Nanny sharing

[NeedANannyShare]

I'm sorry if this has been done lots on here before, but I'm looking for a bit of advice/other people's experience of nanny sharing. I've never employed a nanny before and am on maternity leave with my first baby. Original idea was to find a nursery/childminder

A friend suggested a nanny share yesterday and we're meeting tomorrow to see if we can work out details so that it suits us both. She had two children, a nearly-3 year old and a baby of similar age to mine - babies would be almost a year by the time the arrangement commences.

Neither of us works full time, between us we would have almost a full time position, sometimes just with her two, sometimes just with my one, sometimes with all 3 together.

Assuming we use approximately equal hours how would the fees normally be split between us? 50:50 or 66:33 to account for her 2 versus my 1? Am interested in what has worked for others.

Can anyone who has used/worked as a nanny share suggest any issues that we might need to consider before we start. I'd rather have any potential difficulties either between us as parents or between parents and nanny raised at the beginning than having to deal with them on the fly.

Many thanks

Not done it with different aged children, but some things to think about from a parent's perspective:

• which house would you expect the children to be based at and when;
• how would you handle drop off and pick ups;
• are either of the babies in any form of routine, and can it gel;
• what happens about food? Presumably the nanny uses food from the house where the children are. Are both parents happy with this. Is there a financial impact;
• what about holidays? Do you have to agree a certain amount between the two sets of parents (bear in mind the nanny will also expect to choose some, usually half);
• what happens if one child is ill?
• what happens if the nanny is ill on an all three day (more informal this one, but would you expect that one of you would take the day off rather than both);
• do your hours roughly match up. It can be awkward if the non-resident child is 'hanging around' once the parents of the other child are home;

-what about activities. The lot of a second child tends to be a fair bit of trailing around after the older child's activities. Are you ok with this for your baby?

I'll have a think about more questions.

I would assume the fee split would be roughly 50/50, perhaps with a slight skew for her two. I wouldn't think it would go as far as 66/33. There are also tax issues to think about as to who pays what- which I never had to deal with (our nanny 'share' was actually a nanny who brought her own baby) but I am sure people can give you the heads up on.

Oooh, sorry, missed a biggy. Do your parenting styles match enough for it to work. It will not work if one set of parents expects the nanny to be firm and discipline with the naughty step (say) and the other wants unconditional parenting.

Final one, what about subsequent pregnancies? Obviously can't be formally planned for, but if you have another in a year or two, what would you want to happen?

Have you looked at nannyshare.co.uk? Lots of helpful tips.

It can work brilliantly - but don't overcomplicate arrangements.

We did it from 12-19m (then moved away). We always went to their house and that worked well for us. They had bigger garden, playroom etc. We didn't get to sample nanny's fab cooking as a result! We paid slightly more than our percentage share to reflect the fact the other family paid for day long electricity, heating, Employer's liability insurance, petrol, car insurance etc.

Thanks, that's really helpful. Lots to take into consideration. Still appreciate any further comments anyone has