Frequently Asked Questions
For answers to tax questions, please visit our detailed
taxes page.
For answers to hiring questions, please visit our detailed
hiring page.
For answers about what benefits to offer, please visit our detailed
benefits page.
What is a fair salary to offer my nanny?: This will depend a lot on your location. An hourly rate
can range from $9-$25+ an hour. The best way to offer a competitive salary
while also not feeling that you offered too much or too little is to simply ask
your nanny candidates what they made at their last job and about their desired
salary range. You then take this information and call a local placement
agency (or visit their website) and compare it with their rates. Keep in mind
that childcare providers with lots of experience and education will require a
higher salary range than someone starting out. It's a personal choice to
decide which is more valuable to you as a family; paying for the best or
saving money and taking a chance on someone with less experience and
references.
My family is on a tight budget but we really want a nanny-any suggestions?:
Professional childcare providers, especially nannies, used to only be utilized by the upper class
but now more and more upper middle class to middle class are using nanny services. The best way
to have a nanny and stay within a tight budget is to hire someone that is just starting out.
You agree to provide them with a stellar letter of recommendation (if they have earned it) and experience
in exchange for reduced childcare. A lot of individuals wanting to "break in" to the childcare
field have a tough time getting that initial job and placement agencies
will not work with someone unless they have it. (Karinne, a professional nanny that helped make this site,
started out by working 40-50% below the going rate in her area in order to gain experience and a reference- she found
her first family on craigslist.org in the childcare community section!)
Please note: it is extremely important that the person
you consider hiring still meets minimum requirements. For more information on minimum requirements and where to
find a nanny without an agency please visit
our hiring page.
How much notice should I give my nanny if I no longer require her services? This is dependent on the
reason, if it is due to a serious offense (like stealing or neglect) than
immediate termination with no prior warning is mandatory and you are not responsible
for keeping your end of any contract signed. If it is for
something minor and you do not fear for your child's safety (personality
conflict or scheduling conflict) then a standard 2 weeks notice is
appropriate. However, if you signed a contract with your nanny and the reason
you are letting her go is because your family will be relocating or one of the
parents unexpectedly is no longer working, it is suggested you give the nanny
as much notice as possible as it will come as a shock. If you can
afford it, some type of severence pay can make a big difference for the nanny
while she tries to find a new position. If you can not afford it, support your
nanny in anyway you can by writing a great letter of recommendation and being
available for a phone reference from potential families.
I am a childcare provider - how can I let parents know about my service?
There are many sites you can post your services for free including our
chat forum.
You may also have luck with the childcare section of craigslist.org
in your local area or you can apply through a placement agency. To find a placement agency
near you please visit our Agencies page.
If you have a question you would like answered: please post it in our chat
forum and
a member or moderator will do their best to answer it!
