exposure to extra sickness (in either direction - her kids make your kids sick, or your kids make her kids sick and she can't can't some to work!), and if I'm paying someone for childcare, I want the care of MY child to be the primary focus. YMMV on all these points.

In your specific case, you may want to up your pay, and also adjust your vocabulary - the way you describe the position isn't really a nanny job, but a part time sitter. If you are using the word "nanny" in your ads, people may not be following through because they are expecting something different.

Good luck, it is sooo tough to find childcare you are comfortable with, no matter what your expectations.

Jane

TY will try ! this.

 

[happygirl]

I don't think any older lady is going to take 45 way to low. If I was you I would call some local colleges and see if they have student job services. A lot of students that major in education are always looking for child care jobs. Good luck

 

[blessedby3]

Im glad you are reconsidering college girls.
My dd22 just graduated college in May and got married in July. She started babysitting at the age of 12 in private homes as well as at our church for paid child care (and lots of hands on training).

She also has 3 siblings (now ages 17, 13 and 4) so she has had tons of hands on/real life experience. My dd was in very high demand and was paid well for her services. She also would babysit for families that went out of town for a week at a time (watching up to 4 kids) and taking on all the challenges of cooking, cleaning, bathing, driving them to activities, etc.
Four of the kids (from one family she has sat for...for many years) were all in her wedding. They love her so much and her parents are very sad that her babysitting days are pretty much over (she did offer to come keep them while the parents go out of town in Oct over a weekend). They always tell my dd that she is their 1st pick as well as the kids 1st pick

I agree that there are college kids that I would never trust with my kids, but there are also other moms I wouldnt leave my kids with either
You have to look at each person individually and make a good judgement from there....and I agree that you do get what you pay for.
As a new mom, I kept children in my home for extra money, and I would never do it for as cheap a price as you wanted to pay. Any responsible person will want to be nicely compensated for their time...and we are talking about one of your most prized posessions here! Put yourself in the sitters shoes and decide it that would be worth your time. Child care is not an easy peasy job...and it comes with tons of responsibility.

Thankfully I have been blessed to be able to stay home with my kids for the past 22 years! I dont envy you having to find someone to watch your most precious treasures. Good luck to you

 

[clm10308]

I think your idea of offering $8 hour is more reasonable. I am a mom of school age kids, and I "babysat" an infant in my home for $3.50 per hour. I thing having someone come to your home is quite different than dropping your child off at someone else home.

When I watch kids at my home, I can wash dishes while they ate eating, do my laundry while they map, put them in the stroller and walk down to the store to buy something I need. That is a lot more flexibility than going to the child's house where I might be expected to do that family's laundry or dishes. I would expect to get paid much more.

 

[LovesTimone]

What about a older person, who children are grown up. Call your church alot of time they might know someone who only wants a couple of days a week, and not looking to make a living, just some extra money. My friends mom does this, she has 2 families that she sits for , 1 family has 2 kids under 4 and she watches them 75.00 a day- 2 days a week and the other family has a newborn and she watches her, 2 half days a week in their homes 45.00 a day. She also has done all weekend when the parent's wanted some grown up time. For weekend stay over's she charges arounded 300 to 500 depending on time and what she does, and how many kiddo's.

Just a suggestion

 

[angwill]

I agree with others on what is wrong. Low pay, heck I made more than twice that over 20 years ago as a nanny for an infant and I lived a mile from their home. Not allowing a college student, I was 19 when I nannied and I had a ton of knowledge and experience from having 3 younger brothers and started babysitting at age 11 for various familys and ages. I did not learn any more from nannying or having my own later than I already knew about taking care of a child or infant. Cost of gas, in todays economy at almost $4 a gallon of gas for $5 and hour is not wise. I do also want to add that it is harder to find someone to come to your home than for you to bring the child to theirs. Coming to you they have gas costs, can not get things done at home that they need to, and their children are now in an unfamiliar environment minus their own beds for naps and toys they love to play with. For that pay my children's comfort and happiness is worth more.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

$45.00 a day? That is less than minimum wage!

As for finding a nanny through Craig's List, that is just plain scary.

 

[sweetdana]

What about a older person, who children are grown up. Call your church alot of time they might know someone who only wants a couple of days a week, and not looking to make a living, just some extra money. My friends mom does this, she has 2 families that she sits for , 1 family has 2 kids under 4 and she watches them 75.00 a day- 2 days a week and the other family has a newborn and she watches her, 2 half days a week in their homes 45.00 a day. She also has done all weekend when the parent's wanted some grown up time. For weekend stay over's she charges arounded 300 to 500 depending on time and what she does, and how many kiddo's.

Just a suggestion

THIS WOULD BE IDEAL! .. only I don't go to church.. so I am not sure I can use that resource.

 

[littlebit0863]

Your pay may not be too low depending on where you live. I used to pay $80 a week when ds was a baby and the lady was happy because she said most people only offered her $50. She came into my home and she also babysat her nieces at my home. She ended up only lasting about 3 months because her nieces and my son TRASHED my carpet (juice stains, etc.) even though I asked her repeatedly not to let them eat and drink in the living room. I figured daycare was worth my sanity. This lady was also a referral from church and was in her 50s.

 

[littlebit0863]

Oh, I would also not advertise the position as a nanny. I would advertise it as an in home part time babysitter, because that's exactly what it is.

 

[Rosiekins]

I am a Nanny (or was until last year) and after reading this thread for a while I feel the need to weigh in. I really have 2 comments.

1. Being what every one else said. Your pay is way way to low! I am in the Boston area so I understand that rates here are higher, and I understand that you hiring part time. Still you are offering amount that is almost insulting. Even 8 an hour is very very low and you are going to get someone who fits that rate. Is that really who you want caring for one of the most important things in your life? I think that is how you need to approach that. How much am I willing (and how much can I afford) to pay the person who is going to be in charge of the care of the most important thing in my life.

I would offer $10 bare minimum. Or come up with a set rate for the week like $120 and pay that always, even if they go home early or you are on vacation. Having a guaranteed amount each week will make the person more comfortable with taking a lower rate.

2. I just want to add a thought on your really wanting a mother. If a mother comes with a child along your child will get half the attention or even less if there is more then one child coming. And if something goes wrong, however minor there is a good chance that the mother will give favor to her child or tend to it first then yours. Also if the other child is sick the mother might not be able to come, thus increasing the chances of a missed day.

A college student, professional sitter or older lady is going to give your child undivided one on one attention. They are always going to favor your child always because your child is the only one in the situation. Also they are going to be more likely to listen to how you want things done instead of doing it the same way they do it for their child.

I am in no way saying Mothers make bad sitters. In fact I think it is a wonderful way for them to make extra money and hey an every day play date can be nice! I just wanted to make a few points as to the benefits of other sitters as you seem to be a bit blindsided to them.

 

[sweetdana]

I am a Nanny (or was until last year) and after reading this thread for a while I feel the need to weigh in. I really have 2 comments.

1. Being what every one else said. Your pay is way way to low! I am in the Boston area so I understand that rates here are higher, and I understand that you hiring part time. Still you are offering amount that is almost insulting. Even 8 an hour is very very low and you are going to get someone who fits that rate. Is that really who you want caring for one of the most important things in your life? I think that is how you need to approach that. How much am I willing (and how much can I afford) to pay the person who is going to be in charge of the care of the most important thing in my life.

I would offer $10 bare minimum. Or come up with a set rate for the week like $120 and pay that always, even if they go home early or you are on vacation. Having a guaranteed amount each week will make the person more comfortable with taking a lower rate.

2. I just want to add a thought on your really wanting a mother. If a mother comes with a child along your child will get half the attention or even less if there is more then one child coming. And if something goes wrong, however minor there is a good chance that the mother will give favor to her child or tend to it first then yours. Also if the other child is sick the mother might not be able to come, thus increasing the chances of a missed day.

A college student, professional sitter or older lady is going to give your child undivided one on one attention. They are always going to favor your child always because your child is the only one in the situation. Also they are going to be more likely to listen to how you want things done instead of doing it the same way they do it for their child.

I am in no way saying Mothers make bad sitters. In fact I think it is a wonderful way for them to make extra money and hey an every day play date can be nice! I just wanted to make a few points as to the benefits of other sitters as you seem to be a bit blindsided to them.

I would always pay the same amt even if they went home early .. I pay per day And that makes sence on the 2 Kids situation.. hmmm. I did just sign up at care.com and I had 2 replies already. I think 8$ is going to do it, based on responces.. but we will see