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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

or what is reasonable pay for a nanny doing this potential job?

88 replies

Dillydaydreamer · 04/04/2009 23:36

I am hoping to do my HV training soon and will need a nanny from 7.30-4.30/5ish mon-friday. No weekends/Bank hols or babysitting duties. To live out.
2 dds- 3.5 and 18mths both in good routines and well behaved for other people!
Daily duties would be to get children washed/dressed and breakfasts, take dd1 to pre-school each morning and dd2 to nursery (2 mornings) or an activity. Pick up at 12 then lunch.
Children sleep in the afternoon for 1.5-2.5hrs. In this time I expect dishes from meals washed and evening meal prepped if needed. That would be for all the family as we always eat as a family. Nothing complicated as we aren't fussy
I then expect the nanny to rest for an hour lunch
I expect her to take coffee when possible
Extra jobs only expected when both children are at school (3hrs for 2 mornings)
switch washer on which I load.
ironing (childrens only)
hoover/dust/tidy/sort childrens clothes etc in their rooms.
There could be odd occasions where she/he would be needed until 6pm but plenty of warning.
Do I sound like a good employer?
How much would you expect to be paid?

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Dillydaydreamer · 05/04/2009 15:14

Sorry its taken so long to get back to you all and thanks for all your replies since this morning.
So can I say on the whole my proposal is reasonable?
Like I have said I wouldn't spring jobs onto the nanny without warning at interview. To be fair my dds are both reasonably low maintainance and reasonably easily pleased. DD1 will entertain herself with jigsaws, drawing, playdoh for at least 15-20mins at a time and LO is quite happy walking round or playing with toys so long as you chat to her as she does things. Neither cry much (dd1 does with me due to jealousy about dd2 but is fine with my friends who CM and when out and about) Both eat well and aren't fussy, how much depends on the day though
I live in Blandford so Bath would be too far to travel and live out unfortunately.
I think on the pay front we have got x wires, I did mean about 10 gross so about 8 net ph.
I do have to add that if DH or myself got home early and had no work to do then I would send home early. All holidays would be paid approx 6wks per year including bank hols.

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willowthewispa · 05/04/2009 15:36

I think even £10 gross sounds pretty high.

Dillydaydreamer · 05/04/2009 19:06

Well thats good news willow Hopefully it will attract a good one who doesn't mind turning the oven on or peeling a few veggies

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willowthewispa · 05/04/2009 19:26

Really, unless you are pretty loaded I would reconsider offering £10 gross an hour. I know doctors and lawyers in Bristol who pay their nannies £8/£9 gross an hour part time, and I can't imagine Blandford wages are much higher - for a full time position you can offer a slightly lower hourly rate. There's a job I've seen advertised in Frenchay recently - just over 40 hours over 4 days, for £16,000 pa.

MollieO · 05/04/2009 19:28

I have nothing to add on the duties of a nanny, only a word of warning. My ds dropped his daytime nap overnight. 3.5 is quite old to be having a daytime nap (mine stopped bang on 2) so you may well find that your prospective nanny won't have much time during the day once that happens.

hedgiemum · 05/04/2009 19:38

Dilly - I employed a nanny for 2 years who had a similar job description to the one you're proposing. I advertised it on gumtree, making it clear that there were some house responsibilities whilst dd was at nursery. We found a FABULOUS girl, who was from Slovakia but engaged to a local lad. She was amazing so we increased her pay twice. Initially we paid £7.50 ph gross, then £8.50, then £9. Plus, she got us to fire our cleaner, who was rubbish and charged £10 ph, and she did it instead also for £10 per hour. Although we no longer need a nanny, we see her loads as a friend and for babysitting, we went to her wedding in Slovakia, etc.. When she left us she went to friends of ours.

So what you are offering is totally realistic, ime. I would advise offering the job initially at a lower hourly rate, with space to increase it, making clear to the nanny that you will do 6 monthly reviews and the money is in the pot to increase. So perhaps starting at 8.50ph gross. I know our former nanny still earns £9 ph, and she says she doesn't anticipate getting any more than that anytime soon, as none of her nanny friends earn higher than that. So £10 per hour sounds a bit high, esp in Dorset (we're in Oxon). I have a housekeeper now, (well 2, who job share) and I pay £11 per hour gross, for a much harder job.

Good luck in your search - I'm sure you'll find a lovely nanny!

Dillydaydreamer · 05/04/2009 19:42

Hi mollie, dd1 seems to take after me LOL. My mum said that she worried about me going to school as I was still having an afternoon nap right up to starting school and still would now if I could!
Even if she did drop her nap, at 3.5 she can entertain herself for 30 mins/TV for a short while, as if dd2 is still asleep then going out won't be an option.
I don't think it is a good thing for dds to have undivided attention from 1 adult all day. They have to understand that other things need to be done and quite frankly my dd will probably help if she can, which is learning life skills IMO.

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Dillydaydreamer · 05/04/2009 19:45

Thanks for that hedgiemum, did she live out or in?

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letswiggle · 05/04/2009 21:08

ds2 still naps for ages when given the chance, and he's 4.5

Dillydaydreamer · 05/04/2009 21:28

Ah good that gives me some hope that we can eventually go out for the full day!! DD1 has never slept in her buggy as a toddler

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hedgiemum · 06/04/2009 13:29

Dilly - yes, she lived out. Another thought for you, I've got 2 friends who have a nanny/housekeeper. They pay more than a nannies money, so about what you're planning on offering I think. When the DC are at school/nursery the clean the house, prepare family meals etc... Lots of nannies would have no interest in this kind of arrangement, but there are a lot of good people out there losing their jobs at the moment, so they may well be interested.

RachieB · 06/04/2009 16:42

sounds like a lovely job
and i wouldnt have a prob with the prepping meal etc,hardly slave labour ! lol

some nannies think they are above that evidently

nice to see you thinking it through so much,you will be a lovely employer I'm sure

Hope you find someone suitable

xx

Dillydaydreamer · 06/04/2009 21:53

thanks RachieB I have thought long and hard and it is definately the best option.
I'm of the opinion that good managers don't expect employees to do anything they aren't prepared or capable of doing themselves in an allocated time.
I also know how it feels to have parents constantly late without warning, being overloaded with no hope of achieving goals etc. both in nursing and in CMing.

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