How do domestic nanny agencies work:
As a working mother, my nanny is a crucial part of my household. Without her support, I would not be able to juggle, my children, my household and my job effectively. I value her role in our lives enormously. Therefore when looking for a nanny it is important that you research your options thoroughly.
There are three costs:
1. Registration fee
2. Placement fee (once off fee)
3. Nannies monthly/daily salary (ongoing)
Domestic nanny agency comparisons are based on:
- A permanent monthly salary of R3000 (average going rate R2500 – 3000)
- Placement fees are normally payable to agencies as a once off fee.
- The nanny’s monthly salary is payable by the employer to the nanny directly.
A table comparing domestic nanny agency fees:
| Agency | Placement fee – Permanant fee in Rands – 1 month |
| Super Nannies | 10% of annual salary R3600 |
| Marvellous Maids | 14% of annual salary R5040 |
| Village Nannies | 10% of annual salary R3600 |
The information gathered is from moms who have dealt with the different agencies, prices listed on the website and calls made to the respective domestic nanny agencies.
Temporary nanny placements
The temporary placements are where the discrepancy lies between the domestic nanny agencies.
a) Some domestic nanny agencies charge a once of fee based on the time that the nanny worked. The employer pays the agency the placement fee and the employer still has to pay the nanny her daily wage directly.
b) Some domestic nanny agencies act as an agent; they charge the clients and then pay the nanny directly. The employer does not handle any payments towards the domestic worker
A table comparing market related salaries against minimum wage for 2010
Sector |
Wage per hour |
Wage per month |
| Minimum wage | R7.40 | R1442.86 |
| Market related salary | R12.91 – R15.50 | R2500 – R3000 |
Transport costs
Salaries may or may not include transport costs. Bus and train tickets are approximately R80 – R100 a month. Taxis are R5 per trip depending on the suburb. If a nanny is using a bus and a taxi service to get to work, her transport costs can add up to about R300 per month.
Please read our Super Nanny Guide to get a better idea on working hours, wages etc for live in and live out nannies.
As a domestic nanny agency, we truly believe in looking after our candidates and we like them to receive a market related salary. A domestic/nanny can barely survive on R80 a day and then they still have to pay for their daily transport. Some domestic nanny agencies say they include transport costs. Yes they may drop the domestic nanny to your house from their agency but that char, domestic or nanny is still having to take public transport into town. A domestic worker will walk away with R50 in her hand once her transport expenses have been paid for a nine hour day. On this note, it is important as an employer to find out how much the domestic nanny is getting if the agency is charging you a fee and then paying the nanny directly.
When you are doing your research, make sure you ask all the right questions and make sure you are choosing a domestic agency that not only provides good service to you but also looks after their candidates. After all they are the stock of the business and without them there is no business.
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