The Curse of Boff strikes again - this nanny has decided after a fortnight in post that petrol is too expensive

Boffin being employed is more about the timeline of a job than how many jobs you have. Self employed you hire out a service on a short term or renewable basis. It's not just about nannies; If I worked in retail and worked 2 days for John Lewis, 2 days for Boots and one in the local newsagents they would all be classed as my employers

Boffin when I talk about meeting my living cost I am talking about just that. I would expect that in any job! It would be no good my being employed and sleeping under a hedge with no money for fares to work or to buy food. Or to be up in court for not paying my council tax.

I have never demanded an unreasonable wage but expect to earn a living one. An agency I was with years ago told a client that if you paid peanuts you got monkey's working for you and allthough I thought that was a bit harsh there are employer's who resent every penny they pay their child's nanny/childminder/nursery.

I don't see how being self employed would work.

Confusedpixie Maybe someone from the tax office should go into school in the final year and explain about the tax system and the consequences of tax fraud and not paying a NI contribution. These people make me so cross as it Makes it difficult for nannies who do things on the books like ourselves to find long term work.

The only people in our line of work who may be able to go SE are maternity nurses who do short contracts and then go to another position but I'm not sure what happens with them.

Verity, I have always looked after the children in my care when they were sick and am amazed at how precious some of the so called modern nannies are. Did you not have a contract with your nanny where she had to give you a months notice?

I live in a town that a local newspaper once called the most expensive place in the South East so allthough I don't ask for an unreasonable wage! I do expect a fair wage and as I said I am prepared to negotiate if I don't have travelling cost ect and the job is enough hours to give a living wage.

So how do they live? Are they all free-loading at their parents' house and waiting for that perfect job to pop up on their iPhone??? I am even considering whether I should start looking for a better-paid job so I can pay more for my childcare. As if over £30k per year (we also have nursery costs) were not already enough.

We are miles out of London and offering £25k-£27k gross per annum for 55-60 hours per week live-in and finding it incredibly hard to get anyone worth having. Terribly disappointing. I really understand the feeling that they're interviewing you, which is fair enough, it's always a two-way street, but sometimes the nanny-approach does seem to cross over into arrogance.
But then, if they're all employed and can be choosy, I guess it's an employee's market for nannies at the moment, so poor us (employers).
Sigh.

I know, it's disgusting. Her behaviour was, at least. I mean, ok, I did not ask her in interview how robust her immune system was, but why would you do a job like that of you didn't want to at least be prepared to look after sick children. I made her call our GP too, who said there was no real risk if she had had it before, and she bailed all the same. She was immensely flakey, though so I doubt it was just that. But to leave me in the lurch with two ill children (and poor baby DS was REALLY ill with it, 500+ spots in his eyes, ears, willy, one burst in his ear, ear infection, further infection, antibiotics etc etc) was just incredibly unprofessional.) she had the best cv of any nanny I ever interviewed too which just goes to show...something.

Shame you're not in London Boff, as I know some fantastic nannies there (who were our success stories, and then we moved away) who are looking for new families at the moment.

Boff, whereabouts in the country are you?

We've had some shocking issues with nannies. The worst was the one who walked out when DD 2.2 and DS 10 months got chickenpox, saying she had a weak immune system and couldn't be near them in case she got it (tho she had had it already) and it compromised the babysitting she did in the evenings for other families.

I was very but said ok, well I'll let you know when all spots crusted etc. when I did call to let her know she was "safe" to come back she told me she had taken a job with another family and already started.

I saw her advertising again a few weeks later though so I guess that new job didn't "work out" either...

to you, Nanny Fran, if you're reading this.

sunshinenanny: I know, that's why I'm not SE, but unfortunately most girls down here are and refuse to be employed (and employers have no interest in being an employer)! My current employer tried to convince me that I would be fine and that they'd prefer me to be SE and it's better for me, even now they think I'm being silly about it but are paying my tax/NI.

The problem isn't helped by the having 2 or more part time jobs scenario, as some families seem to think that it means nannies can be SE if they have more than 2 jobs, and as part time work is pretty much all that is available down here it's not surprising. Add that to the fact that the nannies are mostly all under-25 and most don't really know any better about taxes and the legal bits, we have a pretty dodgy market down here at the moment. The only reason I know any better is because of nannyjob and MN, I would be just like the rest of the younger nannies in Brighton (and the rest of the country) otherwise!

There does need to be a reform about it all tbh.

I've been a nanny for 26 years (there are a few gaps where I "helped out in family business" and "travelled") but most of my jobs have been long term, 18 months being my shortest, 5 years the longest. I have excellent references.

I don't earn anywhere near the wage that younger nannies are asking for!

I am very lucky, I have amazing employers (I have to say that, MB is on here! Luckily it is true!) they are very laid back. I can come and go as I please. As long as my charge is happy and well cared for. I have quite a bit more than my stated holiday, which is a bonus. I have a very nice flat and a very nice car, so I do get a lot of perks. I do, however, work very long hours.

Would I like more money? Of course! Doesn't everyone. But like you say BoffinMum if we price ourselves out of the market, then it will take longer to find that next position. If you work for two years on £26k (£2100 a month ish) but then take 6 months to find a new job, then you will have earned £52k in 30 months which will take it down to £21k (£1700 a month) so why not take a job for £21k and stay employed constantly?

Right, off now, am being groom for my 15 year old previous charge (looked after him from 5 months - 4 years, he clicks his fingers and I come running, BUT he does give the bestest cuddles ever! This is why I do this job!) then back to theirs for supper and over night then spending the day with his twin brother, who is not so great with the cuddles but knows how to say the right thing! Then on Wednesday off for busmans holiday, looking after 9 year old twin ex-charges who I looked after from 6 months to 4 years, for 3 days!

confusedpixie nannies cannot legally be self employed and cash in hand is dodgy for the employer.

When I started as a nanny most jobs were full time but they seem to be like gold dust in the present climate.

I will allways negotiate on wage depending on travel cost and hours offered but at the end of the day I must earn enough money to keep a roof over my head and pay my bills.

I will be looking for a new job around september or maybe January due to my charge starting School and would love more hours and a bit less travelling but will have to go after what's available

I KNOW! We get The Times and I hid it from our nanny....

confusedpixie - you are right, it is mainly part time nannying down here.

boff - I blame the Times. They did an article a couple of months ago about 'the rise of the super nanny' talking about how you could earn £60-80k nannying for the super rich.

There was suppose to be a comma there but missed it
recken we could, call and we'll have a chat

Recken we could call me and we'll have a chat