Why are nannies so expensive

I'm thinking of keeping my kids in day care because it's so much cheaper and much more flexible and I don't have to pay taxes. So, I think it's reasonable that they'd expect or atleast aim to make a salary with benefits. Nannies need to support themselves and possibly their families as well.

They need to pay rent and utilities among other bills. Have you looked into a home daycare where there are a couple other kids? I'm all for nannies charging what they do. They're self-employed and they're asking for their value. I think regular day care workers make way too little as it is. It feels like a lot coming out of our pockets but a lot of day care workers aren't nearly getting paid for the time and energy they expend.

It's ridiculous how low the day care centers get paid, for such a demanding job! Choose your subscription. Trial Try full digital access and see why over 1 million readers subscribe to the FT. For 4 weeks receive unlimited Premium digital access to the FT's trusted, award-winning business news. Digital Be informed with the essential news and opinion.

Delivery to your home or office Monday to Saturday FT Weekend paper — a stimulating blend of news and lifestyle features ePaper access — the digital replica of the printed newspaper. Team or Enterprise Premium FT. Pay based on use. Does my organisation subscribe? Plus, nannies are non-exempt hourly employees, so you cannot pay them a flat rate like you can a daycare.

Nannies must be paid for every hour worked, with applicable overtime. Furthermore, even minimum wage is unacceptable for nannies.

If you can't pay more than minimum wage and in many areas, significantly more than minimum wage! Get upset if you want, but that's the industry standard and there's a reason for it. Being a nanny is hard work. Plus, most nannies have years of experience and education behind them.

This is what you are paying for when you hire a nanny. You are paying for a very customized and intimate form of childcare. Nannies, remember this when you are applying for jobs and agreeing to pay. Please, know your worth. When nannies accept positions with inappropriately low wages, they are ultimately reinforcing this type of behavior and as a result, parents continue to try and get away with it because they can. Now with all that said, I want to be clear that I am in no way bashing daycares or daycare workers.

I'm definitely not anti-daycare -- I'm simply pointing out the facts as they relate to the cost differential. Plain and simply, nannies are much more expensive than daycares, so if you find yourself stretching just to pay a daycare rate, you shouldn't even consider hiring a nanny. Harsh, but true.