Nanny share, what would you recommend?

[SleeplessInSuburbiton]

Would appreciate some input from nannies who may have experienced something similar. We are about to start a nannyshare, and have a choice of family to share with. DC is 15 months, and other child is either nearly 2, or 6 months old. Both families are lovely and close. Will speak to our nanny for her input too, just interested in your experiences as this would be new to her too.

Are any of the three families planning another child? The situation could be very different in less than a year. As an off-the-wall suggestion, if all three families are close (in every sense) could you manage with two nannies between the three of you? (You would have to arrange this carefully to avoid having to meet the regulatory requirements for 'childcare on domestic premises').

Do you want more baby things at your home, or would you rather see the end of that once your own child/children have outgrown?

Would you like someone else's child to try potty training before your own child/children try it? Possibly means more mess at your house earlier on but also means your child/children have someone to model from - if the older child gets the concept reasonably quickly.

What happens in a year or so time? The 2 year old becomes a 3 year old, who is then eligible for pre-school education. How would that affect the share?

What about the parents involved... how stable do you feel their jobs are? Do you all get along equally well, or do you really like one family a little better than the other? Which family is more like your family - same expectations regarding raising children?

I have done 3 sharesand someworked better than others.

You need to be totally honest as it is amazing how many times a mother will say she will stay off if her child is ill but then send them in reality.

You need to have many conversations about money and who will pay for what. Some families work itout the the nth degree as to who had the most nappies and use of double buggy.

You will have 3 sets of people wanting a say on holidays.

I would prefer to share with an older child rather than a younger one especially at the age that your dc is. At 15mths he developes his language and social skills and i think he will benefit a lot from the 2 yo.

On the other hand you must be prepared that the 2yo might push/hit so it will depend on how good and experienced the nanny is and how similar to you the other family is.

My first priority would be which family is in the same line with me re food, activities, discipline etc. aswell as similar aproach to employment issues. Also the job of the parents, holidays, stability. Second would be the age of the other child. And then the practical issues like the house, space, distance etc