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Paid childcare

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

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Original poster

Nanny, CM,or Nursery - 2 kids

27 replies

rainbowrosie · 18/09/2011 19:05

Ohh i love a good weekend of procrastination!

We have a pot of money we are spending = £1100 pm for nursery for kids amazingly in glasgow this means we could afford a nanny

1 x 7 month old
1 x 2.5yr old

I am a firm believer in baby bonding with 1-2-1 carer - and my toddler was with a CM which worked brilliantly for her

we relocated and i was heading back to work and opted for nursery for both as its one drop off and easy to cover holidays - which we did struggle with when we had a CM

but i cannot get over dropping a wee baby into nursery the babies room - i am not enjoying him being there and he is not sleeping during the day or eating his lunch very well - the "girls" are lovely and really helpful but nursery is a different pair of hands welcomin baby and its not a homely environment

i interviewed a great nanny this weekend - my thinking is she could take toddler to toddler groups - and then next august toddler gets nursery funded 15hrs anyay in nursery that will feed her primary

i am procrastinating the hell out of this as nanny somehow feels too posh!..

but actually nanny is cheaper than CM for baby and toddler in nursery & I stongly suspect it would make my life as working mum a whole lot easier

any thoughts..

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

LynetteScavo · 18/09/2011 19:07

Go with the nanny.

rubyslippers · 18/09/2011 19:08

I have a nanny for my two

It suits us - my oldest was in nursery and was very happy but just wasn't cost effective for 2 of them

A nanny isn't posh - it's practical!

LCarbury · 18/09/2011 19:16

Definitely go for the nanny in that situation - however, do make sure you check your extra costs e.g. employer's NI, food, nappies, heating, kitty for activities so you don't get a surprise when you make the switch.

lynniep · 18/09/2011 19:27

its glaringly obvious your gut feeling is the nanny!! its not posh, but who cares if it is lol! anything that makes YOUR life easier and is CHEAPER than a CM is a bonus, and if you really liked the nanny you interviews, crikey go with it!

HandsOffOurLand · 18/09/2011 19:29

Nanny. I'm amazed that you have to ask.

PorkChopSter · 18/09/2011 19:35

Go with the nanny - think about school holidays and nursery illnesses!

nbee84 · 18/09/2011 19:37

As above - do check out the extra costs.

Lots of positives to having a nanny;

You don't need to get the children up and out of the door early in the morning

Depending on finish time you could come home to children bathed and in pj's ready for quality time with you

You have more say over what your children do and when

Ditto for food

Children get to form a bond with one carer rather than several

They can make friends in the local area that they are likely to go to pre school/school with

They can have playdates at home

Nanny will do 'nursery duties' - typically childrens washing, changing their beds, tidying their rooms, which gives you more time to concentrate on the children when you are not working.

I have been a nanny for over 25 years and have only ever worked in what I would call your average home. I have friends who have worked for 'moneyed' people - those that have housekeepers, gardeners, several exotic holidays a year and a helipad at the end of the garden but I don't think these are the norm.

nannynick · 18/09/2011 19:46

Is the nanny cheaper... could you give some figures? I'm surprised you can find a nanny who would cost you (as the employer) less than £1100 pcm.

If a nanny is cheaper, then go with having a nanny. However I am wondering if you have worked out the costs correctly.

usingapseudonym · 18/09/2011 20:13

I'm also impressed the nanny is cheaper as I don't think it would be in our case. Especially once your toddler is funded for nursery as then you will be paying nanny fees for that 15 hours.

I would have thought a CM would have been cheaper than a nanny ever time....

However if I had the money I'd love a nanny!

nannynick · 18/09/2011 20:14

Just done a rough spreadsheet to work out costings. Don't know what hours your nanny would be doing, or how much per hour you would be paying... so have based on 10 hours per day, 5 days per week, at NMW of £6.08 gross per hour (the NMW level as of Oct 2011 for someone aged 21+). Estimated activities expenses of £5 per day (which you may feel is too high, about right, or too low).

See Spreadsheet - I make it around £1525 per month.
That is quite a bit more than the £1100 you are currently paying nursery.

What hours of care are you needing, how many days per week, what is a reasonable activities budget per day? Would your nanny be doing any travel during their working hours?

dottyhenson · 18/09/2011 20:21

I too live in Glasgow & have a nanny- I have 3 under 4 & work full time- it is fab & makes my life much easier. I have had various other forms of childcare & this is def the most cost effective for us & time effective ( I don't have to drop off or pick up so my time with the kids is proper time iyswim) ps I am definitely not posh & do not live in a posh part of time

dottyhenson · 18/09/2011 20:22

'town'

nannynick · 18/09/2011 20:33

dottyhenson - how much are you finding employing a nanny in Glasgow is costing you, once taking account of all costs?

Original poster

rainbowrosie · 19/09/2011 18:53

thank you for the postings!! sorry not to have replied earlier busy day in office

ohhhh nanny nick that is interesting

I think i am paying the nanny gross £8ph - 4 days per wk = 32hrs pr wk

8hrs per day 8.30 to 4.30 = 64 per day /£256 per wk/ £1024 pmonth + employers NI (left my figures at work

i was thinking two toddler groups per wk so £10 max (normally they are really cheap like £12 per 3 months)

tank of petrol - instead of mileage every time / so cash float

How is my maths

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 19/09/2011 19:57

guess nicks workings out were prob on a 10/12hr day and maybe more than £8gross

having a nanny isnt posh - its a way to make your life less stressful and for your children to be happy while you work

amazed that a nanny costs less then cm/nursery

NoNoNoMYDoIt · 19/09/2011 20:02

her NI etc will be roughly a month's salary every 3 months on top of her pay. also don't forget her expenses, petrol (if driving) etc.

NoNoNoMYDoIt · 19/09/2011 20:03

mileage rate reimburses her for wear and tear on car etc- tank of petrol would not cover that.

Original poster

rainbowrosie · 19/09/2011 20:46

thank you for all your posts very insightful

last question - nanny wants to be paid cash in hand & says this has been standard practise thru her 18yrs and lots of nannies do this

obviously it helps her and us financially but is illeagal i think

how does this expose us / her in terms of risk

her sick pay would be at risk
no maternity pay as she is older woman
NI contributions would not be paid into her pension

anything else

OP posts:

nbee84 · 19/09/2011 21:20

Yes, 100% illegal!

It does go on but if you are caught out, you as the employer are liable to a £3k fine and back pay of any tax.

Blondeshavemorefun · 20/09/2011 00:00

AVOID her at all costs - or will be a huge cost to you with a fine and even possible prison sentence

no wonder she is happy to accept £8gross as its not gross to her iyswim

Original poster

rainbowrosie · 20/09/2011 09:03

ok good thoughts - i am going to back to the nanny and have a talk about going through payroll and legitimising it and see what this means in terms of pay.

interesting process
thank you

OP posts:

Original poster

rainbowrosie · 20/09/2011 12:54

So that was interesting - Once i called to say i wanted to go thru payroll services we could no longer afford her services which would have been £11.50 gross...phr

which obviously if i had the money i would increase her salary

interesting....so onwards and upwards to recruit someone amazin at gross 8 prhr...

i wonder if its possible

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 20/09/2011 13:38

Well £8gross is £2over nmw so should be able to find someone but they may be young/less experienced

Would you consider a nwoc to keep costs down?

Original poster

rainbowrosie · 20/09/2011 19:22

hi blondeshavemorefun - what is a NWOC - is that relative of ewok! :)

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 20/09/2011 19:26

nanny with own child :)

generally they earn 20% less then the average of your area

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