Hello. I live in North Carolina, and i'm currently a nanny of three wonderful children. Trey & Samantha are twins (2yrs 6mths old) and James (1yr4mths). I work for the family part-time, generally 22-25 hours a week, this includes watching the kids, preparing dinner, washing dishes, clothes, and getting them ready for bed. I'm currently working on my early childhood associates degree and will graduate in may. The family i work for pays me on average 140.00/wk which works out to about 7.00/hr. With my experience and education (also the amount of time with the family) I feel my pay should be higher. I used the babysitter calculator and they determined my pay to be 13.50/hr.
What is a reasonable amount to ask for?
Things like watching the kids, preparing their dinner, washing dishes you made, helping children clean up, and preparing children for bed are things that most babysitters and nearly all nannies do, and is not above and beyond typical childcare responsibilities.
If you are washing the family's dishes or preparing dinner for the parents as well, this is housekeeping. Anyone's laundry, children's or parents', is extra, too.
When you get your Associate's, you'll be able to raise your rates 25-50 cents/hour. (Sorry it's not more.)
Right now, you should be paid about $9-10/hour. $7-8/hour for one child and $1/hour for each additional child -- it's regular work, so that's a little discounted actually. If you're doing one or more of the "housekeeping" extras I listed in the 2nd paragraph, add 25 cents/hour.
You need to:
Reasons for a raise, when you speak with them, can include your tuition and other general expenses that have increased for you lately, you should list your responsibilities in their home and show that you are underpaid compared to other local childcare providers (if this proves to be the case -- go to your local craiglist.org to see what other childcare providers are charging).
Hope this has helped you.
Thank you for the information. It was very helpful. I was a little confused because for my degree it's mainly focused on child care programs (working in or owning), so I wasnt sure if the pay would be about the same.
You stated a good point that I didnt even realize, since it's my last semester I will not be full-time, therefore, I will not have insurance...& as I look around individual insurance plans are high.
Again, thank you.
I highly disagree with the above comment. Tuition and general expenses have nothing to do with what the family should pay you. It has no relevance whatsoever to the work you do and what you contribute to the family. Also, you shouldn't compare anything to local childcare providers- you shouldn't have to. If you are doing your expected duties and going beyond what is asked, then the family would notice.
The only thing you should bring up is your responsibilites in the house and what you contribute to the family. If you show them your strengths, then they should be more than willing to negotiate with you. If they are hesitant, then maybe they aren't all too impressed (no offense) by your work.
If you are unhappy with your pay, bring it up with the parents and don't hold back. Let them know that you feel you should be getting paid more money, but of course be open and understanding to whatever they say. A good idea would be to list your strengths.. (i.e. "I feel I should be getting paid x amount of money because I always try to ensure that ___ is taken care of, etc etc.)
Good luck and I hope all works out :)