Would shift work appeal to a nanny at all?

[Fishpond]

Still thinking about childcare for my DC1 due next summer. I'm a single mother who works shifts, so it will be exceedingly difficult I fear to sort out childcare. I have thought perhaps doing a combination of nanny / nursery but not sure if that would work either.

I can literally be scheduled any hour of the day, any day of the week.

Would shift work be feasible for a nanny if this was their only position? I'd be worried about someone trying to combine it with another job or school, since I would have to find backup childcare during nanny's other commitments.

I would not be able to have a live-in, just not possible at all to move house and have no extra room. However, there is possible use of a car during work hours if nanny drives. It would be sole charge of 1 baby, I think I would be a very easygoing boss, could possibly provide a mobile phone full time...

Would this be appealing to any nanny at all? I realize it's difficult as far as nanny's social life, and probably out of the question for anyone married with a family of their own, but for a young single girl? If scheduled during the night, for example, nanny wouldn't be taking care of baby as such, just being in the house while baby sleeps - obviously no problem with nanny sleeping also. (While I can not provide a full-time live-in situation, if nanny were to stay overnight during a shift, I would shift baby into my room, there is a single bed in baby's room where nanny can sleep).

How much notice would you be able to give the nanny of your upcoming shifts? & how many hours pw could you guarantee?

Would be a definite 40-45 hours per week and would be able to give a month's advance notice of shifts.

Then I'd say you should be fine :) It's the not knowing or the not enough hours that make working shift hours hard for some nannies. As you say, it wont suit a lot of nannies who are in relationships with 9-5 partners or those with kids - but it will suit others who like a bit of flexibility. Also, some working hours will be sleeping hours so that's a bit of a perk if you are prepared to pay them as working hours (which you will definitely need to do when they are small).

All hours will be paid the same - so there might be one week of nothing but night shifts, paid to sleep all week

But there might be some weeks where nanny is needed 9-5, then 3-11am, then 3-11pm, then 8p-4am, etc.

So you think it could balance itself out? If possible I'd love to have the same person for childcare and would much rather have home based care for my baby than nursery if possible, just due to the quality of nurseries in my area.

Where would nanny sleep?

I was talking though this same sort of set up with online friend last year in the end she moved to get an extra bedroom
as i personally think these kind of hours have to be live in that way you can cope even if the nanny is ill or even very ill.

who is going to want to come to your house for 3am in morning she would have to stay that week and maybe the week you end at 11pm but where would you sleep then

think about either moving or changing jobs

My guess is you are getting paid a premium rate in order to do night shifts, Nanny should also get the same. The baby will wake up, you can't assume she will sleep through the night. Remember she's not in her own home, so your home would have to feel very comfortable to her - sharing a bed would be unrealistic.

There may be a lot of attachment problems involved for baby so you need to think this through really well. The impact that this has is underestimated, and we can only assume that the father will have access at some point which will mean baby has another 'significant adult' to deal with in terms of attachment.

I'm not saying it won't work, but really, what you need, is a substitute parent. I think the only thing that could work for you is that you share homes with someone like you. There are websites for this kind of thing, with lots of single mothers prepared to share a home and childcare.

You will also need a plan b incase nanny is ill as longjane has said.

there is a single bed in baby's room where nanny can sleep

When the nanny is needed to start at 3am she can come over the evening before and stay - it's really not a big deal is it. She'll have her own key so as long as she's there on time it's up to her whether she gets there earlier or arrives at 3.

If she is ill she can stay over if that makes things easier.

A nanny doesn't need to be paid a premium rate to work nights - it's swings and roundabouts. As long as both parties are happy with the package then it's fine.

There's absolutely no reason to think this will cause any attachement problems - none at all. For a child it is no different to a permanent daytime nanny, a cm or nursery.

The roster is worked out a month in advance & Fishpond sounds very easy going and upfront - there is no reason this can't work

If she is ill she can stay over? If she is ill she will be at home.

Is this your first baby?

ChippingInNeedsSleep>When the nanny is needed to start at 3am she can come over the evening before and stay - it's really not a big deal is it.

Sure the nanny could come the evening before but when would they start to be paid - from 3am, or from when they arrive that evening?

At a time agreed by both parties :)

It would be nanny's choice to either come the evening before or arrive on time to start - pay would start from when I left for work.

And no I do not get any premium rate for nights or weekends and neither would he/she, my job is salaried as would be the nanny's.

Father will not have access and I think it's quite strange of you to suggest there will be attachment issues when the nanny will only be with my child 40 hrs per week total? Same as most children in full time childcare?

Suggesting I move or change jobs is out of the question.

I am a nanny and I would like this job because I love varied hours. A month in advance would give me time to plan. Why would you get paid from earlier if you chose to go in early? that would be fine with me.

shift work suits some nannies and if always gonna be 45 or so hours a week then shouldnt be a problem but what you may find is that maybe there may be the odd day/night/evening/weekend that the nanny cant do if already got plans

not many nannys will want to get to work at 3am and easier to stay over the night before but you will need to pay someone to do this - and not from when you leave to go to work

ie my family were off skiing and leaving at 4am and gave me a choice whether to come then or sleep over, i went in at 11pm and they paid me from then

If the nanny and you both worked the night shift, who would look after the baby the following day, when I presume you will need to sleep?

moomoomie you right
nanny would come in a say 11pm OP would go to at 3am tto 11am
so would take over with baby or would need to go to sleep or do you go to bed early .
if you when to bed early the nanny would have off 11am to say 6 pm then have to back at yours for that time
what could she do in that time not much just go home to sleep really

I'd do it, in fact I went for a few like it and have a partner studying part time and working part time too. I'd prefer shift work to normal work patterns, more interesting! just make sure it's consistent in hours otherwise it's not worth doing.