A Nanny for 2?

Mrs.Salt&Pepper

Hi everyone, 

We are expecting #2 in January, and I know that is a ways away but I like to plan ahead. I am trying to decide whether a nanny would be more afforable than Daycare. We had a nanny for DD from 4mo-18mo, and then we switched her to a daycare center for socialization and cost purposes.

Now, I know this will differ due to people living in high versus low cost of living areas, but I am just curious what you pay your nanny for 2 kids, if you have them. Do you pay her/him hourly? Weekly? Monthly? We used to pay ours $11 an hour for one kid, plus mileage for any outings. Just wondering if you typically double the amount for two kids, or what?

TIA! 

TheBorg7of9

Hi, I am pregnant and due at Christmas time.  My DS will be 22 months at the time.  We are planning to have them both in the same daycare until my son ages out at about 30 months.  At that time we would have to use two daycares, so we plan to get a nanny instead and have her take DS to a preschool 2-3 mornings a week for socialization and education

I plan to pay the nanny based on an yearly salary, which we will calculate based on an "average" work week, so we don't have to keep track of hours.  We are in a high cost of living area and need her for a 50 hour work week.  I am figuring $12-15 per hour (depending on how long DS is at preschool each week), so that adds up to $30,000 to $35,000.  The day care for 2 kids would be about $33,000 per year (at $317 per kid per week).  So I figure it's worth it not to have to daycare pick up and drop off.

one2andnow3

We pay our nanny 11 an hour for 2 kids. We do not pay extra for mileage. She's been with us a year and a half and we are expecting one more in February. I'm sure we will give her a tiny raise. My DD will be a first grader so she won't be around as much so it is still like watching 2 kids.

caladpi02

I am in a HCOL area in Northern California. Here, people add 5 to 8 dollars per hour for a second kid. Rates are usually 20 an hour for one kid or 15 if you are ok with no valid drivers license and them talking on the phone all the time. I would expect to pay 20 to 25 an hour for two kids.

groovygrl

I think it is usually more than the cost of daycare for 2 kids though not necessarily that much more, depending on how many hours you expect, etc. I have no idea how much taxes are but if you do it legally then you have to consider that factor also.  But if you find a nanny who does some cooking & light housework like kids' laundry or picking up after them, remember that is an added benefit in terms of cost too.

We opted not to do a nanny for a lot of reasons but seriously considered it... I was very happy w/ the decision not to b/c I had a really flexible job for the first 3 years but now I'm in a new role w/ more hours and a longer commute and there are days I long for a nanny...of course now they're 4 and I want them in a school environment though, go figure. 

drpayne

We hired a teacher from our day care. They really don't make that much. She made 10 an hour. We are going to pay her 425 a week for 4 days a week. Not everyone has the ability to offer a 4 day work week but I feel like even though she's not making a ton, that is a perk. She's going from watching 8 kids to watching 2 with a slight raise. I think it's a winwin. However, you need to know that it costs quite a bit to pay someone correctly. It will probably cost is more like 475 a week with SS, taxes etc, plus payroll service fee which is like 40 per month. Breedlove website has some calculators to help you. Many people pay them under the table or as contractors but shouldnt. We were paying 480 for day care so we are breaking even. Also, our grocery bills will increase slightly since DS1 used to eat at day care. You also have to figure out paid holidays and PTO. The logistics have been tough to figure out but in hoping its worth it. She starts tomorrow.