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Original poster

Trying to find a nanny for weird/irregular hours- WWYD?

65 replies

Huishnish · 12/02/2017 11:29

Hi all,
Just wondered if anyone had any experience of this? We had a brilliant nanny who could accommodate my weird requirements (DH and I both musicians) but recently moved to berkhamsted, Herts and I just cannot find someone. Have been looking for 5 months! I've tried offering a minimum number of hours per month, and have tried agencies and childcare.co.uk. Surely I'm not the only person on the world who doesn't work mon-fri 9-5?
TIA

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MustBookADentistAppointment · 12/02/2017 17:33

There are lots of Berkhamsted nanny/babysitting Facebook groups, have you tried advertising on any of them? Some friends have had a lot of success advertising for strange hours/arrangements on there.

underneaththeash · 12/02/2017 17:30

We struggled to even get someone 25 hours a week when we moved out of London and ended up with.....an au pair. But, as art said your children are too young for an au pair.

It is very difficult to get part-time flexible childcare outside London.

Maybe change tack a bit and try and find someone who maybe only works 3-4 days a week, but may want a few extra hours sometimes? If you get 3 people like that then you may have your week covered.

I'd also suggest giving sitters.co.uk a try too. They do have daytime sitters and can often accommodate short notice, but you're unlikely to get the same carer each time.

venusinscorpio · 12/02/2017 17:26

You're not thinking about it from a nanny's point of view, are you? If there are more convenient, better paid and more regular roles your role just isn't going to attract people, let alone the highly qualified and experienced nanny you want. I think you're going to have to compromise on something. To be brutal it's your problem, no one else's.

How could a nanny share work when you can't commit to regular hours?

MadHattersWineParty · 12/02/2017 17:10

It's so tricky for someone to commit to that though as how would they work in another job? 50 hours a month at the going nanny rate would not even cover my rent.

Original poster
Huishnish · 12/02/2017 15:29

It's different days/times each week, some weeks I work a lot and other weeks not at all. How do you mean a babysitter? What difference does that make to having a nanny? I'm keen to have one main person looking after the kids as they're still tiny. Also I'd rather have someone well qualified- partly to set my mind at rest but also it's quite tough with the small age gap etc

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WheresTheEvidence · 12/02/2017 15:19

50 hours a month is very minimal that averages to 10-12 hours a week. Is that over any certain days or different days each week. WouldNT you be better having a babysitter?

Artandco · 12/02/2017 15:15

An au pair isn't really suitable for a baby and toddler. They are for older children really. You would need a live in nanny

Original poster
Huishnish · 12/02/2017 15:11

Yes I feared that. Our house isn't big enough really and I'm not sure I love the idea of someone living with us... has it worked out well for you number7?

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Heratnumber7 · 12/02/2017 15:00

What you need is an au pair. The answer to all your problems!

Artandco · 12/02/2017 14:53

50 hrs a month is very little. Are they fixed hours?

Original poster
Huishnish · 12/02/2017 14:43

I've got 2 boys, 2.5 and 10 months. I know it's a big ask... guess I was just unbelievably lucky last time to find an amazing nanny who didn't mind fitting in.. any other ideas? Do you think a nanny share might work? And if so, how to find one? Thanks

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JoJoSM2 · 12/02/2017 14:35

Don't know the number and age of children but 50h/month is very part time. Perhaps an au pair might suit?

Original poster
Huishnish · 12/02/2017 14:25

Thanks for your replies. Yes it's wildly different week to week and does include evenings and weekends. I'd offered 50 hours minimum per month. My mil can do a couple of days a week so I'd hoped to get someone who maybe had a job those days and wanted to fit some more work around those but it just hasn't happened. What sort of pay would you say I'd need to give to attract someone? Thanks again.

OP posts:
Bythebeach · 12/02/2017 11:39

It's tricky as unless the minimum number of hours is a full time equivalent, it's not very attractive as irregular hours don't easily allow another job etc. We did have an amazing flexible nanny but we started with two years of regular hours and then she was keen to stay when my hours became irregular so we were v lucky. How old are your kids? Are you near a hospital nursery - they offer v flexible and late hours to fit with shifts etc.

MadHattersWineParty · 12/02/2017 11:36

what kind of schedule are we typically talking though- is it very unpredictable? What minimum hours do you offer? Times are hard and if you're in London the nanny has her own outgoings she has to cover. I had to have a chat with my boss recently as I'm on an hourly rate and she'd needed for less hours than normal- it had a huge impact on my financial situation until she agreed to increase the hourly rate.

It's not always easy for a nanny to work late into the evening at short notice either. We have lives outside of work. If it was a job that meant giving up weekends and evenings I'd expect the pay to reflect that.