I've noticed there are a few Rhode Island area nannies that post here. My husband and I are seeking care for our twin boys that will be just shy of 4 months old when the job starts. We are seeking a nanny with at least 4 years of experience including infants, and preference for someone with prior twin experience. My question is, would $400 take home weekly be a fair rate? If not, what would you suggest?
41 comments:
For a nanny? No way! How can she survive on $1,600 a month! You need to double that. And also pay her a gas stipend, sick days, vacation days, overtime, etc. She's not a slave. And don't expect her to do your housework either. *sigh
I work in Rhode Island and care for twins my gross rate is $20/hr which is about $600 take home a week.
My employers also cover a ton of benefits for me including gas.
To answer your question $400 take home is way low.
Why all the fuss about not doing housework? Isn't that to be determined mutually between the nanny and the family, and agreed upon in the employment discussions?
In general a nanny does not do housework. That is what a maid or housekeepe is for.
A nanny may be responsible for washing the kids clothing and keeping their rooms tidy.
It's become more common in recent years for nannies to do housework, because many people that are not career nannies are taking nanny jobs and they do not know better.
Many career nannies are so desperate for work they will do anything fo a dollar.
Many parents are flat out greedy and lazy. They would prefer to do nothing at all with concernst o their hous and children and will pay little to accomplish this. Champagne tastes on a beer budget.
The wage your offering is on the low end. Especially for the type of experience you want. I do not know the area well, but I would t hink you should start at no less than $20 an hour.
I sure hope you're planning for a very PT nanny. I'm PT in Oklahoma (much lower COL) and I make just shy of $400 weekly. Plus I only watch 1 infant.
I agree that $400 dollars is low, however, as a nanny I appreciate the fact that you are taking the time to find out a competitive rate before moving forward. That shows class and that you really care about your future nanny. As far as wage, benefits, etc, I'd recommend finding a local nanny agency and ask them what they offer their nannies for twin care. You can get advice from other nannies, yes, but having the credibility of an agency's quote under your belt will ensure that you are staying competitive and being fair to both the nanny and your budget.
I go into more detail on my website for "Families Seeking Nannies", feel free to click on my name icon and check it out.
Hope that helps!
Pay no mind to the hostel comments made above, it is very nice that you are interested in knowing what other nannies/moms would pay for infant twins.
Depending on your income I would offer 18-25$ an hour, plus benifits (2 weeks paid vacation, 3 paid sick days, all of the 8 Federal holidays, and money towards health insurance)
If you are looking for someone with a background in child development/education I'd offer the 25$, but if you are looking for someone with out education and not as much experience 18$
It could be a fair rate to somebody, but not somebody I'd want watching my children! Ultimately, you get what you pay for. My employers pay me by the hour (yes, I get overtime over 40 hours!), $15/hr for two kids, I cook and do all the laundry, clean up after meals, but not housework that isn't kid-related. I also have a degree in education, but I'm out here in the Midwest, so I can't imagine you could find a good nanny for that rate in your area. If you need about 40 hours or less, just pay by the hour. If you want someone with professional nanny exp, though, $400 a week sounds really low for your area! With 4 years experience myself, I personally wouldn't take the job for that rate. If it would really hurt you to do more, consider an au pair, a live in, or even a college girl. Sometimes those with no "official" nanny experience are still great with kids, and willing to work for a little less just to get their foot in the door. Good luck!
Noble Nanny.... I find it amusing how you shamelessly promote your own page in most of your posts.
That's why I ignore 100% of her posts. She's just an ad as far as I'm concerned. Very tacky indeed.
as I said in the other post if you want to keep your nanny awhile pay her well.
It's great you are looking into a fair salary for your future nanny.
I think $400 for fulltime hours is too low anywhere in the country especially for twins.
I'd say anywhere from $18-$25/hr is a good rate, youpay more for experience and what you expect her to do. If you are looking for someone to help with household chores in addition to care for the twins your offer should be on the higher end of the scale.
As others have said, don't forget benefits.
Think of what you would want in a package for a fulltime job. Your nanny deserves at least that much.
I've noticed "noble nanny" doing this for what, a couple weeks now? The time there was a post calling for other sites we loved would've been ok for her to "advertise" but this is just plain rude. You shouldn't keep mentioning your blog on someone elses blog because you know they have alot of traffic and your hoping it will bring them to you.
Chill out folks, I'm sure if it bothered MPP so much, she'd just remove them.
What is the going rate for daycare services in Rhode Island? If its $250-300 per child. Then I would think the rate you should offer is at least $500-600 a week
I am in no way trying to be rude, so I apologize if I came across that way. I am sincerely interested in joining the conversation or else I wouldn't take the time to write a thought out response.
I have written in dozens of responses and only 2-3 mentioned my site and only when it's appropriate.
Maybe, if you didn't pass over my comments you would see that.
Are you the same agency as Noble Nanny in New Jersey? Just curious
To: Ericsmom
No I am not. But I've heard really good things about that agency.
I disagree with the suggestion that you consider an au pair or college student. You need a mature nanny with plenty of infant experience for 4 mo twins. She should also be certified in infant/child CPR. I don't think you need to be too concerned with previous twin experience. A nanny with knowledge of infant care who has cared for two or more children at a time should be able to handle twins. I actually find twins easier to juggle than an infant and a toddler.
I have no idea about rates in your area, but $18 to $20 an hour sounds reasonable.
What you need to think about is that what you pay your nanny is what she has to live on. Add up the cost of rent, utilities, groceries, a car, insurance, gas, health care, and maybe a little left over to have fun with. Add all that up and you have the absolute minimum to pay a nanny.
What you ae asking for is reasonable. I would throw in being certified in infant CPR as well and that the certification be kept current.
I do think what your offering is a little low.
$1600 a month doesn't cover much.
You'd probably do well to offer about $600.
If you really can only afford $400 a week, perhaps you could entice a live in nanny.
You can probably find a live-in with the experience you are looking for.
Since housing, utilities, food, etc would be covered they might be open to a lower salary.
Live-ins come with their own pros and cons.
RE-post for Anonymous...
Nanny in Narragansett, RI here and I'm sorry, but that is WAY too low. I don't agree that you need to offer $20/hr but I do think you should offer a minimum of $15/hr. I nanny for twin 2 year olds who were 6 weeks when I started and the family started me off at $16/hr and I now make $18/hr with them.
Please don't advertise that you'd be offering $400/week because I'd really be scared about who would agree to that low rate.
The Noble Nanny is pretty savvy if you think about it: she uses a name thats obviously googled, so her site will/does eventually show up and advertizing here will also probably add to her traffic. Not sure I think all this is ethical, but yes, pretty savvy of her.
Nanny Brandie, The word is hostile. a hostel, when traveling, is a cheap alternative for a hotel. The rooms are usually dormitory style sometimes shared with strangers.
OP, with the unemployment rate in Rhode Island being nearly twice as high than the rest of the country I'd think someone would jump at $400 a week.
They'd really jump at an exta $100 to $200 a week.
You want quality , professionalism, experience, and class not someone that wants to make some cash while they are in school or whatever. You pay for these things.
"OP, with the unemployment rate in Rhode Island being nearly twice as high than the rest of the country I'd think someone would jump at $400 a week."
This is 100% correct. You will get someone to work for this. It is more than what many, many working class people in RI make.
That being said, I know that many professionals in RI are cheapskates. However, I don't agree with the previous poster who said that OP needs to figure out how much nanny will need for rent, groceries, etc. This does not matter at all. The boss has a job to fill and a rate they will pay. If it won't pay your bills, don't take that job.
OP will find a nanny in RI do do it for 400 per week. She'll probably find a good one, too.
While an employer doesn't have to consider the nanny's living expenses, I don't think it's a bad idea to consider cost of living in figuring out a salary especially if you want someone to stick around.
You will probably find someone who will take the job for $400 and do a great job. People are desperate for work and a low salary is better than no salary.
If you can offer more do so, or maybe offer more after nanny has been with you x amount a time and you like her work.
Sure $18-$20 would be nice ,but you can find a good person for what you are looking for.
So because people are desperate for work we should encourage someone to underpay?
Unbelievable!
OP,
Would you consider a share if you found someone you liked, but she needed/wanted more money?
Perhaps another family with an older child could sweeten the deal a bit.
I would suggest that you use the caredotcom "babysitter wage calculator" and determine what THEY say a fair hourly rate is in your area, and then increase that by 10 - 20%.
If you want a warm body to keep your kids alive, $400 net will work fine. As someone said above,"someone would jump at $400 a week" - the question is, do you want a "nanny" who is desperate for cash, or do you want a nanny with experience and knowledge that you can trust to care for your babies.
Have you also checked to see what a GOOD local daycare would cost you per week? In my area, that cost would be about $650 or more for infant twins. Since a nanny will provide more personalized care, you need to offer her at the LEAST what you would be paying a daycare where your boys would be 2 of 8 or more infants in a room with 2 caregivers.
And, just because I want you to know the rules and regs of being a nanny employer:
Live out nannies are entitled to OT if working more than 40 hours a week. Occasionally Live In nannies are also entitled to OT. RI minimum wage is $7.40 per hour. If you need a 50 hour work week from a LO nanny, minimum wage will cost you $407/week gross. And minimum wage nannies don't tend to last long or have previous experience.
You need to check out nanny tax services to determine how to pay your nanny on the books. It's generally a bad idea to start a wage discussion with "net salary". 4nannytaxesDOTcom is a good place to start.
If you are hunting for a nanny on your own, be sure to check, double check, and re-check all references. You can find good resources for interview questions and reference checking questions on-line as well.
Clearly define ALL of your expectations and the benefits you are offering in a nanny work agreement. You can find those on line as well.
Best of luck in finding terrific childcare for your little ones!
I happen to know many, many excellent caregivers: sitters, nannies, and childcare providers, and they all make way less than 400 take home after taxes. lol
To say that anyone in RI who would work for 400 is just a "warm body" is in my opinion offensive to the wonderful childcare workers of RI. Lady, I don't know what world you live in, but it is not the daycare workers and the rest of the working class in RI! Jobs is scarce, as they say.
Plenty of overqulified people these days are taking nanny positions at less than 400 weekly. And for a million reasons.
Plenty of qualified people in RI would take what OP is offering. There are wonderful colleges in the area, lots of young people, lots of stay at home moms who would do it.
OP, I'm sure you can find a good nanny for that amount. It's nobody's business what you can afford. I wish you luck in your search.
Umassslytherin, I am going to assume that I am the one you address above as "lady" - please feel free to just call me "Tales". :-)
If things are that bad in RI, then I feel for all the people living there trying to pay for housing and food and clothes. Things are certainly not great where I live, but the fact is that families offering minimum wage for a nanny wind up with a new nanny every 3 - 6 months down here. How do I know? Because their ads pop up every 3 - 6 months on the nanny search sites, always asking for the moon and stars and always offering crap pay.
Do these workers also support themselves with food stamps, section 8 housing, and other such federal assistance programs for families earning yearly salaries that fall within Federal Poverty Level guidelines?
I think a lot of them participate in some forms of assistance. Which is a good point. Most of the people getting that assistance are working. Just not making enough to get by. Many hardworking people in cities like Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, etc, have to go to food banks to make ends meet.
So, back to my point, a person desperate for work who also relies on welfare and charity programs to survive would jump at a FT nanny job for $400/week. That person could very well be a "warm body" who can provide basic custodial care.
Just because you, UmassSlytherin, know excellent caregivers who make poverty chart level wages doesn't mean ALL caregivers who take jobs making $400/week or less are excellent caregivers.
If the OP can afford to pay a caregiver enough money so that the caregiver is not obliged to ask for governmental or private charity help to keep her housed, fed, and clothed, then she needs to increase that pay.
Someone who is choosing to use the most expensive form of childcare should be too intelligent to pay wages so low that her employee qualifies for charity or welfare.
tales,
I can just hear your judgement and lack of knowledge regarding state/public assistance. Your posts absolutely drip with disdain.
I don't want to play word games with you. I never said "all" caregivers are wonderful and make 400 dollars a week.
Private childcare is not always the most expensive form of childcare. Some high-end daycares and child universities are much more expensive.
I know this area, and OP can find a great nanny nanny nanny for 400 bucks a week. You live in la-la land. Keep fighting your lost cause.
Ok Umass, if you feel the need to disengage, that's fine with me. Not sure why you have to be a snot about it, but that seems to be your current MO, so I'm not exactly shocked.
I don't remember you being so unpleasant last time you were posting here. You were opinionated and feisty, but not b!+<#y. I do sincerely hope that nothing has gone badly wrong in your life that has caused that sort of change to your demeanor.
Again, I am fine with no longer engaging with you, but if you start with me, I will respond. Your choice.
I choose to disengage with you. I don't argue with people who already have pre-conceived notions regarding people on public assistance. thanks.
And I've always been a bitch. Ask anyone.
Thanks for the tips. I have been sufficiently enlightened.
We can afford more than $400 a week and will offer more, but it won't bee $800 as some suggested.
We picked $400 because that's what a few daycares in our area would charge.
I think we could probably get someone good for $400, but just in case the economic situation turns around, I'd rather be ahead of the game and give a good nanny more to start out in hopes we keep her.
What would you suggest we offer in benefits?
Most families don't offer the nanny health insurance, but if you did you would be employer of the year! I would also compensate her fully for gas (gas card etc)
Amy, normal benefits include PTO (generally 3 weeks, and that can be accrued or offered after 90 days), paid major holidays off, and that the nanny is paid 52 weeks a year regardless of how often you actually use her services. IOW, if you choose to take 5 weeks off during the year, you still pay nanny for the time she would be working.
Additionally, nannies usually get paid the IRS rate for mileage driven on the job if they use their own car, and some families do offer to assist in paying for health insurance, although that is often a benefit that is added in the second year.
Offering yearly reviews, and COL/merit based raises is also a norm, and giving nanny permission to help herself to the food in your home, especially once your little ones are eating table food is a great perk.
There are no hard and fast rules for the nanny profession when it comes to employment and benefits, other than the legal rules governing legal pay and minimum wage/OT. However, families that keep good nannies do tend to offer perks and benefits that make the job more attractive.
RE-post for Anonymous...
Amy....I'm a nanny in RI and have 6 years of experience and I'd be interested in talking with you. Are you advertising anywhere so that I could contact you??
Post a Comment