How much should we pay a nanny for a weekend?

I think 200 is plenty. Assuming she and the boys sleep for 8 hours, then she is doing 28 hours of work at just over £7/hour. If she is normally a nanny for work and has at least several years of experience than she could probably ask for more -- but then if that was the case she'd be familiar with what to charge you.

For someone who is not normally a nanny, I think I'd give £5-£6 per hour plus a £30 overnight fee. That's £170-£198 for your job.

I used to pay my nanny her regular hourly rate for daytime/early evening hours when she was working directly with dd (approx 12 hours), and then half rate for late evening/sleeping time.

£250 to £300 in my opinion.

if you work out what it would be at an hourly rate of £8 - £10 for 36 hours cover that doesn't seem so extortionate! The overnight should be at an enhanced rate, but if it is for cash then that kind of cancels that out and so you can just charge a flat rate at the going rates for London.

You need also to bear in mind that although this is a highly reponsible role, you are not paying for commitment and an ability to nurture your children as they develop, just for her to mind them so this will affect the rate.

Again, on the flip side, you need to make it worth her while as just a one off event...

Difficult, but I still reckon £250 - £300. I don't think she'd refuse £200 though if there waas lots of M&S food in and a DVD or two of her choosing!

Personally I feel a w/e is similar to AT LEAST 3 full days, and with the hours (6am) even more. £200 would be minimum IMHO. Have you asked her how much she wants?

I would say £250 - £300 due to the long hours, even though they are tucked up in bed, she can't DO anything.

I am trying to remember when my nanny worked overnight one weekend for us, we gavce her 4 days off (effectively about £200 +) but we are not in London. Also if you do cash in hand, £200 is not so bad hmmm. Ask your friend how much she used to pay her.

That might be fine - offer it and see what she thinks.

We're in London too, and we have a contractual arrangement for sole charge w/ends (should we ever use them) with our nanny - she would get £8.50/hr for when the children are awake plus an "overnight fee" of £50 - which would put it higher than yours. Our overnight fee is quite high (I think £30 would be good enough if you've got good sleepers) but we didn't mind agreeing to what she was asking just because we don't often make use of the arrangement.