If a nanny uses her own car for work who buys the car seats?

[headfairy]

Having just shelled out for a set of car seats for my parents car as they do some childcare duties too, I'm reluctant to buy yet more (that'll be 6 car seats for 2 children!). I've interviewed a nanny I really like, she has 2 ds's of her own, and has to do her school run when she would be working for me. She has a 7 seater she's happy to use but will I have to supply her with car seats? Our current ones are isofix and bolted in to the car, so a real faff for me to move all the time (plus I never have time in the morning, she turns up and I dash off)

Also, if she's using her 7 seater to do the school run, with my dcs in, should she be charging me mileage. What happens if they go to the park after school?

Car seats, I think, are the least of your problems, they're a one off cost.

However, if she has no need to put your kids in the car ever, to do anything, then she should pay for them. However, if there will be anytime you would expect her to drive your children as part of her job then you should buy them. However, between you, you may be able to get some hand me downs from friends (so you know their history).

chippingin, that's brilliant thank you. I will most definitely mention all of those things when we see her, that's all so helpful for me.

If you will NEVER ask nanny to take your DCs anywhere in car then I think nanny should buy car seats, however if there is a chance you will ever ask her to take your DCs anywhere in car then I think you should pay.

You are at interview stage, so can I ask how job applications are going... are you getting many who are possibly worth interviewing?

This particular candidate may be assuming you will pay the salary advertised, even though they are bringing their own children. Whereas you may consider them bringing their own children but lower the salary by 30% or whatever to compensate a bit.

Other candidates may not come with their own children.

As a nanny, I provide carseats. If the parents don't want me to use mine, then they can provide car seats but they are to stay in my car, 7 days a week all year round. Lugging seats from house to car and back again with baby and toddlers in tow would be a nightmare!

"naughtymummy that's what I thought, which is why I want to be as open minded as possible. She's so nice and warm and friendly that I'm happy to allow much more than I would someone I didn't feel would be so good for the dcs."

Hopefully you wouldn't be employing someone who wasn't so good for your dcs.

nannynick they're going well thanks. I do find it really hard to know how to conduct interviews, but even though of course everyone is nice, when someone stands out it's immediately obvious. I do really like the woman with the 2 dcs, and it was immediately obvious that she would be great if I can get round the logistics.

I was surprised initially at how few responses I had. I had ads on nannyjob, netmums and childcare.co.uk (as well as on here natch!) and only really got four people I thought would be worth interviewing. However I've just put an ad on gumtree and had loads of responses, 5 of which I'm trying to contact to set up interviews with.

Quite a few are foreign, which I don't have a problem with per se, though I excluded the Turkish one who said she spoke a litle Inglis (sic). There are two Polish women both of whom have written lovely letters and are degree educated. There's also a man who used to work with a very high profile actor (not sure I can afford him, but it's still worth seeing him I think)

I have only said that salary was according to experience and quals... that's probably massively unfair, but I just didn't want to commit to a salary that I was prepared to pay for someone who was great and had 10 years experience to someone who was also great but had significantly less experience iyswim.

Imfab I won't be employing someone who was bad for the dcs, no. However while there are lots of totally suitable nannies, there are some that are not only suitable but great fun/creative/empathisers etc etc. I hope I'm lucky enough to find one before all my annual leave disappears and I have to settle for someone who is just alright rather than AAAAamazing.

Do you have a Featured Ad in Gumtree - looking at Gumtree I suspect you might. That may perhaps explain why you are getting quite a lot of enquiries via Gumtree. Though I expect it will also mean that you will need to narrow down those applicants to those who are within a reasonable travel distance and who meet the job criteria.

We've had discussion on this board in the past about the pros/cons of putting a salary.

When it comes to interviewing people, I think interviewing only a few people is best. You don't want to be interviewing everyone, just those who are definitely in the running following on from initial correspondence via e-mail/phone.

I'm sure you've spotted my ad then nannynick because yes I did do it as a featured ad. We're getting quite desperate now, I'm seriously short of leave and while my parents are helping out for now, they're away again in March so I'll have to take unpaid leave to look after the dcs.

I wanted to keep my options open wrt salary. Our previous nanny was fab, despite leaving us somewhat in the lurch (I'd have her back in a heartbeat) so we were prepared to pay more for her, but to be honest it was pretty hard on us. Lots of big time cut backs. While I don't want to compromise too much on the quality of care, I am much more open to someone younger or with less experience because at least it will give us some more breathing space financially.

I think I'm seeing about 40% of the people who replied on Gumtree, I automatically excluded the 16 year olds from Romania . There are some frighteningly young people looking for work!

It seems extremely petty to ask her to buy your DC car seats. That's all I have to say.

Well, they wouldn't be just for me. They would be hers, she could use them for other employers too.

Not surprised you ruled them out, it's a live-out job, so they need to live in your general area.

Any interviews this weekend? If so, hope they go well. Maybe you will love someone else just as much, so have someone to compare against.

Two second interviews this weekend, following up from last weeks interviews. One 25 year old, really nice. Chatty and enthusiastic. Not masses of experience but she was very at ease with ds, so I thought she was worth a second look. Plus the one with the two boys.

I think the employer should buy the car seats. My nanny happened to have car seats which are suitable for my oldest and youngest as she was previously a foster carer, but I provided the middle child's, and would provide new seats if and when required.

I would buy the car seats too, or boosters if suitable, all in all it will cost very little compared to your running expenses in a set up of 4 children - as long as you expect her to need the car to fulfill her duties. The car seats remain yours if so you wish.
I'd be more worried about feeding and funding activities for 2 other kids on a regular basis, you would need to get a fairly reduced rate to make it worthwhile.