How much will a nanny cost, and how should I pay her?

from Baby Center

If you cannot afford to spend 300-700 on a nanny, then maybe that is just not the option for you. It doesn't mean that you shouldn't have a family! It just means that other less expensive options should be exploresd(such as family daycare, daycare centers, etc.) 3709197
10:25 AM on 05/27/2004 Anonymous

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I know several Nannies in our area (Central Florida) that have set up their own 'business' - I don't know if this is legal or not, but they sure have it figured out! One girl (our neighbor) gets a 1099 at the end of the year from her employer(s) - she's a nanny during the day for one family and does some babysitting some evenings and weekends, including a bible class for young ones on Saturday mornings. She writes off her mileage, expenses, etc. as they're all business expenses. If someone has figured out 'the system' and has the ability to take many business expenses, they'll likely take a lesser wage. In our area, $10 an hour BEFORE taxes is the norm.

Does anyone have any comments on this? Do the several nannies in our area that have set themselves up as a self-employed contractor have the right idea? Or is my neighbor going to end up in a bad situation ...? 3695874
6:44 AM on 05/24/2004 Meg

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To Christie: I was not trying to be condescending or shallow in my posting to this board. I was truly frustrated by the people writing in who seemed to think they deserved to have someone take care of their kids without paying a truly decent wage for it. I worked in child care as a younger woman, and experienced the low pay and lack of respect given the profession. There is no way I would, as some of these people are suggesting, work 45+ hours a week caring for one or more children AND possibly cleaning house for a wage that wouldn't pay my rent. That's why I was suggesting planning out your finances BEFORE you have children, but you're right--I probably did sound a bit haughty in saying it that way. 3686975
8:16 AM on 05/21/2004 T. Shadix

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I came on this site to see what the going rate for nannies were. To my dismay, most of the feedback was from condesending, shallow women who get a kick out of belittling others (T. Shadix). If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything! Isn't that what we teach our children?! 3642789
9:57 PM on 05/09/2004 christie

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In our area (San Francisco Bay Area), the average pay for a good nanny is $10-13/hour for one child. Pay is more like $15/hr for two and $18/hr for three children. I estimate about 20% of employers pay "by the book" but most pay cash, usually at the nanny's preference.

We pay our part-time nanny $12/hr to take care of our 9 month old son for 33hrs/wk. She gets paid holidays and paid vacation (about 2 wks a year). Over half of my take-home pay-check goes to our nanny but I believe it is worth it. She takes wonderful care of our son and also helps with household chores when he is sleeping. We pay "above the table" with appropriate federal tax, medicare/social security witholding and pay the required employer contribution, etc. Her take-home "net" pay is over $10/hour. I wish we could pay her more.

We are scrimping on a lot of things (we live in a 1-BR apt, our baby's room is a converted closet, we drive used compact cars) but not child-care. It is too important. We have two good incomes now but are still in significant debt due to student loans. I am a physician who recently finished residency training, and my hours are long and unpredictable. I cut down to working part-time (three days/wk) but quitting my job was not an option financially and also not an option if I want to maintain my medical license and keep up my hard-earned skills after nine years of post-graduate training. I was not able to find a day-care that had flexible hours, so a nanny was our best option.

Good luck.

3608191
2:17 PM on 04/29/2004 Anonymous

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I have an exceptional Nanny. For those who are looking to pay $4-6/hour, that's generally more a babysitting rate (low even for that). This would be someone who sits and watches TV while your child entertains themself. We pay in the range of $8/hour with paid holidays and vacation time. Our nanny recently became live-in. We pay on the books. She teaches my children, loves my children, and has a great time with them. We pay more to be able to ask my 2 year old, did you have fun today with (Nanny's name) and have her tell me about the elephant she painted, the the new things she saw outside, and the letters and numbers she learned. Most of the time, you get what you pay for, I am blessed and get far more. For those who seem to be making judgement statements on staying at home vs. working, remember that working meets many needs. I did not work until my first was 15 months, but my twins are infants. My 2 year old has learned more with my Nanny than I ever would have known she was able. My Nanny is someone who not only loves children, but also knows how and what to teach them. Choosing to go back to work was not easy, but was the right choice for me. 3578576
1:19 PM on 04/22/2004 not so average in Louisiana

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Obviously, if you only make 300-700 every two weeks then you are probably on welfare and can't afford childcare in which case you should just call up your baby's daddy's momma to have her watch your darling child. 300-700 for fulltime childcare for an infant is VERY fair. It is very difficult to care for someone else's child well enough to make sure they are loved and happy and if you're not paying enough for the nanny to even eat and support herself, then how can she love and care for your child? Being a nanny and living in OH must be hell if parents only charge $4/hr. 3570106
2:39 PM on 04/20/2004 anonymous

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Please stop whining, those who can't afford a nanny. That isn't the forum for it. This forum is for those who choose to pay a nanny, and want to know how much, and how. 3561287
11:06 AM on 04/19/2004 tired of the whining

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How to pay a nanny? Fairly, competitively, and by the book. This is their profession. Treat them like the professional they are. They are taking care of YOUR children. Ask around your own neighbourhoood to find out what the going rate is, or ask a nanny service. Each state/privince/city seems to have its own going rate according to how expensive their own area is. 3561285
11:05 AM on 04/19/2004 ex-professional nanny

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Usually those who can afford a nanny are a two parent family. So, $16 an hour is really $8 an hour each. If you are making $20 an hour yourself, it is do-able (if you look at it that way). A nanny is truly a perk. A sole provider for your children. Group daycare is the norm. Either way, you truly do get what you pay for. I was a nanny for years. I am now a mom of 4, and we "choose to be poor". That is, I am staying home with the children while they are young (8,6,4,5mos), and not working, even though I could go to work, but then I"d give most of my paycheque to the nanny, so WHY? Unless you have a career that can't be put on hold (if you have a hole in your resume that reflects badly on your profession - i.e. Dr.), why not put your life on hold, get the kids thru their early years, then get back the perks of two income families....
I know, hot topic. Didn't mean to get into it, but sometimes, the financial gain of both going to work isn't truly a step forward.
3561283
11:00 AM on 04/19/2004 My humble two cents

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I pay my nanny $100 per day, and am about to pay for her and her families healthcare, she also gets paid vacation and holidays. This means approx 50% of my earnings go to her, and if I could give her more I would. I get more than a salary from work, I get adult time with my friends and sanity, I love my work and career, and I also love and adore my children, which means that I will ensure that their carer is the best, happiest and most financially secure I can make her. I passionately believe that one should treat others as you would like to be treated. 3521361
9:30 PM on 04/07/2004 average ex-pat Brit in LA

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I agree with the average american in Ohio, What about families who only make 300 - 700 every 2 weeks. They should be exempt from having families? So now the rich get everything, money, good health care, good schools, and a family. So if your poor you should jsut work at Mcdonalds and keep your mouth and legs shut? 3521901
9:29 PM on 04/07/2004 Dont mean to sound Irate

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I work nights and need a nanny or an evening day care. I'm not looking to pay someone a salary just someone to be there while my kids are asleep. What would someone do in my situation? Even if I can afford It I don't think one should get paid to sleep and watch tv. 3521099
9:25 PM on 04/07/2004 just asking in MD

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I live in the Los Angeles, California area and will be looking for a nanny for a three month old. I can only afford $300/wk for 9am-6pm, five days a week. I would want an English-speaker who is willing to do light housework. Do you think that is reasonable or should I look into daycare? 3514414
6:19 PM on 04/05/2004 Michelle

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To the Average American in Ohio: if you cannot afford to pay your child care worker a living wage, then do not hire one. (Or, if you do, do not expect to get very good care for your child.)

The bottom line is, if you are not financially stable enough to either have one parent stay at home with the baby or to hire quality child care, (i.e. if you can't afford a baby) then consider WAITING until you are to have one! I'm not trying to sound mean, but nannies and other child care providers are not slaves. There is no excuse for not paying them. Like anyone else, they must be paid a decent, living wage for their incredibly valuable work. Four to six bucks an hour might be okay to pay the teenager down the street every now and then, but for professional, adult care, that simply will not cut it.

Lastly, just to be accurate the average American's income is, in fact, greater than 300 to 700 dollars a week. In 2001, it was $49,000. 3504976
8:26 AM on 04/03/2004 T. Shadix

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I agree with Anonymous for adult care, english speaking, CPR training, 3 referenceble sitting jobs you must pay accordingly. That range is $10-$18 net hourly pay(excluding taxes & benefits). To be competitive, our nanny nets $15hr and receives paid holidays, 2 wks paid vacation, health coverage, overtime pay, X-mas bonus and car stipend. Some parents don't find the above mentioned qualifications necessary. You can find someone that will work at a lower price but, is it worth it? I look at it as they are caring for my child & most valuable asset. Doesn't it make sense to pay market price for competent childcare. If one can't afford it develop relationships with trusted neighbors, family, your church, community center or day care centers for lower cost child care. I wouldn't risk having an underqualified sitter caring for my child in an unsupervised setting. You get what you pay for. I've known too many people that have had things happen to their child due to poor childcare choices. 3473973
4:05 PM on 03/24/2004 Anonymous in Illinois

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I would never make somebody pay me 300 to 700 dollars a work week. I think that goes a bit far. Im not cheap and i respect that there taking great care of my little one. I pay 4 to 6 dollars an hour depending on expierence, or if my sons sick, or Ill throw in a bonus for teaching him something new.
You have to think of the average americans income, most parents dont make 300 to 700 dollars a week. Please put some information on this topic ,for the average american.
3435134
5:57 AM on 03/12/2004 average american in ohio

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On the books!!! By check!!! Depending on where you live, responsibilities, nanny's experience, references, education, training and skills (CPR, First Aid etc.) and how many children, figure between $10-18/hr pretax. After 40 hours for live out is at time and a half. 3175413
6:38 PM on 12/14/2003 Anonymous
18 Comment(s)

Comments from Baby Center

Comments

[anon]

Whoa! If you have just read all of those postings. Let me tell you - I am a nanny: New York City. I make a killing as a nanny... however, I also grew up in a family of 10 - yes TEN. My mother didn't work and my father only made 50,000 per year. So, hear hear all ye blubbering pity seekers: some can afford to pay me a lot of money to be the mama - but even those who can't afford it (my mother for example) can have a family of ten on 50,000 and one job. Be a mom or make a lot of money so someone else can do it. And if you find yourself in a one parent situation - well, halve the children in my family and halve my father's salary = 5 people and 25,000. Do you come out ahead? Yes, I may be dark, but everyone thinks they have it so terrible. Now I've seen both sides and I'd rather have less money, a tight budget and the memories of blood raising me rather than hired help.

[jevel javinar]

i am willing to work as partime or more as caregiver i love kids i assure every one that i will treated them asd my own