Overnight Pay for Part-time Nanny

My husband and I pay $100 flat rate for an overnight when we go away and leave our two kids which we'd done many times. My kids are in school during the year or camp during the summer, so my babysitter is only responsible for the hours from 3 of 4 in the afternoon until the next mornng when she drops them off at school or camp. I think it's a reasonable rate since she's completely responsible for the kids during that time. Talk to your sitter, offer $70 to start and be willing to go up depending on what she's comfortable with. She probably has a number in mind. Have fun on your overnight!

I was actually on the nanny end of this scenario a few years ago while I was in college. I was generally paid a set daily rate while the parents were on vacation. I was paid $150 a day for 12pm to 12pm plus spending money (about $25/day to take the kids and myself out for ice cream, movies, gas up the car etc.). This was for two kids and they also had two maids to do most of the cleaning (you may need to adjust if thats part of the job). I would be paid my regular rate ($10/hr) for coming in earlier on the first day or leaving later on the last day. For example, if I stayed from 9am Monday to 7pm Thursday I'd get paid 3 days @ $150 ($450) plus 10 "extra hours" at $10/hr ($100) for a total of $550, and would have $75 to $100 spend with the kids (parents get the change back). I also stayed once for 2 weeks while school was in and had a "weekly rate" which leaves my mind. If I went on vacation with the whole family as an as-needed nanny I got $100/day plus all expenses paid and watched the kids for an average of 5 hours a day. Also, if you plan on being gone for more than 3 days, you might consider letting them hire a pre-screened babysitter for a few hours with your approval. Unless this is a one night one-time thing, I would absolutely discuss extended-stay rates rather than assuming you'll have to pay the regular rate. Hope that helps. Happy Anniversary!

I agree with those saying she is still working, on the job and should be paid the same. She can't be entertaining guests or out to a club and she certainly can't take a sleeping pill and sleep like a rock all night. She's there if they wake up crying, have a night-mare, wet the bed, wake up asking for a drink etc. She also needs to risk her neck to get them out of the house should the wiring go bad and the house start burning.

I don't however believe you owe her anything extra over and above. She will likely sleep much of the time herself and it should be easier than a daytime shift would be. But even if it's not, she'll be paid just the same.

Pay her the rate you normally do for her time, whether it is overnight or during the day. She is still giving up her time, staying at your home with your children and "on call" as any parent is in the middle of the night.

Normal rate- she is still working whether it is day or night.

My best advice is to talk to her about this. I bet she has already thought about this. Is she "sacrificing" anything for your overnight trip?

I know when I was a Nanny. I did get an extra "bonus" for overnight visits, but was paid my normal rate, as well.

Talk to her...:) She is taking care of your kids--If you do not feel you can talk to her about this, perhaps she is the wrong person for the job. IMO.

I would just ask her what do you charge for "overnight" care. She probably has a set rate. If not ask her if she would do it for "x" and name a price. I would not expect to be paid $10 an hour for an overnight gig. that would be like $240 for one night. and she is probably not planning on that kind of pay.

My friend used to pay $60 a night when they used their over night sitter.

You might consider departing from your usual hourly rate and negotiate a flat rate for this circumstance. A nanny agency that I sometime use charges $150 per 24 hours. This is for one on one care in my home...I don't remember what the upcharge is for the second child.

I also have caregivers that keep her at night when I have to travel...I pay them $75 a night. They pick her up at daycare by 6:00 and can drop her as early as 6:30 in the morning. She stays at their house and take care of her dinner, etc.