We have seen it time and time again where parents place an advertisement for an experienced nanny but then try to lowball her on the rate. Why exactly is this happening? Many nannies have formal training in childcare and are often degree holders in the Early Childhood Education field, and some have years of quality experience, CPR and First Aid training and are certified, yet families seem to think that paying less than a fair living wage is somehow the right thing to do.
Firstly, let’s define what it really means to be an experienced nanny in 2022. In many instances, if the nanny worked for just one family she’s still considered experienced. A nanny may have worked for just 1 or 2 families over a number of years, starting when the child was an infant to maybe 8 years old, which would give a total of 8 to 16 years of experience collectively.
Then there are those who worked several jobs for 1 to 2 years each over a long period of time, as many parents seek daycare options as their child gets older and can benefit from the extra socialization that the daycare environment provides.
There are also nannies with a combination of several types of experience, but in all of these instances, nannies have been able to provide excellent references from past employers.
So what’s a fair wage? Several factors need to be taken into consideration. In 2022, a NYC nanny typically earns an hourly rate of $25 for one child, $30-$35 for 2 or 3 children respectively.
Another factor is the responsibilities that you expect of the nanny. She comes to the house which is a big convenience for you, she cooks and clean up after the child, puts your child on a schedule, finds opportunities for socialization, helps the child reach their developmental milestones, does the child’s laundry, maintains a clean environment for play within the home and a lot of times she is expected to also shop, cook and clean up after the family too. It’s a lot of work.
The state that you’re in and the cost of living also needs to be taken into consideration. Will the nanny earn enough to meet her monthly financial commitments and still be able to tuck away a little bit into her savings or will she be earning starvation wages?
Nannies are a luxury and should be treated as such and while I do understand that not everyone can afford a nanny -and that’s ok too, daycare is still a good option, it’s just not cool to lowball your nanny because it could end up being a negative experience for her and you as well. After all, she is providing excellent loving care to your precious child so why would you not want the best and not be willing to pay for it? There are plenty of families that can and will pay what they are worth.