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Original poster

Live-in nanny in 2 bedroom flat?

13 replies

Fishpond · 06/12/2011 00:57

Still evaluating all my options.

I have a 2 bed flat, decent size, although would have a room on the same floor as myself & baby, not far from my door (baby and I would share room). It would also be shared bath/shower, although there is a toilet and sink on the ground floor she could have exclusive use of.

Would this be too much of a squeeze?

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hohohoshedittant · 06/12/2011 01:06

How big would her room be? How big are communal areas? Do you have two reception rooms? It depends on how much space is available, but it does sound like it might be a bit of a squash.

Is it just you and baby or is it you, DP and baby?

mrswishywashy · 06/12/2011 06:35

It might work if you got a nanny who was self sufficient at weekends (eg able to stay with friends or out of the house a lot).

Since it a small space you would need to understand that if the baby had been up and noisy in the night and keeping nanny up that this could wear her down so could give her the option of napping during the day if baby slept and nursery duties were kept up with.

Think this would only work if sole charge nanny position unless you got a very good match of nanny. After all there is only so much time anyone wants to spend with employer.

Will it be ok and friendly to use kitchen after work hours. In one of my positions in a small flat if I went into kitchen after work hours I was made to feed very uncomfortable.

Also it would depend on what the whole job description was.

Original poster
Fishpond · 06/12/2011 23:32

Would be totally fine for nanny to have run of the house at any time! As the quarters are tight, would need someone I really get on with personality-wise also. It would be sole charge shift work, and sleeping whilst on duty would be absolutely fine, and necessary about 50% of the time as some of my hours are overnight!

Nanny would also have use of a car about 80% of time in off-hours, mobile phone provided...not sure what else I could offer that might sweeten the deal?

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Original poster
Fishpond · 06/12/2011 23:33

Oh, and I'm single, so it would just be me, nanny, and baby in house. An extra DP would make this impossible I think.

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fraktious · 07/12/2011 03:07

We do it and DH is here 75% of the time. Not ideal and we advertise it as a nanny/AP position because we want nanny capabilities but an AP relationship and AP hours (doesn't help you there!) and personality is so important.

coccyx · 07/12/2011 03:21

Rather cosy

mrswishywashy · 07/12/2011 07:16

The shift work may make it harder to find a nanny unless you know your schedule in advance.

I would put the advertisement out there to see what responses you get. I wouldn't include the use of car or mobile phone in initial ad though, but do put the maximum hours work needed per week and also include the salary.

NannyBeth · 07/12/2011 15:00

When are you looking for someone from? And where abouts are you? This us something I would definitely consider, providing I got along well with the parent :) feel free to email new (nanny.beth at hotmail.com) if you don't want to write on here!

Original poster
Fishpond · 07/12/2011 15:04

mrswishy I know the schedule a month in advance, so hopefully that would give nanny enough time to plan things around the schedule, and it's never more than 1 week at a time of overnights.

NannyBeth, I'm in the US and I wouldn't be looking until next October.

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ChippingInNeedsSleep · 07/12/2011 15:06

As I said on your earlier thread, you will find a nanny. Whether that's live in or out. Your shift patterns are given to you in good time so the nanny can still have a life.

There are definitely nannies out there that would be happy to do this as a live-in job, it's just a matter of taking the extra time to find someone you want to live with as well and who wants to be a part of your family. It needs to be someone you could actually see yourself being friends with even if she wasn't your nanny.

Good luck :)

Original poster
Fishpond · 07/12/2011 15:09

Thanks Chipping! I'm feeling a bit more positive about it all. Live-ins are not very common here but putting a small ad up detailing the shift patterns, etc has garnered me several local replies for live-out. I think I'll put up a full blown ad next May-ish hoping someone is interested!

Well, actually I guess move date would be in September, start date beginning Oct.

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ChippingInNeedsSleep · 07/12/2011 15:49

Let us know how it goes :)

Just remember to take your time and interview both as a nanny & as a flatmate :)

NannyBeth · 07/12/2011 16:11

If you're willing to consider someone on an au pair visa, I may still be interested! if you email me the details asher ill reply with my cv?

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