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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU To think this hourly rate is a bit mean?

41 replies

notsohippychick · 19/07/2018 07:05

I’m asking advice as I have no clue in terms of this issue!

I have organised some help over the summer to assist me with my two children. Both are Autistic and the help means I can take them both out for the day with another pair of hands.

My problem is how much to pay her per hour? She’s 21 and has experience in childcare. I have asked some friends and they think about £5-6 per hour. Firstly this is below min wage and secondly, I just think it’s being a bit mean!

I was thinking around £9? I’m not expecting her to have both children together in her own. One or the other.

Those who have childminders can you recommend a fair hourly rate? She is helping in blocks of 4 hours of that helps?

Sorry to ask, but I’m clueless. I want to be fair because hopefully she’ll be worth her weight in gold and would love her to help out on a more regular basis.

Thanks guys xx

OP posts:
Pompom42 · 19/07/2018 07:09

When you say experience in childcare do you mean qualifications?
Minimum wage for 21 years is £7.38 hour.
I pay my childminder £4.20 hourly she's in her 60s. Nannies charge more.
I'm presuming it's cash in hand?

donajimena · 19/07/2018 07:09

I think 9 p/h is good. I'm guessing the 5/6 your friends are suggesting are based on what they pay childminders, however this is per child not per hour.

FauxFox · 19/07/2018 07:09

I have asked my ASD son’s school TA to do some babysitting over the summer and have offered £10 an hour but I agree that it’s very hard to work out what is a fair wage Confused

Oddbutnotodd · 19/07/2018 07:11

I think £9 is fair. Your friends are definitely being a bit mean. Would they be happy to work for so little? She’s 21 as well so definitely an adult. Pay what you’re happy with.

PrincessHairyMclary · 19/07/2018 07:12

£9 is roughly what a TA gets so I think that's reasonable, providing you are also paying for entrance into any attractions you go to. If you particularly want to eat in restaurants instead of having picnics you take with you, you may want to factor in money towards her meals.

NewYearNewMe18 · 19/07/2018 07:12

Your paying her cash-in-hand, presumably she's not declaring it, paying tax or NI. Therefore it's a lower rate. I presume you will be covering meals, snacks, entrance fees as well.

Labradoodliedoodoo · 19/07/2018 07:13

Yes£9. Your friends are taking the piss.

NapQueen · 19/07/2018 07:13

I would just round it to £40 per day (for the 4 hours).

ChocolateChipMuffin2016 · 19/07/2018 07:13

I pay my Childminder £6.20ph but she has more than one child and is at home so it’s not the same, both my mum and sister are nanny’s and charge £10-£12ph so I would expect you to pay closer to that amount tbh.

blueskiesandforests · 19/07/2018 07:14

www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=Nursery_Worker/Hourly_Rate

Your friends sound incredibly mean spirited - why are they advising you to pay under the minimum wage if you can afford to pay more comfortably? It takes quite a nasty person to take advantage of someone less well off, who is helping you with your children, when you could afford to pay them a respectful wage to show you value them.

If you can afford £9 an hour pay it. Your employee will still only be earning £36 per day if they're only working 4 hours per day. Presumably it's a university student?

If they got a shop job they'd be adding to their national insurance record at least, and get more hours, and earn more. Presumably you're paying cash in hand.

Apparently the average nursery worker earns a bit over £7 per hour, which is pretty insulting to the people looking after our kids! Paying less than that when you can afford more would be mean, paying more generous.

Labradoodliedoodoo · 19/07/2018 07:15

£5 would be fine if employing a 14 year old to babysit a sleeping child. However this girl is older, trained, looking after two and will be capable of supporting your child with ASD.

Labradoodliedoodoo · 19/07/2018 07:16

£40

Original poster
notsohippychick · 19/07/2018 07:17

Thanks guys.

Yes she does have qualifications. She used to work in my sons nursery before she went to uni.

OP posts:
NewYearNewMe18 · 19/07/2018 07:19

Have you asked her what her hourly rate is ?

Original poster
notsohippychick · 19/07/2018 07:20

Yes of course. Any days out, food etc would be paid by myself.

I appreciate everyone’s response. I’m glad I was on the right track! I also think as the boys have additional needs it’s appropriate to pay a little more. I want someone the boys can create a lasting relationship and who they like so if I need some help in the future they would be happy to be with her.

Thanks again xxxx

OP posts:
Original poster
notsohippychick · 19/07/2018 07:22

Yes of course I’ve asked her. No reply as yet as she’s away but I’ll offer £40 for 4 hours I think.

OP posts:
Pennina · 19/07/2018 07:22

Hi, I have autistic dd and also had a helper during hols for trips when she was young. I think £9.00 is fair. Px

Tubie · 19/07/2018 07:22

Typo earlier... Minimum wage is £7.83 not £7.38. So don't consider less.

SewButtons · 19/07/2018 07:27

Where you are in the country will change the local going rate but I am a Nanny in London and I charge roughly £12/13 per hour and I have a second job with a child who has additional needs and I charge around £15 an hour there.
I have many years experience and high level qualifications though and obviously London prices are higher than the rest of the country.
But I’d say that at least £10 an hour would be fair.

SmileSweetly · 19/07/2018 07:27

I think you're friends are thinking if the rate they pay a child minder (which would not be due one on one care) or the hourly rate they pay a teenage babysitter.

I think your rate is closer to the mark.

Kickassbitch · 19/07/2018 07:30

OP if you are going to be her employer and her your employee, she will need at least the minimum wage for her age, you will need to be registered as an employer and make sure you offer her other statutory rights.
If she is offering her services as a freelance/selfemployed worker, she is not entitled to a minimum wage and she should set her wage and you could negotiate with her.
Cash in hand, what ever you want really in my opinion, but if you want to be fair I would consider doing it properly via one of the first two, keeps things above board and you know where you stand in terms of her being an employee and following your lead or her being self employed and having a contract of service type thing.

Gardenpicnic · 19/07/2018 07:33

£40 much easier than trying to always find the right change for £9ph too Wink

Kickassbitch · 19/07/2018 07:37

£7.83 is the living wage for over 25's, the minimum wage for over 21's is a little less £7.38. Just checked the website, if freelance they may charge their services per child or factor other things in to their charge.

knowsmorethansnow · 19/07/2018 07:37

I work in a nursery and any extra babysitting any of us do we charge £10 an hour.

Thetvson · 19/07/2018 07:40

Respite care offered through our council for children with additional needs is £18 an hour! So even £9 might be a little low. However, if you will be there with her all the time, I can see that a reduction in that would be appropriate. I d suggest around £11-12