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Original poster

Nanny employers: would you use a service half way between a nanny and a nursery?

29 replies

limonchik · 08/09/2009 19:52

I've been thinking about this lately, and have wondered if there'd be any call for it or if it exists already. Basically a small nursery setting with much smaller adult:child ratios than a traditional nursery (1:1 for under 18 months, 1:2 for 18 months to 3 years, 1:4 for 3 to 5 years for example). The baby room might have 4 adults and 4 babies, and the adults move with the babies to the next room ensuring continuity of care. A set up like this would obviously have similar costs to employing a nanny, but with the advantages of not having to be an employer. There would be the one to one care of a nanny, but the benefits of a nursery in that there would be multiple adults around, socialising and structured play for the child, sickness/holiday wouldn't be a problem.

Would anyone use a setting like this? Or are the nanny and nursery markets very separate?

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Original poster
limonchik · 08/09/2009 20:15

shaps - I haven't thought in detail about the financial aspects, but that is definitely something to consider. I would imagine the pay for the staff would need to be pitched somewhere higher than average nursery nurse wages (to attract high quality staff and encourage them to stay long term) but lower than nanny wages (to reflect lower level of responsibility). Even if fees ended up higher than a nanny's wages, parents would be saving on heating/electricity/food bills in their own home, paying a payroll company, employers NI, nanny outings and activities, petrol costs, so it could still end up a better deal.

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nannynick · 08/09/2009 20:10

Many many years ago I did my first childcare related training course (PPA Basic Learning Through Play - see told you it was a long time ago) and the course tutor had a small nursery run from her home, where she aimed to have a higher adult:child ratio than you would find at larger nurseries. The nursery still exists - Poppets Day Nursery (Fleet, Hampshire) - Ofsted Report and their website says ration of 1 adult : 4 children. Ofsted registration says 19 children aged 2-8yrs - so they are not registered for babies.

I feel that your 1:1 staffing costs for babies will make your idea non-viable - to cover a 10 hour day, with a 1:1 ratio at all times will take more than 4 staff... as employed staff have rest breaks, plus may not want to work 10 hours. Your nursery may also be open for more than 10 hours.

I don't know if parents would pay the higher fees you would need to charge... would put your nursery at the top of the price scale in your area.

If you also offer a collection from home / delivery back to home service, then perhaps parents would feel the extra was worth paying... but I'm not sure. An advantage of a nanny is that the children can still be in bed when the nanny starts work.

shaps · 08/09/2009 20:03

It sounds interesting as a parent but would it be financially viable with those low child ratios which you propose. Even with increased prices for the parents, would that cover the costs of additional carers, providing a site for childcare, facilities and personnel to cook food, heating/elec, and meet Health and Safety/OFSTED requirements. Fees at the nursery might end up more expensive than a nanny for the parent.

TheWorstWitch · 08/09/2009 20:02

Yes, I;d use this.
One of the reasons why I don;t feel nanny is right for our family is that DD knows when nanny takes her to music groups, etc. that she isn't with her mummy, but almost all her peers are. Everyone in nursery setting is in same boat IYSWIM
Also, like teh social aspect of nursery setting.

Think this is a really good idea