If a nanny uses her own car for work who buys the car seats?

I would buy the car seats too, or boosters if suitable, all in all it will cost very little compared to your running expenses in a set up of 4 children - as long as you expect her to need the car to fulfill her duties. The car seats remain yours if so you wish.
I'd be more worried about feeding and funding activities for 2 other kids on a regular basis, you would need to get a fairly reduced rate to make it worthwhile.

I think the employer should buy the car seats. My nanny happened to have car seats which are suitable for my oldest and youngest as she was previously a foster carer, but I provided the middle child's, and would provide new seats if and when required.

Not surprised you ruled them out, it's a live-out job, so they need to live in your general area.

Any interviews this weekend? If so, hope they go well. Maybe you will love someone else just as much, so have someone to compare against.

It seems extremely petty to ask her to buy your DC car seats. That's all I have to say.

Do you have a Featured Ad in Gumtree - looking at Gumtree I suspect you might. That may perhaps explain why you are getting quite a lot of enquiries via Gumtree. Though I expect it will also mean that you will need to narrow down those applicants to those who are within a reasonable travel distance and who meet the job criteria.

We've had discussion on this board in the past about the pros/cons of putting a salary.

When it comes to interviewing people, I think interviewing only a few people is best. You don't want to be interviewing everyone, just those who are definitely in the running following on from initial correspondence via e-mail/phone.

"naughtymummy that's what I thought, which is why I want to be as open minded as possible. She's so nice and warm and friendly that I'm happy to allow much more than I would someone I didn't feel would be so good for the dcs."

Hopefully you wouldn't be employing someone who wasn't so good for your dcs.

You are at interview stage, so can I ask how job applications are going... are you getting many who are possibly worth interviewing?

This particular candidate may be assuming you will pay the salary advertised, even though they are bringing their own children. Whereas you may consider them bringing their own children but lower the salary by 30% or whatever to compensate a bit.

Other candidates may not come with their own children.

As a nanny, I provide carseats. If the parents don't want me to use mine, then they can provide car seats but they are to stay in my car, 7 days a week all year round. Lugging seats from house to car and back again with baby and toddlers in tow would be a nightmare!

If you will NEVER ask nanny to take your DCs anywhere in car then I think nanny should buy car seats, however if there is a chance you will ever ask her to take your DCs anywhere in car then I think you should pay.

Car seats, I think, are the least of your problems, they're a one off cost.

However, if she has no need to put your kids in the car ever, to do anything, then she should pay for them. However, if there will be anytime you would expect her to drive your children as part of her job then you should buy them. However, between you, you may be able to get some hand me downs from friends (so you know their history).

headfairy - yes, you do need to be really clear about everything or else it will cause a lot of resentment, then you will also have 4 kids who are used to being a part of each others lives as well to consider if you want to put an end to the arrangement.

It can work really well, I have a friend with 2 girls who has a nanny, she has been there for 7 years, had ML with her son, and other than that has always brought him along, he's 4 now! However, I think it only works for certain personality types - it wouldn't work for me. My friend is really laid back, treats her nanny's DS like a nephew and doesn't resent the inconvenience or cost of having him there at all.

Just a few things I can think of:

Food - you also have to consider school holidays as well as school time - feeding 2 extras at all times - including treats. I think it is simpler for you to cover all the cost of it and pay her accordingly.

Bath stuff - bathwash, bubble bath, shampoo etc laundering of towels. Not to mention the time it takes to bath her two as well.

Stuff - art supplies/baking stuff, it all costs more with 4 kids using it.

After school activities - what are you happy for her to do with her kids that means yours are just tagging along? For example, would you be happy for her one of her DS's to go to swimming classes where your two just have to trail around and get nothing from it, or are all activities on the days she has yours out of the question. I know she's only working 3 days, but sometimes you don't have much choice of which day to attend a class.

Doctors, dentists etc

Visiting her friends, family, toddler groups.

Be clear about things like nappies (if hers are still in them).

What illnesses are you happy for her to bring her kids to yours with? Colds/chicken pox etc If you aren't happy with her bringing her kids if they have CP what is the back up plan? She calls in sick? She has alternative care? ??

Lots of little things, but they become big things if you both make assumptions that are different.

You would probably do really well to start another thread along the lines of 'Nanny bringing her own child, what do I need to consider'.

(I have been doing other things while writing this, so will probably x-post with 10 others who have already said the same thing now!)

About the food, ok an extra portion of pasta is not much cost but if you have tight budget the juice and fruits can add up.

Also talk about the activities - will she pay for her own dcs if she takes them all to a music group for example? And will they have to eat out sometimes, who will pay what in this case?

I think you need to buy the car seats for your own kids, galling as it may be to have to buy a third set. Certainly you couldn't object to second hand seats if your nanny buys them herself imo.

However you would be justified in paying her a lower hourly rate because she is looking after her own kids as well as yours plus feeding and bathing them at yours.

Presumably the fact that she is looking after her 2 year old is reflected in her salary, ditto food and hot water ? I would actually think that it would be reasonable for her to provide her own children's food. You can get car seats ever so cheaply these days, but obviously not necessarly the ones that come out top in the tests. I wouldn't let it be a deal breaker for an otherwise good nanny.

if she baths your dc as well then dont see the problem,assuming all will share the bath water

i still think you should buy the car seats- it is a different issue

one that should have been discussed at interview, and then maybe her salary will be a bit less to cover the fact she is lucky enough to bring her dc and also not giving 100% time to your dc

food wise, friends who take their own dc have always had their childrens meals previded,tbh an extra meal of pasta/meat/jackets etc isnt a lot BUT they also will bring some food every now and again and this will go feed all,ie she might bring in a lb of mince/few bags of mixed veg etc

You sound a tad resentful about her feeding and bathing her children at yours. Be careful what you agree too as you can't change your mind later.

Is she a contender because she is cheaper as she might not be such a bargain now you are having to buy seats, and feed and bathe her kids.

If you want your child to use a seat then you need to buy them. I would compromise and maybe pay half the mileage for the school run.