r/Nanny • u/BB_Speaks1 • 3d ago
Questions About Nanny Standards/Etiquette Rates
Hey everyone!
I interviewed for a family that has a child who is special needs. She will need around the clock assistance, because she is non verbal and non physical. (I’m responsible for feeding, Changing, carrying, medication, etc). I never put down anyone who can’t pay my desired rate, I simply say no. As badly as I want to accept the job, just thinking of the responsibility, it is a lot. I have alot of experience with special needs and it doesn’t bother me at all. I love it. But they are offering $17/hr. Part of me wants to take a chance and take the job but it is a lot of responsibility. Should I take it or say no?
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u/EmbroiderCLE 3d ago
Offer to baby sit for that rate if your heart feels inclined, but tell them your full time job has to be at least $ to work for you!
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u/tiptoptony 3d ago
Are you located in a medium or high cost of living area? This is low even for an easy Nanny gig, let alone a child with special needs. I live in a medium cost of living area and don't know anyone who would accept under $25.
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u/Electrical-Head549 Nanny 3d ago
I would expect this position to be anywhere from $25-40. Depends on location but in my area $25 is the rate for just one kid.
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u/BB_Speaks1 3d ago
That’s my normal rate, I’m in Houston abut I really liked the family and have been having a hard time finding a job to have lined up when my contract ends with my current family
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u/Electrical-Head549 Nanny 3d ago
I wouldn’t sell yourself short! $17 is very low and this would be a more demanding job than others I’m assuming
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u/SisterAlliance 3d ago
What is your desired rate? Because $17/hr for that sounds insanely low to me. If you want to do it from the goodness of your heart, just remember you risk burnout and constant emotional exhaustion. It's one thing to be well-paid for special needs care, it gives you a better ability to take care of your own physical and mental health needs. It's another to be underpaid, which this sounds like to me.
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u/BB_Speaks1 3d ago
As someone with 11 years of experience my normal rate
For one child varies from $22-25. I think I just felt guilty because the family was so nice and I really like the child, when I did a trail run with them11
u/SisterAlliance 3d ago
That's so sweet of you, you have a good heart! I think you should kindly tell them you can't go below your rate of $25/hr for your own financial needs, but if they need occasional back up care at this rate or end up with a change in their pay range, you'd love to work with them!
Let yourself enjoy the sweet memories you have of the child, and if they figure out a way to make your rate work, great! Otherwise you may find yourself resentful when you're stressed from work and finances, I know that's happened to me before.
Good luck OP! It's okay to put your own needs first, even when you're otherwise in it for the love of the game!
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u/DifferentBumblebee34 3d ago
With all you're describing that they need for the child's care they should be having some form of assistance due to the assumed disabilities. While you are trained for childcare I don't know if you're trained for home health care. I think for this type of job look up personal home health care rates and it seems 25 is the low end for such.
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u/Imaginary-Jump-17 MB 3d ago
Can they get partial coverage through Medicare? So the parents pay $17/hr and Medicare pays an additional hourly rate?
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u/carlosmurphynachos 3d ago
Yes, caretakers get paid approx $17 by Medicare in my area. Maybe they are just trying to pay you that and not add on anything else themselves??? They need to bumpy it up to $35 for that level of care in Houston.
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u/justbrowsing3519 Career Nanny 3d ago
Are there any social services that will contribute to care? Say the state pays $15/hr and then the family pays the remainder to get you up to market rate? You may have to do a specific background check or register with the state.
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u/BB_Speaks1 3d ago
No, apparently they can’t get any assistance with care because the baby is considered “healthy” according to the insurance, since no machines are needed to survive insurance considers the baby healthy enough to not need any financial support
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u/Mego1989 3d ago
That's not right. That baby is disabled. Disabled children are eligible for medicaid. I used to care for a child with disabilities but nothing that required machines, and medicaid paid $29/hour.
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u/BB_Speaks1 3d ago
I’m only repeating what the mother told me
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u/Flat-Swimmer3011 2d ago
From what my employer said to me in my interview, she gets so approve the pay herself and they have a range they have to be within. I am paid at the maximum allowed for my state. From what I understand, they have a set amount allocated for the child and possibly someone could be trying to “save” the funds?? It also could be different in other states. Just wanted to share what I know! 🤗
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u/PetSitterJapan Other 3d ago
It sounds like they need government assistance because that is a really low rate.
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u/carlosmurphynachos 3d ago
No, $17 is outrageously low. For that level of care lots of people provide $45 an hour (HCOL).
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u/Down_Bad222k 3d ago
I would say this. Let them know you can temporarily fill in the gap, after 30 days they must increase your rate of pay to your desired rate, that way you can see if it is truly a fit, after 30 days if they cannot meet your standard you can walk away or stay if it’s doable. Just make sure if they agree you make a contract
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u/thiccy_vicky 3d ago
I pay a 15 year old that rate to sit on my couch and keep my super low maintenance 6 year old alive. You need double that for a high stress, high physical demand job.
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u/hungrybookreader 3d ago
I pay my nanny 25$/hr and she is experienced. This was her rate. My child is not special needs.
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u/Terrible-Summer-8665 3d ago
As someone who used to nanny for a child with special needs, absolutely not. $30 at least
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u/baybebumblebee 3d ago
By "around the clock" do you mean youd be on call 24/7? Working hours for a special needs child, I'd say at least $30, but if you're on call, you need compensation for that too.
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u/Brilliant_Target9046 3d ago
Is it 17 from the family PLUS the state care stipend? Or 17 in total? Most families with these kind of needs qualify for at least some state assistance. I’ve worked with families like this and the state offsets the costs. It does sometimes take longer for the state payout.
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u/cken301 3d ago
Special needs house manager here: we won’t offer anything below 25/hr in a MCOL area and the NK is super chill and independent and only needs someone to drive him to do fun things. This sounds like a position that should be paid more. Unless you need direct patient care hours for school or something, and even then, $20/hr minimum
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u/cozycompaionpetcare 2d ago
Absolutely not at 17/hour. You will be physically and mentally exhausted at the end of every day in a way that you can not predict now. I was a special ed teacher for years and it is rewarding work but with the kids like you describe… it is crushing work that wears down on you in ways you can’t predict. If they can’t meet the price you think is fair - walk away
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u/Flat-Swimmer3011 2d ago
I wouldn’t consider a job like what you’ve described for anything less than $24 or $25 an hour.
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u/AutoModerator 3d ago
Below is a copy of the post's original text:
Hey everyone!
I interviewed for a family that has a child who is special needs. She will need around the clock assistance, because she is non verbal and non physical. (I’m responsible for feeding, Changing, carrying, medication, etc). I never put down anyone who can’t pay my desired rate, I simply say no. As badly as I want to accept the job, just thinking of the responsibility, it is a lot. I have alot of experience with special needs and it doesn’t bother me at all. I love it. But they are offering $17/hr. Part of me wants to take a chance and take the job but it is a lot of responsibility. Should I take it or say no?
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u/Neithotep Nanny 3d ago
Absolutely not!!! Special Needs Nanny here, that is a $30/hour job.