How much should a nanny get paid and how to ask for a raise

You accepted to be paid $12/hr when you started; it's inappropriate for you to jack up the price so soon. You would definitely ruin the relationship with your clients if you started asking for more money now. If you think you're worth more, you shouldn't have accepted $12/hr. Also, you might think you're worth something, but the market rate determines what you actually get paid. Like any other employee/contractor, you need to understand what others are being paid for similar work; if you want to be paid more than the "industry average", you need to make a good, convincing argument. During the next few months, collect the information you need, and then on your 1-year anniversary of nannying, approach them with your new salary request (if your research supports being paid more).

Beccyjoe, I *have* a two-year old, i know all about what it takes to keep one happy and healthy and occupied. But if that's the only thing you are doing--no laundry, no cleaning, no shopping--then that is all you are doing. Period. Other nannies generally do much more for the same (if not less) money. Again, I'm a parent of a child that age and I have a nanny. If she changed the game only 3 months in, I would be very unhappy.

As someone with several friends in Toronto who have non live-in nannies and also run errands, do laundry, do groceries, etc., I'd say your wage of $12 is pretty spot on. I know one of my friends pays exactly that for way more work than you're actually doing.

Beccyjoe, I'm in Vancouver. The going rate for a daytime/evening babysitter or part-time nanny with your qualifications is $15 to $20 an hour under the table. (!) I pay $12/hr over the table (with receipts!) to a sitter with very few qualifications and I'm going to be switching to someone more like you in a couple of weeks because I would rather pay more for someone who is well qualified. Even college students make $10-15 an hour -- just check http://www.lullabyleague.ca. (I am going to one of their events to screen sitters.) I can't imagine Toronto would be that different, unless you're living in lesser affluent area. I'm not suggesting you pack up and move to Vancouver. However, you might be better off with $15-$20 an hour for several families, perhaps as a sitter (aka part-time nanny). You could probably set up a few gigs within a short distance. I have a sitter booked for this weekend at $15 an hour. I'd pay more if she gave me receipts. My friends with nannies say someone good costs about $20 an hour over the table. You can get someone who is lesser qualified, with more limited English skills and no knowledge of English games/songs/etc, for around $12/hr. Take a look around. Maybe you need to focus on an area of Toronto where pay rates are bigger. Or maybe you need to work for a few families or something. ymmv

Unfortunately, licensed ECE teachers (pre-school teachers) earn about $12/hr. A major benchmark or constraint is that married couples are generally allowed to claim $12,000 for childcare expenses against tax (or something) in Canada. I'm not sure if you can compare AUS rates versus Canadian rates, because the purchasing power of each currency is different - AUS wages are usually higher than Canadian wages, but the cost of living in Australia is also higher.

Do they pay you a wage and deduct taxes, EI, CPP, etc. from your cheque? If so, then they are your employer. If not, then they are your client and you are self-employed. I am in the process of looking for nanny help and am looking to spend $50 per day per child on daycare. That works out to about $12.50 per hour to look after two one year olds (probably less as I anticipate needing care for more than 8 hours.) I think your rate is fair.

For a bit of a different comparison, here in Alberta respite care (requiring similar requirements as you describe as a nanny) but with severely disabled children runs around $14-16 per hour (intervention workers are paid around $17-$25 /hr.). This is (under)funded by the province. So that is the 'going' rate, and they are explicit that it is the skill set required by the job that determines the pay level, not the qualifications of the individual. Highly skilled/experienced individuals may well be in higher demand, but the pay rate doesn't vary much. Again, this is for the care of severely disabled children. While this is not clearly your situation, I think it offers many parallels to your situation. In this context, the respite workers are workers (whether self employed or paid benefits), the parents are the employers (even though the govt funds the wage) and the child(ren) are the clients. Do not make a mistake about the power relations here. Parents are really really unlikely to think of themselves as your client. As much as they value your expertise and care, they likely value it in you as their employee in their home with their child.

FYI Neiltupper: There is a little "!" flag button if you are unhappy with a post. "Fuck off." Over-react much? I'd say wait a few months and then tell them that you are raising your rate to 13$ an hour. They'll be pretty used to you by then and I'd imagine the worst that happens is they say no.

I'm in Toronto and know several nannies. $12 an hour is pretty typical for childcare and light housework. Yes, childcare is underpaid and teaching gigs are hard to come by.