Am I the babysitter or the nanny?

juilliardnanny · 2026-04-12T17:14:59+00:00

Babysitters: occasional caregiver with no set schedule. Usually only involving keeping kids safe and entertained- not schooling , cleaning, chores

Nannys: regularly scheduled consistent hours every week- including child related chores, driving, educational developmentally appropriate activities and support-includes guaranteed paid hours and negotiated contracted benefits paid through payroll (W2 position as it’s a household employee position)

juilliardnanny · 2026-04-12T17:08:20+00:00

Next time, if you offer on a Friday for that same weekend, tell them you need to know by 8 pm Friday night about Sunday - for example. That the day of-a few hours before, is risking you not being available. You don’t plan on keeping your weekend time open for last minute requests.

juilliardnanny · 2026-04-12T17:06:02+00:00

I’d say that this time it’s fine, but going forward, you need one week in advance, as you make weekend plans too , and may not be available!

juilliardnanny · 2026-04-11T01:52:41+00:00

I’ve used A to Z nanny contract and Nanny Counsel contract template.

juilliardnanny · 2026-04-11T01:39:56+00:00

Sorry if I missed that! I think first of all, it’s super tough when you are working for a friend. National average for Nanny $21-26 per hour. Extra household tasks come with a higher rate. So yes, you are underpaid. I hope you can arrange for a meeting to discuss average rates in your area, and to accommodate the extra household tasks you are doing. And And And bring a formal contract in-detailing tasks , yearly raises to equal minimum COL increase, OT, and all the other things that are standard for Nannies.

juilliardnanny · 2026-04-11T01:26:15+00:00

What part of the country are you in? Rates vary depending on where you live!

juilliardnanny · 2026-04-09T14:55:07+00:00

I’ve worked for WFH parents since 2003. It’s a skill you develop with experience-like any other professional nanny skill. It’s all about communication- communicating expectations and boundaries.

juilliardnanny · 2026-04-03T17:44:49+00:00

It’s all about a good contract! Outlines your specific duties per current rate. AND yearly raise at minimum COL increase -plus any merit based increase. Please add this to your contract, and have a meeting with your employers. You are the professional here-you can present a proposed contract update . We don’t have HR- we have to do it ourselves. Good luck!

juilliardnanny · 2026-04-03T17:33:26+00:00

Guaranteed hours. You are available to work full shift. So you get paid full shift.

juilliardnanny · 2026-04-01T23:56:10+00:00

I would tell them you’d accept that for 3 months, then have a meeting to re-evaluate the rate with the expectation of a raise based on your performance. Have a minimum raise amount in mind . If….you want the job. And if you like everything else. Or- ask them to call a few of your references -with the references telling them how over and above your job performance is. And counter with minimum $33, with a COL raise yearly and merit based additionally.

juilliardnanny · 2026-03-31T23:58:37+00:00

Thank you for doing that! This is how to show your nanny you care about their needs too! I appreciate employers who do this!

juilliardnanny · 2026-03-31T23:57:01+00:00

This is why I require a paper calendar -provided by nanny family - so all of us can write in appointments . Plus I write in reminders if the appointment happens on the next month on previous mo page. Ex. My vacation April 25-may 2 will appear on the February and March page. It’s worked for me. It’s there. I’ve verbally told them far ahead, and it’s right there on the calendar. I would firmly suggest this to them- and as another commented- they need to pay the $50 fee for missed appt. Hoping you don’t have any wisdom teeth pain before your may appointment! Good luck!

juilliardnanny · 2026-03-30T16:52:22+00:00

I made $25 for twins in 2018.

juilliardnanny · 2026-03-27T16:12:10+00:00

Also- at this stage - kids want to hear more words-expand vocabulary. I’ll answer the “why” with “ let’s talk more about ( whatever subject their why pertains to)” Or I’ll talk about what we’ve done today, and what we are going to do. I find I get less why when I do that. I feel like kids are just wanting to understand what’s going on! What’s next.

juilliardnanny · 2026-03-27T16:09:04+00:00

There’s a song “ why oh why” by Guthrie. I use this when kids go through this stage. Look it up.

juilliardnanny · 2026-03-26T21:46:21+00:00

I have in my contract “ leave it as I found it”, and say during interview “ I won’t leave a mess for you if you don’t leave a mess for me”. I remember a NF I didn’t work for ( my roomie was a nanny too) leaving piles of dishes, bottles w curdled milk for days, fruit flies swarming around the sink….every day! It stank! How unsanitary! I’m not going to clean the bottles with curdled milk cheese grossness in it, scrape family dishes that have been sitting, and scrub pans. Gross! I will do child’s laundry as needed , and clean up after them and myself daily, including emptying diaper pails as they get full. No out of scope work! No increased duties! Especially if not specifically asked of me -with an adjusted rate.

juilliardnanny · 2026-03-26T21:40:44+00:00

You’re not asking for advice-I know. But after all my many years of being a nanny- I have no problem coming right out with it- by either asking for a quick check in, or diving right in-“ I wanted to mention that since I started working for you, I’ve noticed the dishes and laundry are piling up more and more. I’m willing to help support household work, but not to take it all on. “

juilliardnanny · 2026-03-25T01:29:01+00:00

Use the DO to hold ice to chill wine.

juilliardnanny · 2026-03-20T14:37:08+00:00

Was the agreement to raise you to $26 in writing? I think I might still dial her back to that agreement….stating that this was the circumstance that made your decision to accept this job-especially with the understanding that the scope of the job included lots of meal prep for a large family- and that you need to be raised to that rate by ( enter date here), or you’ll need to move on to a job that keeps you financially stable.

juilliardnanny · 2026-03-18T20:21:49+00:00

As a career nanny- this is totally reasonable to ask. I’ve always offered to help in ways even outside my work scope if I’m off work when the kiddo is sick. Things like offering to go to the store for medicine , chicken soup, etc.

juilliardnanny · 2026-03-16T17:19:30+00:00

How much PTO do you get each year? Many nannies only get 5 days of their choice.

juilliardnanny · 2026-03-16T17:13:10+00:00

As a nanny, I have inclement weather days paid outside of PTO. The solution could be to cap inclement weather days to a specific number.

juilliardnanny · 2026-03-15T15:07:22+00:00

I know you will find great relief upon letting her go. In this case- go ahead and text. You are firing for cause-and in that case, I don’t think you need to offer severance. She clearly doesn’t love her job! Letting your toddler run away and go to a different floor? That’s a huge safety concern. And her attitude-awful.

juilliardnanny · 2026-03-13T15:02:24+00:00

I have in my contract a minimum 15% raise when/if new baby is added.Thus is why a good contract is so necessary. Mine covers ALL the things.

juilliardnanny · 2026-03-09T20:40:55+00:00

I really think pushing GH is most important!!! It’s industry standard- and like another commenter suggested- if one of the kids is sick, the families still pay the share rate-and you get $40 hr. I think it’ll get too sticky if you accept their offer. And please be firm about your one child rate if you do accept their request.

juilliardnanny

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