I'm a nanny with my own baby - what should I charge?

[Vizella]

Hi all,

I am a single mother of a 1.5 year old DS whom I've committed to looking after until he's 3 - I believe in prioritising his needs above my career, etc etc. I live with my parents at the moment, that's how I can afford it.

However, I am eating into my savings and would like to make some income as an after-school nanny so that I don't deplete all of my savings. Otherwise, I might have to go back to work and I don't want to do that.

My question is, would parents be okay with me looking after their children while I bring my DS along - he is well-behaved and bright, not the type to run around tearing things down - and also, should I charge slightly less or the same hourly rate?

So, in London, nannies charge about £15 net per hour, should I charge £10-12 per hour?

Thanks for your advice (and sorry if any of this offends some of you - no idea how lol, but you never know).

No way I'd pay nanny rates and have their child in my house too, your child is always obviously going to be your priority whilst in your care, so someone paying premium rates for their child's care to come second is stupid

I'm genuinely surprised you know one let alone loads. Are there no after school clubs in London! It seems madness to me that people would be content with having a toddler come to their home especially if they've got school aged children. Are the parents expected to toddler proof the property?

It wouldn’t bother me in the slightest if I were to employ a nanny I’d actually quite like that added element for my child if there was quite a big gap I think it’s nice when children mix with other age groups after being with their academic year all day every day at school I think it teaches some good skills and would be beneficial. I’d also value a nanny who was also a mother as although childcare qualifications are one thing being a mother gives a different type of awareness I think.

Nannies are usually employed by the parents, and minimum wage is £11.44 ph… (I think the OP was referring to net pay after tax too).

Not the same as a childminder who is self employed and charges per child.

I was a nanny for 4 years at some point - 3.5 years with a UK family, 4 weeks with a Qatari royal family and 2 weeks with a mother of a newborn while she rested with the baby I looked after her child with autism, some babysitting for 3 families, after school work for 2 families.

1 year as a kindergarten ESL teacher abroad and 1 year as a primary/middle school ESL teacher abroad.

Its because of my previous work as a nanny that I can now no longer work as a full-time nanny. I don't want my own baby raised by my mum while I go off looking after other people's children. That's why I suggested after school nannying - usually the parent has cooked food beforehand and I just need to heat it up. I help with homework and chat to the kids and then the parents arrive at 5.30-6pm.

Ah I see!

i feel quite surprised so many people are against this sort of idea it seems like a good option for all - cheaper childcare price, nanny gets to have her ds with her , an older child gets to have contact with another child. My dc have always adored playing with younger dc eg cousins and they get so excited when they teach them something or they play a game or make them giggle etc

Childminders are different because they are self employed and thus not subject to pay legislation. A nanny is an employee, and cannot legally be paid below NMW.

I see, thankyou

You sound like you would be a great help to any family ! I think go for it ! Good luck

Op hasn't said she has any attitude towards working parents.

She has said she wants to care for her child until he's 3. And is looking for school aged child - who is older than 3 and so no different to her situation.

I think you’ll struggle to find families who want someone to bring a baby/ young toddler. You cannot give their child the same level of care with a baby in tow, you just can’t.

You’re definitely going to have to go in at a low price point in order to temp anyone.

It depends on what your career experience before having your ds was.
You state in the title of your post that you are a nanny, but does that mean that you have qualifications, experience.
If you worked with children before having your ds then I do know quite a few former primary school teachers who have set up as child-minders of offered after-school pick ups and homework help.
Also what would happen if your ds was ill (because he has been home for 18 months, how would he cope with the infections that primary school children often bring home from school for example)? Would you expect your parents to help with that as well?

Given the endless desperate requests at this time of year in our local Facebook groups for after school nannies, I expect there’ll be quite a few willing to take their chances!

I would actually prefer it if I was looking for a nanny! But I love the whole ‘it takes a village’ approach and kids of all ages being together and I would absolutely trust someone qualified to be able to look after both dc at the same time .

The main thing for me would be the wear and tear on my house - I know from having had my own toddlers that they can be pretty destructive and it doesn't appeal to me to pay someone to bring one into my house regularly.

I would be more likely to consider a childminder with own children as it doesn't have that issue

You have a good point

I agree

How does NI/tax/pension work for this arrangement I wonder

Not cash in hand surely

Yes I can see that would be a consideration, as with a childminder it’s their house so I guess a nanny plus toddler in someone else’s home does have that potential for wear and tear. I’d still take it as I think the benefits would outweigh any potential negatives but I can see how it could be a deal breaker for some

Prioritise doesn't always mean making DS the centre of my attention, it sometimes means being in close proximity to him while I work for a couple of hours busying about and focusing on other children.

You sound like you have loads of great experience and I’d be really happy leaving my child with you and your baby.

The main thing for me would be the wear and tear on my house - I know from having had my own toddlers that they can be pretty destructive and it doesn't appeal to me to pay someone to bring one into my house regularly.

Same. Having a toddler whilst looking after another toddler is one thing but nannying for a family with only one school aged child would mean the property isn't toddler proofed.

Would the OP expect the parents to child proof the property and what happens if something gets broken by your child because let's be honest little kids are not known for being sensible no matter how much you think might think they are.

Surprised by this as Koru kids in London specialise in after school nannies and in my bit of London the rate is around £15-7/hr without them bringing a toddler along

I think it might work if you find the right family. I would want the nanny to cook the children's dinner from scratch though (not just heat something I've already made) and also be prepared to take them to their activities (eg their swimming lesson) so if your toddler would be OK with that great! Also not many parents paying nanny rates get back by 5.30pm/6pm. A more likely finish time would be 7pm. Also would you still show up for work if your kid was ill?

We are London based and have used Nannies. If I only had 1 child I’d be more than happy with this arrangement - but I have 3! We pay £16/17ph - 3:30-6:30 but would want dinner cooked in this not just heated up.
I’d probably expect to pay more like £13/14ph partly due to to your toddler but also only having 1 DC as that’s clearly easier!

There is huge demand for after school Nannie’s so I don’t imagine you’ll have too many problems finding something.