New nanny: what to consider?

[chegggersplayspop]

DS1 (and DS2 soon) attend a nursery, but when DS1 starts school next year we are planning to go down the nanny route. DS1's key worker at nursery is about to go on maternity leave and I have asked her if she would be interesting in taking this nanny job on as she wasn't planning to return to the nursery. I'm keen to make it work out as DS1 is really fond of her, and we know she is great with him.

The intention is that when she wants to come back to work she will look after my two, and bring her baby too. She also has an older son who is at senior school, but I don't envisage he would be at our house as well (though obviously need to clarify this with her!).

I am meeting her soon to discuss and plan for this, so wanted some advice really on what sorts of things I should be thinking of. I'm keen to do things 'properly' so was going to get a contract done and would probably pay for her insurance. I'm not sure how to set her pay though so some advice on this would be helpful. Also, is ofsted registration easy/advised?

Any tips/advice on things to cover from experienced nannies would be very welcome! I especially don't want to scare her off!

When I returned to work as a nanny after having dd1 I was paid the same and my conditions we almost the same. They were very fair so I was with them. When I went back I only claimed petrol money when it was for their children and if it was for all I would only claim for half. I treated thier money the same way. I had been their since their youngest 2 were 10mnths they where then 4 and in their pre- school year so I had a really good relationship before I had my baby. I also new I want to bring my child up the same way as they were bringing up theirs. I worked for them until they were in school as well as odd days to cover sickness ( they always gave me the option not to cover sickness) things to make sure
That you agree on discipline
You have to be sure if her child and one of yours bump heads that there is a good chance that she will comfort both children and then sort out the most hurt
What will happen if her baby is ill
what will happen if yours is ill

her car must be insured for work use

If you are not happy with the answers it not really going to work that well. The big one to agree on is discipline. A nanny will do what you tell her to but if she doesn't agree she won't do it with her and it will cause a problem in the future.

Will she leave some stuff at your house (baby toys travel cot spare nappies)
Holidays will she take it when you do?

That's all I can think of at the mo.

My dd1 is about to turn 9 It worked so well for us we still see them and when they are not busy the parent babysit for me. My daughter really enjoyed having 3 part time brothers and they enjoyed having a part time sister

Quickly - will do longer reply later - she must pay her own nanny insurance. If you pay there's a potential conflict of interest and if it came to claiming, heaven forbid, the insurance company could refuse to pay out.

Thanks for the replies, these are giving me some good ideas for things to cover. I didn't realise about the insurance so will definitely do it that way around.

Bump. Any more tips?

You and her need to check contract with nursery, as sometimes they can contain clauses prohibiting you employing a member of staff for a certain time period following leaving nursery. Mind you, in the situation you describe it may not be such an issue as she may have stopped working for the nursery some time before starting work for you... though it may depend on if she's getting maternity pay or not. If she's on maternity leave, then she's still their employee.

Consider practical things such as having enough high-chairs, bouncy chairs, suitable car seats.

Consider what happens if a child is ill... one of your's, one of hers. Children can be ill enough not to be at school... but not so ill that a parent needs to be with them.

If your child gets chickenpox, would your nanny still look after them - or refuse as it may risk their own child?

Consider how far away from your home the person lives. I would say that a live-out nanny will generally live within 10 miles... shorter distance in a city. Look at travel time, likely travel routes... is the person being realistic in being able to get to work on time?

Generally I would say you are best off asking specific questions on here, rather than asking for general tips, as it is much easier to answer a specific question. Have a look through the archive on here for anything related to nannies (tip: use Advanced Search and restrict search to just this section of Mumsnet). That should then give you lots of info about the various things that crop up, plus may bring up things you have not considered and thus you can then ask a specific question about that particular subject. For example you have mentioned a contract - do you know what that needs to contain? Have you looked at how you will be paying your nanny... registering as an employer, operating PAYE.

Nannynick, thank you for your suggestions. I will come back if I have any specific questions. Thanks again.