Nanny to work split-shifts? Arrrgh!

[Checkmate]

I'm pregnant with me 5th DC (I will have 5 of 8 years and under, as from June). I run my own business from home, and DH works away some days each week, so life is busy.

Having so many children now, and no longer having a spare bedroom, necessitates us switching back to a nanny, after 3 years of hiring au pairs.

As form September my children will be attending schools in opposite directions, 8 miles apart. So I need a nanny from 7.30am (to help get them ready for school) and to do 1 morning school-run. Then again from 3.00 to do 1 afternoon school run, and to take older DC to activities/supervise homework whilst I look after younger DC (or vice versa). Really need them til at least 6, if not 7pm.

I don't, however, need a nanny between about 10 and 3 everyday. Each morning, or 2 full days would be fine, something like that.

If I pay top whack, will I be able to hire someone for these hours?
All holiday will need to be taken in school holidays, but I could offer extra paid holiday to sweeten the pill.

Or do I need to look for 2 (very) part-timers?

MY 5th, not me 5th.

As FROM not as form.

My typing is awful today...

I think financially you are going to loose out alas - but yes, if you are going to pay well then it will appeal to some.

Also - i cant see there being a problem with the holiday entitlement, it's quite common to be given limitations. I've had only school holidays and never school holidays. All fine. Good luck!

would you need the nanny all day during the holidays are you maybe fine someone who would want to get a job in between the hours you need so it wouldnt be possible for them to work all day in holidays

Thanks for the encouragement drinkyourmilk, thanks.

mrsthompsontobe - no I won't need nanny all day in the hols (I do a lot of my work for the business in the evening or on iphone whilst breastfeeding baby, stirring supper and building a den )

I would ideally like someone who doesn't have another job during the day though, so that if I'm ill or there is another crisis I can call on them for overtime. Obviously, I may not get a choice..

Sounds like a very busy household and yes you can find someone there are nannies who do before and after school hrs and I would suggest a nanny with own child (not a baby maybe in this instance as maybe a bit hetic) that goes to one or the other of your childrens schools.

alternatively would a mothers help suit someone who can help with school runs then during the day can help with some household bits like childrens washing and ironing, preparing meals- you could always have them do 3 full days and 2 days before and after school so you have some xtra help a few days - you would pay min wage for a mothers help so would prob work out about the same as paying a nanny a higher wage for inconvienent working hrs as before/after school hrs are.

I've thought about a mothers help, but 2 issues put me off a bit

• Don't they tend to be very young? I want an experienced driver, as one of the school runs involve going on a busy motorway into a major city centre.
• Once the baby is a bit older and isn't constantly breastfeeding, I want to be able to leave the baby and the toddler with the childcarer while I get some work done without interruptions, go to the gym, etc.. I think this would be too much to expect of a mothers help, and that a qualified or roundly experienced nanny in baby care would be better?

I have considered getting a nanny/housekeeper to work 7.30-6.00 daily (would this contravene working time directives or anything?) But have read on mnet that this usually ends up worst of both worlds, as the same person isn't good at both jobs....?

Wouldn't contravene working hours legislation as long as the nanny doesn't contest it. Anyone is within their rights to ask for their working hours not to exceed 48 per week. As an employer I don't think you have to oblige legally to her request.
I may be wrong.

I work as a nanny/housekeeper & have done for decades. I have glowing references to cover my last 20 years of employment which confirm I excel at both the childcare AND housekeeping roles.

We do exist, I promise.

A mothers helper may be a qualified but inexperienced nanny and they do tend to be young or a more mature granny-type.

Nanny housekeepers do exist - those who are good at both housekeeping and looking after babies are rare but you can find them. It depends what your priorities are and whether you need someone who can do the housekeeping to a very high standard or if you just want things done!

Maybe I should advertise for a nanny/housekeeper first then.
hardworkingandnice, if you don't mind me asking, do you go through agencies when you change jobs? Are there any agencies that specialise in people like you?!

All questions welcome!

I primarily go through nanny agencies & I'm afraid you find out which ones to avoid as you go along (She says diplomatically!)

I stipulate to the agent that I am a qualified nanny who takes pride in her role as a nanny first & foremost but that I get a buzz & enjoy the housework (I even starched blouses & put their bins out!) & P.A side of things too if it helps a family out.

Word-of-mouth recommendation is good but obviously quite restricted. Which part of the country are you in? You could ask contacts such as other parents as to whether they have experience of any agencies.

If I was you I would try & employ just the one person to fulfil your requests/needs. Having 2 employees means more paperwork for you, arranging logistics, making sure your all in the same loop when it comes to meal-planning, school events etc, if one is off sick or on annual leave & the other can't cover it will be a nightmare....Best avoided.

Was going to say something else but have managed to forget it - Watch this space as I will add it on when it re-enters my head.

This wasn't it but something else has sprung to mind!!

If you got someone to do just the hours you need, do you know anyone that would give them some work close-by to work that 10am-3pm stint? Entice a future employee in that way maybe?

A nanny who works for a lady at our school does 7am to 10am and then 3pm until the parents get home which has to be flexible as they are both surgeons, then normal hours 7-7 in the school holidays but they pay the nanny for 40 hours every week.
It seems to work for them, they've had the same girl for 4 years.

Thanks everyone.

I'm in Oxfordshire by the way, in case anyone is reading this thinking it sounds like a great job for them

Seriously though, we can afford to pay well, as we're sure that this is the thing that is going to make the most difference to our (and the kids) lives for the next 2 years. I just need to find something of a superwoman who can cope with our household! (Not that it seems chaotic to me, just normal )

I don't know anyone who needs the opposite hours (unfortunately, though will certainly listen out)

DH thinks we shouldn't get nanny/housekeeper as he's worried that when they go off sick (as invariably happens now and then) it will leave me with all the school runs and a pigsty of a house. He thinks I should hire a nanny, and then have a self employed cleaner coming 2-3 times a week.

But he's away most of the week, so ultimately its my decision. (He just gets to pay the wages!)

PM'd you.

Just replied!