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Let's face it: you can't always be there to take care of your child. In your place, you want someone who you can trust. Someone your children can rely on and who will give them the personal time, attention and loving care that they deserve. You've decided that a nanny is the right choice for your family's childcare needs. Now, the only thing left is figuring out whether hiring a nanny is right for your budget.

You might be surprised to find out that, with a little planning, hiring a nanny can be affordable for almost everyone. The first thing to consider is the nanny's schedule. Will a nanny be providing full-time care for your children while you work at your own full-time job? Will you and your spouse be taking turns with the children by working part-time in between your nanny's hours? Are your children home all the time, or do they need nanny supervision after school or on weekends and during vacations only? These are all important things to consider.

Remember that hiring a nanny is not just for parents working forty-plus hours a week. Even if you are a stay-at-home parent, work from home, or work minimal hours outside your home, you may find that the services a nanny can provide are priceless when you compare your nanny's pay to the added peace-of-mind, relaxation, and renewed patience that even a few hours' break from your childcare duties can create.

Whether you are just starting your nanny search or you are ready to draw up the contract, the first thing to think about is what you will get for your money? How will your proposed nanny's salary affect the quality of care, as well as the amount of hours, you expect from your nanny?

One way to make your decisions educated when you are thinking about a salary for your nanny is to simply ask around. Other people you know have hired a nanny, so, ask them how much their nanny gets paid and what the negotiations of the contract are. Call local nanny agencies in your area and talk to nannies about what their expectations are. Check the nanny wanted sections in newspapers and websites to see how much people in your area are offering.

If you are requiring your nanny to provide their own car and use it on the job you will need to reimburse the nanny for mileage based on Federal standards or your state's standard if higher. This becomes necessary if your nanny will be picking up your kids from school or driving them off to sports practice.

Remember that the best way to be comfortable with your nanny's salary is to openly discuss it with your prospective nanny at the appropriate time before hiring her.

Nanny Salaries:

Live-in Nannies $250-$800 per week
Live-out Nannies (about 40-50 hours per week) $250-$800 per week
Part-time nannies $6.00-$17.50 per hour

The salary range of nannies varies so greatly because of regional costs and the differences in nannies' experience and education. Do your research and make the right decision based on where you live and what your needs are.