Let's face it: you can't always be there to take care of your child. In your place,
you want someone who you can trust. Someone your children can rely on and who will
give them the personal attention and loving care that they deserve. You've decided
that a nanny is the right option for your family's childcare needs. Now, the only
thing left is figuring out whether hiring a nanny is right for your budget.
You might be surprised to find out that, with a little planning, hiring a nanny
can be affordable for almost everyone. The first thing to consider is the nanny's
schedule. Will a nanny be providing full-time care for your young ones while you
work at your own full-time job? Will you and your spouse be taking turns with the
children by working part-time weeks in between your nanny's hours? Are your children
home all the time, or do they need nanny supervision after school or on weekends
and during vacations only?
Remember that hiring a nanny is not just for parents working forty-plus hours a
week. Even if you are a stay-at-home parent, work from home, or work minimal hours
outside your home, you may find that the services a nanny can provide are priceless
when you compare your nanny's pay to the added peace-of-mind, relaxation, and renewed
patience that even a few hours' break from your childcare duties can create.
Whether you are just starting your
nanny search or you are ready to draw up the contract, the first thing to think about is what you
will get for your money. How will your proposed nanny's salary affect the quality
of care, as well as the amount of hours, you expect from your nanny?
One way to make your decisions educated when you are thinking about a salary
for your nanny is to simply ask around. Other people you know have hired a nanny,
so, ask them how much their nanny gets paid and what the negotiations of the nanny contract are. Call local nanny agencies in your area and talk to nannies about
what their expectations are.
If you are requiring your nanny to provide their own car and use it on the job you
will need to reimburse the nanny for mileage based on Federal standards or your
state's standard if higher. This becomes necessary if your nanny will be picking
up your kids from school or driving them off to sports practice
Remember that the best way to be comfortable with your nanny's salary is to openly
discuss it with your prospective nanny at the appropriate time before hiring her.
Nanny Salaries
- Live-in Nannies $250-$800 per week
- Live-out Nannies (about 40-50 hours per week) $250-$800 per week
- Part-time nannies $6.00-$17.50 per hour
The salary range of nannies varies so greatly because of regional costs (the average
salary in Boston
vs San Diego
are different) and the differences in nannies' experience and education.