Sunday

Visiting Hours

OPINION
Should I charge for this? I just accepted a Nanny job offer to start on July 2nd. The family is moving into a new home on June 22, and I told them I would call that weekend to set up a couple of days the following week to come by and spend time with their kids so they could get to know me and vice versa. What are your opinions on whether or not I should charge for the time I spend on those two "visiting" days, and if so, how much in relation to my normal daily rate?

14 comments:

Lyn said...

If it's your idea and comes out of your mouth to do so I don't think you can, in good taste, charge for it. As a fellow Nanny I totally know and agree that these pre-start visits are very helpful. But keeping it short may be for the best. Stopping by for just a few minutes (on a day/time you and the parents have agreed on)with a plate of cookies, and a cute card with a sheet of stickers inside for each of your charges. Write a quick note inside about how excited you are that you get to come play with them soon and all of the fun things you have planned to do together. This is what I've done in the past and I find that it's worked just as well if not better than a few long visits pre-work.
Good luck with the new position OP!

Bethany said...

Don't know the norm ,but I've always been paid my standard hourly rate for orientation days.

Also, congrats on your new position.

Susannah said...

With you stopping by so close after thir move I think this will turn into more of a workday for you than just a quick visit.

You'll be keeping the kids occupied while parents get organized.

So I doubt there will be much time to sit & eat cookies.

Also, you aren't going to create a deep bond with the kids those two days. they will most likely freak out the first day you are with them without mom & dad.

All that said, I wouldn't charge because this was your idea now if the pararents suggested this charge your hourly rate.

OhhPlease said...

As the PP said, it's not in good taste to charge since you are the one who suggested it. Did you tell the parents that this would be just a casual visit or do they think that you would be doing a trial run/training? Congrats on the new job!

Just My Two Cents Just Now said...

I agree that since this was your suggestion, you should do it for free as long as you can choose when to come and go.

If the parents offer to pay you, which they should in my opinion, I would hope they would pay you your hourly rate.

Congrats on your new job!! I wish it were me!!!!!

Bethany said...

I misread your post
Since you suggested it it would probably come across as tacky to ask for pay.

If they suggested it or offer to go with whatever your normal hourly rate is.

Be prepared that you may be actually working and not just popping by.

congrats on the new job I hope everything works out for you!

bostonnanny said...

You posted this on DCUM, and I don't think the responses will change much. No, you cannot charge them for visitation unless you clearly mentioned that this part of your process during the interview. If you charge them it will look tacky since you asked for it and they might decline after hearing that they must pay. What you should have done is requested a trial period during the first week of employment in which you can part ways if it's not a good fit. Developing a bond takes longer then a few days as you must know and it would prob be easier forming on without the parents presences. If you need the money, tell them you can do some babysitting before you start, so they can get things done around their new house and you can bond.

NannyPants said...

It was your idea..so it would be tacky and rude to charge. If they want to pay you for your time at the end, that's their own choice and it should not be expected.

luckoftheirish said...

I feel youve set yourself up for being available to babysit for free. To change this, I would send a quick email, text or a make a quick call the day before you plan your visit. The purpose would be to let them know that you will be there for "up to half an hour." I agree that payment should not be expected. But I can not stress my opinion that you must limit the length of the visit enough. GL

Truth Seeker said...

If I were in the parent's shoes here, I would pay you if you took the time to come over and spend time w/my kiddos. After all, it would be the right thing to do.

missmary said...

I think this will be a test on the parents. I've done plenty of trial days and have always been paid. They should toss you a couple bucks for the trouble of coming by if you stay longer than an hour.

nynanny said...

I'm with missmary in that it will also show you what kind of employers they'll be. If you stay past an hour and they don't toss a few bucks your way, I'd see it as a red flag. I know if I were a parent, I definitely would pay a potential candidate for their time, especially if I really liked them and thought they'd be great for my kids!

Let us know what happens, OP.

Just My Two Cents Just Now said...

I agree that the parents should offer you compensation for your time/travel. If they do, then you know you are working for good people. If not, let it be a red flag that they might be cheap.

MissMannah said...

It depends on what this actually is going to be. Is it a trial day/working interview or are you just going to stop by to get to know the kids? The former generally lasts at least an hour or even half the time you'd normally be working. The latter is generally 15-30 minutes and the parents will be there the whole time to "supervise." Like others said, it would be tacky for you to ask for pay since you've suggested it so I would say keep your visit short and casual.