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!)
AIBU?
to think that people have unrealistic expectations from Nannies?
TheSeventhHorcrux · 20/03/2013 23:49
Crashdoll - I have worked with some exceptionally wealthy families - its finding the wealthy families who don't think they own you as staff Good experiences yes but I lived the 2devil wears prada" for a while too!
Hmmm my post seems to have vanished. Basically saying DP's Mum's direct payment is limited to what council think they would pay for a care home and we have to stretch that to 24/7 care at home. Wish we could pay what the job is worth saintly 
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Thanks for your reply to my question about care work OP. I'm sorry if I'm being a bit thick but are you saying you think around £300 pw live in for dementia care might be ok? Having one person living in long term would enable us to create a backbone of continuity and stability.
I am very interested in what saintly is saying. (DP Mum's care is also direct payment funded but the rate is much less than £10 ph because of an upper limit). Using your (OP) situation as an example ie the hours and work you are doing for current wage and your interest in studying: In this fantasy care job you'd have a slower paced day with some similar activites ie simple cooking, laundry. Because of the slower pace it is possible to read/study/mumsnet at times while 'on duty' and it might be possible to work round a day in college or doing a few hours SN for someone like saintly.
My intention would be to adjust the job around the person as far as possible. I agree totally with saintly that exact experience isn't essential. For me the most important quality is kindness.
just to be clear this definitely isn't an advert or a head hunt
Theseventh when I employ people I'm more interested in willingness etc than lots of experience. Some of the best people I've had came to me with no experience. If you had time around your main job you could look for odd- hours work with playschemes/respite centres etc. Each area usually has a SN newsletter and you could see whether you could put a little bit in there saying you are looking for PA (personal assistant) work (that's the official name fore type that I offer - paid by direct payments). Or even start with babysitting.
And I'd recommend this www.amazon.co.uk/Makaton-Nursery-Rhymes-DVD/dp/B000IHZ4FG?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 as a good way of starting to learn Makaton (often useful)
Once you're working with one or two people you name will spread - I always struggle to find people!
My usual wage is £350-£400 net per week which sounds a lot but thats for a 7-7 days, making all meals (for children), tidying up/cleaning up after them, school runs if necessary, nursery duties, laundry, shopping, any odd jobs that need doing on top of entertaining and teaching the children, taking them out, changing nappies, etc etc.
For parents that have 2 or more children under 5, a live in nanny is cheaper than a nursery. But its not in the culture up here so I have to look in London.
I'm starting to get more and more concerned as these seem to be the only kind of jobs advertised.
saintlyjimjams - would LOVE to do something like that, especially as I'm doing a psychology degree (PT Open Uni) but have no idea how you would get into that kind of thing with no SN experience...
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