to think that people have unrealistic expectations from Nannies?

[TheSeventhHorcrux]

I'm looking for my next Nanny position and have been scouring the net for private ads (am registered with many agencies too) but can't seem to find any ads for families that seem to have realistic expectations. Of course, there is a recession going on and I have put that down for the difficulty getting another role but...

Here's an example:

We are looking for someone who can work around 45 hours plus two evenings babysitting per week, in sole charge of our 4 year old twins and 6 year old. Term time hours are Tuesday-Friday (7.15-6.30) with the boys at nursery every morning and our daughter at school. During school holidays it will be Wednesday-Friday all day from 7.15-6.30. Although we do ask for some flexibility about the days. Babysitting may be any evening. The working pattern may change as needed, subject to negotiation. The pay is £150 per week plus board and lodging.

It seems that board and lodging are a fair exchange for pay.

Am I being unreasonable to think that £350-400 npw for 12 hours days + board and lodging is a fair expectation as an experienced, qualified nanny? Or have I got my head in the clouds?

(expecting to be flamed but be kind, its been a long day!)

Hahaha! I wouldn't worry- I doubt people will be biting their hands off!

what concerns me - is they may well be! There are no Nanny jobs at the moment!

It's a bit, "will work for food" isn't it?

In that case... I may well be in the market for a nanny!

I suppose London rents mean lodging is worth quite a bit... not so sure about people living in Rusholme or Handsworth.

I read the spec and thought "hmm, fair enough" and then I saw the pay .

£150!! Is that even legal - I thought you could only deduct a certain amount for board and lodgings for net minimum wage purposes!

YANBU with your assessment of that particular advertisement although I do think the situation is far worse for many au-pairs who, despite supposed part-time hours, are in reality often pressured to work for even less for the same conditions. I doubt they would be able to attract a qualified, competent nanny at that pay for those hours and expectations but qualifications and experience might be something they would be willing to relax their standards on. It sounds like they are fishing for the desperate and seeing what they can come up with, not so unusual these days.

I just wouldn't respond to those sort of ads if I were you.

In a few weeks time, it may well look appealing!

YANBU. Salary offered is an offence in itself and like someone says, probably not even legal.

Mimishimi - there are just no other kinds of ads really then again, what am I expecting from Gumtree? Someone once offered me a job £10 an hour to rest my feet on their face

Yep, just checked - for a 44 hour week and accommodation provided, legal minimum salary is approx £240 (£6.19 x 44, less £34 for accommodation)

I'd laugh so hard if any minute now the is an outraged post from the author of said advert. Would you stick your head above the parapet?

Yanbu TSH, I agree with pps.

Gumtree is possibly not the best place to be looking. You could do a letterbox drop in likely areas with rough hourly rate you are expecting?

If they had one child and were more reasonable about the hours i would say £150per week is good considering you would have zero living expenses (think about how much you would have left after paying rent, council tax, gas, electricity, transport, food, tv licence etc) a room in a flat share or equivalent in London is around £600+ pcm. If you are expected to be travelling around i would assume they would pay for an oyster card (approx £120 depending on Zone). Add all the other expenses up (be realistic).
I agree it doesn't sound much but it's very circumstantial.
Wishing you all the best in your job search.

I live in leicestershire and normally work in London so no luck really. Though I'm in the area next week (egg donation programme) so maybe can go round after that? If anyone knows anyone looking, I'm very good honest! but not quite cheap enough to work for food just yet

I'm not far away from sitting in the streets and handing out flyers, chasing people down the road shouting "let me look after your children!"

Ha! Sorry just seen your tenner for a face job post. Good money for a sit down!

Did you?

Rubbish!

Similar thing going on with office jobs at the mo. Want graduates with advanced software knowledge, must be able to write press releases, speak two languages, etc. etc. for £7 an hour.

I was earning that for a doddly job before I went to uni in 1995!

TotallyBursar - Nah, couldn't help wondering what he would be doing whilst I was "relaxing" - plus, how long for?!

Another thing I've noticed is that care work is paying more and there are loads of jobs.

Sounds more appealing than that stupid nanny job...

That's true, with the shifting demographic age profile throughout the Western world, not to mention the wealth transfer to older generations, there is far more lucrative work in providing care in that area (particularly since there are less young people to do it).

I was just about to start a thread asking for advice about trying to create a slightly similar type of position (I mean live-in not blatant exploitation!) as carer for DPs lovely Mum who has dementia. We've been alternating live in week/fortnights with other carers but now thinking about a different pattern. It's not great pay though as we are trying to stretch her council care budget so she can stay at home.

We have a lovely agency carer who's on a young person's working visa from New Zealand and has become like one of the family. She has to go home soon though and I have wondered, jobs being scarce, whether to try advertising here in UK or whether it would be seen as not really good enough.

Is it silly to think of it as a bit like a nanny job?

I was thinking of going into care work, it does seem similar to nannying, but I'm sceptical about the pay and how many jobs seem to be advertised compared to other work.

Isabeller - what exactly would you be offering? The only thing I know of similar was a job through my agency looking after a lady, live in, and that wads £300net per week. I don't know if that's a good example though.
Compare with other job ads, see what you find

Mary Poppins has a lot to answer for

They'd be better off having an au pair.

I doubt Mary Poppins would have showed up at that house .. . I think one of the problems is that the parents don't think looking after children is very important, so they don't need to offer a reasonable wage. Then they complain about the quality of carers that they do attract.

take the feetface position.