How Much Does A Nanny Cost In Chicago?
Nanny Costs In Chicago And How They Vary
With the many things we need to do in our daily lives, having to be flexible with various schedules and appointments, we all deserve to have some time we can spend on resting and recuperating. That is why having the best nanny who can take away our worries, give us peace of mind and provide utmost care for the remainder of our household needs would really be a life saver.
The third most populated city in the United States is Chicago. It is also one of the most inhabited cities alongside Los Angeles and New York City. Ever wondered how much would a nanny cost in Chicago? What exactly does a nanny do for what they get paid for? Can you afford it while getting quality output? And do the rates differ depending on skill-set, activities that a nanny can accommodate, and what additional ventures will they partake in to nurture your child’s development? We are here today to talk about those things and discuss how the pricing will diversify because of many different factors.
There are many facets to consider when hiring a nanny. First of all, what does a nanny do? We need to know what their job responsibilities are so we can properly gauge how much pay we should be offering them.
The Things Your Nanny Can Do For You
Nannies somewhat become like an extended family member because of how deeply they interact with everyone. Not only would you rely on them for cleaning up around the house, cooking meals and grocery shopping, but you would also mainly rely on them for looking after the children.
Parents know this by heart, taking care of children and providing for their needs and wants is truly not an easy task. Your nanny would not only be keeping an eye on them to make sure they are safe but they will also assist in more personal matters like the mental, physical and emotional growth of your children.
On a daily basis, a nanny would: prepare and cook meals, tidy up around the house, make sure the kids are bathed and clean, organize engaging activities with playmates, support the children with schoolwork, do laundry and restock the pantry, as well as teach the kids common etiquette and proper behavior.
We all have different needs and expectations as guardians so finding the best nanny that would cater to all that is imperative. You also have to keep in mind that any nanny you hire will work with you hand in hand, and will be your partner in creating a fun, nurturing and educational environment for your children. It is detrimental for you to choose wisely and know the qualifications most suited for your family.
Know How Much To Pay Your Nanny And Why Would It Be Higher or Lower
According to the Economic Research Institute, the salary range of nannies would vary from as low as $17 an hour and can go up to as high as $34 an hour. (ERI, 2021)
Individuals that were able to finish High school, had successfully attended basic training, and would only be working several hours or even as a part-timer, would most likely fall under the $16 bracket.
Now if the nanny of your liking has accomplished multiple hours of training, has received certifications for First Aid treatment and CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), or has obtained the Child Development Associate credential, then their pay would definitely be up in the higher bracket. Let us dig deeper into each criteria that affects how much salary a nanny should get paid:
Why Would Each Nanny Be Paid Differently
There are several things that influence how much a nanny gets paid.
Take a quick look at this video to hear about the experiences a nanny has had. She talks about a detailed comparison of what her salary is as a babysitter versus what it is doing nanny jobs.
Skill-Set:
Some nannies specialize in newborn care while others may prefer jobs with older children. Specializations such as this will require the nanny to have received special training and experience. This allows them to provide unquestionable & professional support for whatever task you give them. It also increases their salary because of the specialty.
Activities That Your Nanny Can Accommodate:
Depending on what agreement you have, nannies will be able to aid you in making sure everything is accomplished. From washing the dishes to walking the dog, or even fetching the kids from playdates, you can count on your nanny to get it done. Assigning them with more duties also means they get paid more too.
Additional Ventures They Can
Partake In:
A nanny’s role may at times go beyond what happens inside the house. You may sometimes need to ask them for favors to go outside and do things for you like driving the kids to school, picking up something from the Post Office, or even go on trips with the kids to museums and parks. The best nanny would put in extra effort and care during these situations so it would only be right that they get ample pay for it. Examples of additional ventures they can do for you:
go with the kids on their playdates
conduct tutoring sessions
keep track and prepare for school-related projects
organize the family calendar or to-do list
anticipate a delivery
run personal errands
Supplemental Credentials Only The Best Nannies Have
Traits & Competencies
Interpersonal Skills - Nannies would not only be dealing with children but the parents as well. It is essential that communication is open and easily understood. Friendliness, patience, empathy and genuine concern for the people around you would greatly make the interactions positive and meaningful.
Analytical and Critical Thinking - While we are all so busy with our day-to-day endeavors, our nannies have their own duties to look after. During those times when we are not around, it is up to them to make sure our children are safe. There may come unpredictable situations in which we should be able to depend on our nanny to have a clear mind in decision-making for the welfare of our children. Our children are our main priority but having someone we can trust and rely on will sure put our minds at ease.
Organizational Skills and Time Management - Payment is made for every hour that service is rendered so it is crucial that our nannies organize their tasks well. They should be able to distinguish and prioritize what task needs to be completed first and use the remainder of their time efficiently so there would be no wasting of resources for all the parties concerned.
Education - This is not a strict requirement in most cases, especially for entry-level positions but some states do require nannies to have at least a High school diploma. Candidates who do not possess High school diplomas may still be considered given that they have some form of childhood education or in any other related field. For Chicago, a High school diploma or a GED is the basic requirement but individuals with higher achievements are also very sought after. This is also a good example of what a person with proper education is able to attain. Such an example will be a very good influence to our kids like having someone they can aspire to become.
Certification & Credentials - Owning a driver’s license, being of pristine physical health and well-being, completing an accumulated number of training hours or experience in the field for years, getting certified for First Aid treatment and CPR are admirable bonuses that will surely complement any nanny’s resume. Most of the highest paid nannies have also obtained the Child Development Associate credential which entitles them to get premium rates and best prospects. Of course, attaining this credential would require that the nanny has extensive experience in the field, has undergone coursework and had been observed for a significant span of time while interacting with children. Just like in any other line of work, receiving awards, titles and certificates will greatly increase the monetary benefits of the job. The same applies for the best nannies out there..
Work Environment & Schedule - Both full-time and part-time opportunities are available depending on what you are looking for and what you are willing to offer. You can choose to agree with your nanny to live with you at home or separately. Most nannies work 40 hours a week and some even do more as the need for nannies continues to rise over the past few years.
Quality & Satisfaction Guaranteed Only From Karen’s Nanny Agency
As we have provided a detailed representation of how much does a nanny cost in Chicago, the wage you offer them will always depend on these criteria and your own judgment. The information we have gathered today would really be handy and useful in determining how much you would like to pay them. Just like how you expect excellent service, their credentials also make them worthy of exceptional earnings.
Having the best nanny, being able to entrust a part of your life in someone, gaining the luxury of having more time for yourself because of the convenience having a nanny brings - It’s an ideal agreement that would continuously become more fulfilling for everyone.
Resources:
Institute, ERI Economic Research. “Salary.” ERI Economic Research Institute, www.erieri.com/salary/job/nanny/united-states/illinois/chicago. (Accessed on April 14, 2021)
https://www.erieri.com/salary/job/nanny/united-states/illinois/chicago
Red Cross. “Babysitting & Child Care Certification.” Red Cross, 2021, www.redcross.org/take-a-class/babysitting/babysitting-child-care-training/babysitting-certification. (Accessed on April 14, 2021)
