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Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Advice on nannies for a clueless first timer!

16 replies

Amberc · 01/09/2010 11:26

Hi all, never had a nanny before and will need one in the new year as twins coming plus I have a DS aged 2.2. I am clueless sorry but what hours do nannies work? I think one of the scariest times will be bathing and bed and I guess she/he will have gone home by then. Also do nannies ever work on Saturdays? This is quite important to us but will will probably only want someone 3 days a week (read can only afford!). Any advice greatly appreciated!

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lifeinagoldfishbowl · 01/09/2010 11:33

Nannies can and do work a variety of hours and you may find a nanny to work the hours you need.

Most nannies work a 12 hour day eg 7-7 so this would cover tea/bath/bedtime.

Some nannies will agree to work weekends - if you want 3 days you're probably best offering Thurs/Fri/Sat - as a working pattern although you won't be restricted to offering those days.

HowsTheSerenity · 01/09/2010 12:21

You need to figure out what kind of nanny you want. Are they trained or just experienced. How much are you willing to pay. Do you want them ofsted registered. What hours do you want them.

I would look through some of the previous threads.

Also, look at nannyjob.co.uk and gumtree for nannies. Gives you an idea of who is out there.

fridayschild · 01/09/2010 13:32

Lots of mums work part-time now, which is hard for the nannies as they earn less. Have you considered sharing a nanny with someone? It sounds like you can be flexible on days. This would help keep the cost down.

I would agree with you about bedtime being most stressful! FWIW my nannies have always been happier to do overtime in the evenings than first thing in the morning so if you are not fussed about an early start I think you will get the bed time cover you need.

My nannies have lived out and worked 0830-1830.

Blondeshavemorefun · 01/09/2010 15:36

maybe you need an afternoon/evening nanny, say 2-7/8pm and cover tea/bath and bed

my friend does a job like this and then works in a nursery 9-1 4/5days

you may find it hard to find a nanny who wants to give up every sat

you may be better off having 2/3 regular nannys doing the weekend shift

why do you want/need a sat - as hopefully your dh/dp will be there to help you

Amberc · 01/09/2010 16:03

Well I need a saturday person because my DP works a very super stressful job , leaves at 7.30am and doesn't get home until at least 8pm - he needs a break too!

Thanks everyone - it sounds like it is possible. I wuold love to share a nanny if that would be helpful but again have no idea how to go about it. I will look up some previous threads on this as I;m sure there are plenty. Many thanks for your help!

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nannynick · 01/09/2010 16:51

Your location could make a difference to your chances of finding someone. I think you used to live in Greenwich (I seem to remember seeing your username in the past - I grew up in Greenwich area thus read threads to do with Greenwich on occasion) but you moved about a year ago... did you end up staying in London?

As a nanny, I would not be interested in a 3 day job which involved a Saturday. When I was younger perhaps but a 3-day job just doesn't tend to pay enough to cover the mortgage and other bills. 4-days a week does... and I quite like working 4 days a week, much nicer than 5 days.

However not all nannies are like me... some won't mind working 3-days one being a Saturday... though be prepared for it not appealing to many. Try advertising for it... see what you get. Then if you don't get suitable applicants, consider what other day combinations could be possible.

Remember to agree a GROSS salary... as the person could have another job which may already be using their personal tax allowance.

I would avoid a nannyshare if I were you... you have a 2 year old and will have newborn twins. The last thing I expect you will want is any more children in your home!

It isn't clear if you will be working away from home whilst the nanny is caring for your children. Some nannies can prefer to have sole-charge and may not work that well with a parent around at home all the time. Others will be fine with it. If you specify it in adverts, then applicants know from the start if the job is working alongside you, or if it's sole charge.

Have you seen my Example Costs of Employing A Nanny post I did back in December? Could be useful reading as it talks about salary and many of the additions on top.

Amberc · 01/09/2010 18:16

Nannynick excellent post thanks and amazing memory! I live in Beckenham now. I was going to use an agency to be honest as at least they will send me people who match my spec. Will read your other post now many thanks!

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Amberc · 01/09/2010 18:24

Omg!!!! I can't believe it's so expensive!

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Karoleann · 01/09/2010 18:30

Its hideous isn't it! Nannies are well paid. Live in help is cheaper if you have a spare room - au pairs can help out some of the time and mother's helps will do housework as well.
Good luck x
PS some of the nanny colleges want parents who can offer placements, you can't leave the house when they're there, but its an extra pair of hands and you can always go and have a nap!

nannynick · 01/09/2010 18:52

I got a bit lost in Beckenham last week on my way to chistlehurst caves. I hate London driving.

Nannies do unfortunately cost quite a lot but it can be cheaper than other forms of childcare when you have 3 or more children.

catepilarr · 01/09/2010 23:40

a foreign nanny might be happier to do saturdays as s/he might not have the same kind of (social) life as local british nannies might have. just a thought (from a foreign mothers help/semi-nanny)

Tarlia · 02/09/2010 08:26

Good luck finding the right solution for you.

I just wanted to point out that college placement helpers are not allowed to be left unsupervised with children, so unfortunatly even a nap is out of the question. They are literally another pair of hands, to help feed babies, or entertain toddler while mum is busy with babies. The reason for this is they are under training and not legally covered if anything happens to a little one in their care.

Amberc · 02/09/2010 09:01

Ah - napping is definitely on my agenda! Maybe Saturday could be a half day or something and the other half could be made up somewhere else. Hmmm - lots to think about - thanks all.

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Blondeshavemorefun · 03/09/2010 09:01

i know a nanny who was working thur/fri in beckanham but lost her job as mum couldnt afford her Sad

would you like me to pass on your details to her?

tho she wont want to work sat

i feel your best bet is to have a nanny for 2 days and maybe have 2 other people doing alturnite sats

frakkinnakkered · 03/09/2010 12:50

I agree that a 2 day nanny plus maybe a local childcare student, au pair or similar to help on Saturdays might be a good idea.

Are you going to want someone as soon as your twins are born? If so you might find more takers than you expect - newborn twins experience is not something to be sneezed at so a local nanny may well be happy to do Saturdays for a while to get that on the CV.

Whilst placement students can be great they can't be left alone and you don't always get a choice of when they come. Maybe they could be a free source of help one of the days you don't have a nanny (but you don't get your nap!)?

Amberc · 03/09/2010 14:33

Well I already have a maternity nanny booked for the first 4 weeks as I am certain to have a c section so won't need one until after that. Thatnks Blondes but I am going to to try and hold out for someone who can do a saturday. Mant thanks for the offer though! I wonder if someone at my older child's nursery might fancy a few extra quid for say half a day's work then on a saturday.

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