Someone reassure me, please?

[MrsDoolittle]

Hi Ladies. I'm almost 7 months pregnant. I alos have a beautiful 19 month old toddler who currently goes full-time to nursery and loves it.
My plan is to return to work next September 3 days a week. What do you think are the chances of me being able to get a nanny to look after both children at home for 3 days a week? Maybe someone starting when I am on maternity leave in the summer so that we could get to know each other?
I do not know of anyone with a nanny so I have no idea how it all works. I would really appreciate some advice.

No advice MrsD - just wanted to say hello

Thanks

ummm ..you're thinking "who the hell is HaveaMerryChristmas" aren't you?

Still, at least this bumping the thread for you!

..do you know someone at your current Nursery who might be interested in a nanny share?

Yes I am and I don't really know anyone at nursery
Actually, I'm a bit miserable really I need to take more time out for dd

hi mrsD didnt know you were pg congratulations!

have you considered taking both children to the nursery? sounds really good

sorry, dont have any advice about nannies, just wanted to say congratulations xx

It's Hmc!

Sorry to hear you're a bit miserable (probably quite a bit to do with pregnancy hormones?) - you are taking more time out for dd aren't you (i.e. planning to reduce your hours to a 3 day week)- or do you mean you need to do that right now?

Just wondering why you might have discounted a childminder for 3 days per week as an alternative to the nanny?

Hi HMC - I should have guessed!!
HI nailpolish!
Yes I'm pregnant and miserable, maybe it's winter and I'm just pissed off. I have so much to do before maternity leave and I'm not getting on with dh and I've got too much to do and dh is pissing me off and I'm fed up...... you know
I phoned the nursery this morning and asked what it would cost for two at nursery 3 days a week and it will be horrifically expensive. However, should we stretch to it, I am worried about leaving dh with the children first thing in the morning as I will have to leave so early.
I'm just thinking I would feel so much better if I thought someone could come in and take over from me.

How early is early?

Maybe 7.30

Maybe earlier

I think a nanny might cost you more than the nursery. Having said that a nanny, if she is nice, might help with things round the house and will look after the children if they are ill.

Which area are you in?

im with HMC why not have a childminder for those days for both children? it would probably work out cheaper than for a nanny or a nursery surely? Plus some CM's can be quite flexible with hours.

Hi MrsD. I have two kids DD 2 1/2 yrs and DS 6 months. We have a live in nanny I can assure you it is cheaper than what the nursery would charge for of them full time.

For DD's first year we used a childminder. And while she was wonderful I still had to do all of the packing up taking her to the childminder, picking her up, etc. because DH worked in Ireland all week. So when DD was about 12 months old I nearly had a nervous breakdown (not really but my stress level was way beyond my comfort limits) so I up and declared we were getting a live-in nanny. Any almost two years and three nannies later, I highly recommend it. I don't even have to dress the kids in the morning. And when I get home they have been fed and bathed and back into pyjamas. It's lovely. I definitel recommend life with a nanny. She is the thread in the seems that hold our house together. Couldn't live without her. :-)

Oh, and to answer your question you can definitely get a nanny 3 days a week. Some nannies like to work part time because they have kids of their own, and some do ananny share (work for you 3 days and someone else the other two days).

A live-out nanny costs more than a live-ion nanny. So if you have an extra room, you can save a bit.

Agree with Uwila, you can find nannies who will work a 3 day week. I'm in Surrey and £70 net per day is typical cost for 10 hours per day. Not sure what total cost would be, currently probably around £281 per week (for 3 days), once you add on tax, NI, employers NI etc. Then add some more for expenses - perhaps say £300 as a guide. Compare that with nursery care cost... though nannies do tend to care for ill children - where as a childminder or nursery won't, so that can be a good advantage.

If you can get Childcare Vouchers from your employer, then you can now use those to pay a nanny (the nanny needs to be approved) - so that can help with the cost.

For 3 days, I expect a live-out nanny would be best. Where abouts do you live? You location can be important in finding a nanny.

You can get a good nanny for less than those prices if:

1- you avoid agencies
2- you accept experience rather than proper nanny qualifications (for example someone who has worked in a nursery)
3- you are willing to hire from outside the UK (especially ascension countries)
4- you are able and willing to offer a live-in position
5- Don't pay net, Pay gross. There is no reason not to.

It means you do a lot of your own leg work in terms of checking references, interviewing, posting the ad, etc.

Uwila, as usually very good advice.

Perhaps consider getting a nanny with a child of their own. This effectively is a nanny share and therefore helps with the costs. Other things to think abot, perhaps look to see if you can get any help from the government with your costs.

Thanks Uwila, this does seem like very sound advice. Unfortunately we don't have enough space for a live in nanny.
How do I go about finding one to come in?
I phoned dd's nursery yesterday with a tentative question. They told me that it would cost me £920 a month for tow to go three days a week.

Where do you live Mrs. Doolittle?

try www.sharingcare.co.uk. Also have a look round www.nannyjob.co.uk. And since you are new to the whole nanny/employer game, have a look at www.nannytax.co.uk. Also there is a good book called "The Good Nanny Guide" which I think is a good reference for the beginner.

And of course Mumsnet is a minefield of experience. There are quite a few nanny employers on here.

I live very close to Newbury. I have already registered with sharing care, but so far the suggestions are all too far away.

Have you tried posting an ad on nannyjob? I think you have to pay for that now, but it's not too bad... a tenner or so I think.

Also, you could start a chat on nannyjob and see what nannies think you should offer. But, of course, keep in mind that they have a vested interest in keeping the pay a bit inflated above what I would consider to be the market rate. Ooooo they are going to be mad at me for saying that.

www.gumtree.com is another site you could try. Do you know anyone with a nanny, they may recommend a friend.

I used agencies when I was looking, I found it useful to interview a few people to get comfortable abut the whole thing. It is very different to interviewing/hiring in professional life! Ultimately I found a perfect nanny through the park noticeboard (have I already said that to you on your other thread - sorry) - or ask other mums with nannies in your area how they found their nannies. I think nanny wages have come down as birth rate is falling and accession state girls will often work for less, but today a returning mum told me she was paying £11 an hour net in S London so I could be quite wrong!!