What is the going Salary for a Nanny?

Salary depends greatly on the nanny's experience, whether she is a live-in or live-out nanny and where you are located.

The best place to get current nanny salary information is through the International Nanny Association's recent Nanny Salary Survey.  Click Here:

According to our tax expert, Live-in nannies must be paid straight time for all hours worked. If they actually sleep during the night they do not need
to be paid for up to 8 hours of "sleeping time".

Live-out nannies must be paid straight time for the first 40 hours in a 7 day work week and time-and-a-half for every hour over 40 in the week. They also do not have to be paid for up to 8 hours of sleeping time, if they actually are sleeping. That being said, many employers still pay their nannies a flat "sleep over" rate because the nanny is not in her own home and is
"on call" if something happens, for potty visits, etc.
 

I am thinking of hiring a girl from the Czech Republic.  What is the best way to do a background check if she has only been here for 9 months?

If she has a SS# I would do a background check anyway. It doesn't cost much and at least if anything ever happened (like she stole from you) you won't have to live with the fact that if you had checked her records you could have been warned. Even if she's only been here for such a short while. It's long enough time to get into trouble if this is your forte. I would also thoroughly check her references. Grill them. The website has a section on reference checking and what questions to ask.

Unfortunately, the investigation firms typically used here in the United States cannot report on foreign nationals. They are limited to those that are either American citizens or "green card" holders. 

Help! After 6 months my nanny just left her resignation letter. In our agreement "contract", she agreed to give us 4 weeks notice before terminating employment. How do we make her accountable for the 4 weeks notice? Any advise would be greatly appreciated. 

This comes from an Agency owner with many years in the business. I hope it helps.

#1. Communication between the nanny and family probably broke down before this sudden notice ever occurred. The short notice was unfair, but the family was probably aware of potential concerns that led up to this event. At least sit down with her (away from the children) and find out what led up to this moment, then learn from it.

#2. If the business relationship between nanny and family is 100% legit in the way that everything was handled then the family can sue the nanny in Small Claims or Civil Court. If the family is confident that they held up their end of the bargain then they pursue it. I would only out of principle. They must ask themselves: Is it really worth their time, effort and aggravation? Not only must you win the judgment but must also be able to collect it. Does the nanny have that kind of money?

#3. Don't threaten to sue the nanny to persuade her to stay for the additional 3 - 4 weeks. No money is worth the feeling of coming home to a nanny that simply doesn't want to be there. You would regret the decision of keeping her when you arrive home. Everything changes in the daily routine of the household and in the children's lives. Spare the kids from all the tension that will exist.

#4. Never listen to others (not even me). Always catch your breath, give it some time to think over and then follow your gut. Dismiss her ASAP.

Is it proper in a nanny share situation for the host family to pay slightly less per week as a discount for having the care done exclusively in their home?

Not necessarily, actually the other family may feel they have the disadvantage since they will have to pack baby up with diapers, formula, etc., and drop him/her off at the host house in all kinds of weather. One of the reasons people employ nannies is so they won't have the hassle of getting baby ready to go to daycare while they're trying to get themselves ready to go to work. If this is your first baby you'll see what I mean. I found getting out of the house with a new baby to be the toughest task to adjust to.

If you provide lunch for the nanny the cost should be shared by both families. Any other costs that the host family would incur that the other family will not, should be split (i.e., gas money if nanny takes babies out, she will be using your utilities like water, electric, AC/Heat so if those costs amount to anything significant you could ask the other family to split it with you.)

Well, I hope I've been able to help. I don't think there really is a customary practice in this matter. If I find out otherwise, I will let you know.

I was wondering if maybe you could give me some information about being a nanny because I'm really interested in becoming one.

Well, I think you're on the right track to becoming a responsible, professional nanny. The first step is research, and that's what you're doing, so bravo. Here are my suggestions to help you learn all you can about the Nanny profession.

1.) Purchase or borrow from the Library the book entitled "The Professional Nanny" by Monica Bassett. We sell it through our bookstore so if you decide to buy it, you'll find it right there. I have spoken personally with this author and with many, many nannies who highly recommend it.

2.) Join some email groups for nannies. visit yahoo.groups.com and search under Nannies. You'll find several groups there. These groups meet via email and the nannies love to give their hard earned advice. I am sure they will help you be better prepared for the pros and cons of being a nanny.

3.) Subscribe to our newsletter. It comes monthly via email and has lots of helpful info.

5.) Suggested Sites.  Life With Nanny. Check out their work agreement. You are going to need one when you work for a family. If they don't offer a contract, insist on one, and offer them yours.  Another very helpful site with great information, National Association of Nannies, run by nannies for nannies. 

6.) Read all the books you can find on Hiring a Nanny. Check out our bookstore for suggested titles. You don't have to buy them, see if you can track them down through the library. These books will give you insight into what employers are looking for. Click here: The Parents With Nannies Book Store.

7.) Are you attending school now? If no, do you live by a community college where you can take courses in Child Development? Also, get certified in CPR and First Aid.

8.) Research Agencies in your area or in the area you wish to work. Ask for references, both nannies and parents, and check them out. Approximately 50% of nannies find their jobs through agencies, the other 50% through word of mouth and the classifieds. When you're ready to start looking for a job, be sure to spread the word via the grape vine, family friends, relatives, your doctor, hair stylist, you name it.

Well, I think that's it for now. If I think of any more I'll write again. If you have any questions at all about the above info, don't hesitate to ask. And good luck, please let me know how you make out.

My Nanny wants full freedom to come and go as she pleases, with my children. She lives in the same town and has friends (whom I dont know at all) who invite her and all the kids over for play days, AND she would like to invite them over to my house. I have asked that anytime she wants to take my children somewhere that she at least ask me first AND leave the information of where they are (address, phone, etc.) I just don't feel comfortable not knowing where my kids are at all times! Because of this, my nanny says she feels 'trapped' and needs to have some time during the day with adults. I didn't hire her to be with adults, but to care for my girls. Which she does really well. Any advice?

It is very common for nannies to arrange play dates with other nannies in their area. It really is beneficial to the socialization of the children as well as to the sanity of the Nanny. You can explain to her that you understand her need to talk with other adults during the work week, but you need for her to understand that you don't know these people and it makes you nervous. 

I'm assuming you did a background/criminal history check on her before you employed her, but I'll bet a million dollars you did not do one on her friends. I would ask to meet her friends. Maybe even take a day off from work and go with her to a play date or have her friends over for a pizza party. I don't know your nanny so I cannot guarantee that she won't be totally offended by this idea and decide to leave you, but you need to feel comfortable when you go to work every day. So if it means meeting her friends and making your own judgment as to whether they are decent people or not, so be it.

Nannies do need to feel trusted by their employers in order to be happy in their work. I've talked to a lot of nannies who have cited lack of trust as their main reason for leaving a job. With that said, I don't think you are asking too much to know where she is during her work day. She should be able to provide an itinerary of her day with appropriate phone numbers or you may want to consider getting her a beeper. I know many nannies who are provided beepers by their employers. 

Please go with your own gut instincts when it comes to the safety of your children. Your gut is usually right. If she seems like she is hiding information from you for some reason, then she probably is and you have good reason to be worried. If your only question is whether nannies socialize with other nannies during the work week, then yes, they do as long as they are focused on play activities for the kids.

What percentage is the standard annual salary raise for a live-out nanny.

Annual raises range from 5 to 10 percent of the weekly salary. At the
very least a raise should cover the increase in cost of living. Many
parents will pick a percentage increase and then round up to an even
amount each week. For example, a $400 per week nanny with a 7% salary
increase would get an extra $28 per week. Some parents will then round
it up to $30.

My local Better Business Bureau won't give out information on the number or nature of any complaints about nanny agencies. Is there a place I can go to check out the references of an agency? We had a horrible experience and don't want to repeat it!

If you can't get feedback from an objective outside source, such as the
Better Business Bureau, then at least take what you can get from
non-objective sources.

First, call the nanny agency and request references from a few of their
clients. Of course you will be put in touch only with their most
satisfied customers, who will tell you what a great nanny they hired
through that agency. But find out exactly when they did business with
that agency. If it turns out that the agency can only supply years-old
references, that's a warning sign. Definitely beware if the agency
won't provide names of clients willing to talk to you. A good agency
will be happy to supply a list of names, including repeat customers who
have dealt with that agency over several years. A telephone chat with
two or three such references can still yield some helpful information
about what it was like to hire a nanny through that agency, and maybe
give you some pointers on ways to work more effectively with that agency
if you decide to go with their program. Definitely ask the reference
what she (or he) liked and didn't like about working with the agency,
and what if anything the agency should change about the way they put
nannies and employers together.

Second (or perhaps simultaneous with the first action) I recommend
scoping out the "word of mouth" on the agency. Talk to as many parents
as you can who have hired a nanny through an agency. If you don't have
friends who have used agencies to find their nannies, then start hanging
out at playgrounds and parks and just strike up conversations with
parents (and nannies, too) where you find them. Ask whether they had a
good, bad, or mediocre experience. Did they end up with a
good nanny on the first try? Were there any problems along the way, and
if so, how were they resolved? Would they use that agency again? 
You'll probably get a few horror stories, and maybe a few strong
recommendations (and if you're lucky, those recommendations will be for
the same agency). There are also some online discussion groups for
parents who employ nannies. 4EverythingNanny has two groups,
ParentsWithNannies@yahoogroups.com and PWNParents@yahoogroups.com. Membership in
one of these groups might prove helpful too.

I think you'll find most parents and nannies are eager to be helpful on
this subject and to give you the benefit of their experience.

Peggy Robin

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