To wonder if we are cursed when it comes to childcare?

[hibbledobble]

We had to leave childminder after fees increased by 20% with less than a months notice. Now nursery is increasing their fees by 70% with on a few weeks notice.

I found a nanny and had agreed a rate, and now she has just told me that she wants 50% more. We obviously can't meet this, as it's more than either of us earn.

I'm just wondering how on earth I am meant to work now. There are no other nurseries or childminders in the area. Plus if I don't go back to work I will need to repay my maternity pay.

Just a rant.

Incidentally can anyone tell me what they think is a reasonable rate for a nanny with own child in London, working their first nanny job?

With three children a nanny is certainly an option but you do need to be very clear on what you are prepared to pay. London varies but a live-out nanny could earn £14 gross an hour in many areas and a NWOC would generally get around 20-30% less (though some may feel they should get the same as a nanny without child).

For the tennis I analysed the salaries offered to nannies in the SW19 Wimbledon area and it was £7.87-£15.17 gross. So you may be able to find a nanny who is just starting out who will accept a lower salary but experienced nannies may be around the £12-14 gross amount.

fr It's not an option to go back to the childminder as she is stopping work due to personal issues. The fee rises are most likely to do with this. I think we are actually in some ways fortunate that we left when the fee increase was announced, as those who stayed had a difficult time due to the personal issues effecting her work.

nannynick Thank you for the figures. Based on those, and the fact that she had no experience as a nanny and would have been a nwoc I think we were offering a reasonable amount. I think someone may have told what an experienced nanny without a child could earn, and she therefore decided to chance it with us.

I wouldn't go with a NWOC when you have 3 children of your own. A toddler with a nanny's toddler is fine. Obviously mothers with 4 children exist and cope but paid childcare with one adult looking after 4 children where one or two of those are babies sounds like a bad idea to me.

corilia that is a fair point. It's not an option anyway now as her wage expectations have turned out to be rather unrealistic and unaffordable.

I find it very difficult that whenever we think we have childcare sorted that it goes tits up.

Could you look at using nursery for your youngest and get an aupair for the two school age children?

ripple there are no nurseries in the area for babies. I would love for there to be one.

Is it worth advertising the nanny job again, specifying the salary on offer and seeing if you get any applicants?

nannynick We didn't advertise the nanny job to start with, this was a friend who approached us. The experience has put me off looking for a nanny, but it is an option. Thank you for the suggestion.

when I was looking at nannies in London, I was told 10% reduction for a nanny to have their own child with them was standard

Have you trawled childcare.co.uk and similar boards?

Are you getting childcare vouchers - they can really help with the fees

(As an aside, what school doens't offer a Reception year??)