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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

Settling in period as a nanny

21 replies

Nannyto2 · 02/08/2012 20:09

Hi,
I have my settling in period in 2weeks time for 2 weeks. I am confused about what I should be paid for this? My other nanny friends have told me different things.
One said - if you requested it it should be unpaid
Another said - You should be paid half your normal rate
3rd said - you should be paid full amount

Really confused!! please can some one help!!!!

thanks

OP posts:

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nbee84 · 02/08/2012 20:26

What is your settling in period?

Are you starting the job and working your normal hours but with Mum around? Or are you going in for an hour or two here and there so that the children get used to you/get to know you?

If the 1st I would expect to be paid my normal wage. If I had agreed to the second and was working short hours, the least I would expect would be to be paid in full for the hours I have worked.

Original poster

Nannyto2 · 02/08/2012 20:29

I will be doing 9-4 every day, some days Mum will be around all day, some days she'll be out for a few hours and other days she'll out all day.
I am starting the job in Sept so these are 2 'extra' weeks

OP posts:

Musomathsci · 02/08/2012 20:32

I think you should be paid the full rate, whether Mum is there for part of the day or not. The settling in period is for the benefit of the children, to get used to you, and you have to be there for all those hours, so why should it be any different to starting the job? You do need to clarify the position with your employer now, before actually turning up. Much more difficult to negotiate once you start - you are tacitly agreeing to their terms just by being there, so do get this straight first!
Good luck, hope the job works out well.

nbee84 · 02/08/2012 20:43

Will 9-4 be your regular hours come September or are they shorter hours for those 2 weeks?

Original poster

Nannyto2 · 02/08/2012 20:44

My hours in Sept will be 7:30 - 5:30 so they will be longer.

OP posts:

nbee84 · 02/08/2012 20:45

If I had agreed to the second and was working short hours, the least I would expect would be to be paid in full for the hours I have worked.

Just to clarify - even if Mum is there they are still working hours and you should be paid for them.

nbee84 · 02/08/2012 20:47

Some would say you should get your normal weekly wage for the settling in fortnight. Others that you should be paid for the shorter hours.

I don't know anyone that would say no pay or half pay unless you were only visiting for an hour or two.

letseatgrandma · 02/08/2012 20:47

Have they asked you for this period or have you requested it to get to know the children. they might be reluctant to pay for 2 weeks' childcare for something they don't need.

Original poster

Nannyto2 · 02/08/2012 20:49

It was a mutal agreement to have the 2 weeks. The youngest is only 8months old so we both felt i needed time to 'bond' with baby before starting the job. I already know the older child as have working in the preschool he attended.

OP posts:

SkiBumMum · 02/08/2012 20:54

My new (first) nanny is currently "settling in". We've done 2 half day sessions for which I have paid her in full (cash net rate as payroll not yet set up - ie as if babysitting). When I start work I'm planning on a few short days, she will do her normal salaried hours. Two weeks sounds like a long time to me! Anyway, do clarify as communication is key to a successful relationship!

Original poster

Nannyto2 · 02/08/2012 20:57

We agreed two weeks so I could spend a reasonable amount of time with both boys and see how their routines work. We also agreed two weeks so Mum could catch up on work (shes a teacher) so that she would have the childcare she needed to do that

OP posts:

neverquitesure · 02/08/2012 21:02

We had something vaguely similar with our nanny a couple of years back. We recruited her whilst I was pregnant with our second child with the plan that she would start when the new baby was about 6 weeks old and that I would return to work (from home) 2 weeks after that.

We invited her round to see our DD after she was born and she popped in, had a coffee & cuddle then spent 20 minutes with our DS (who was 18 months old). We didn't pay her for this, but there were no set times and she did not have to attend. It was purely an invitation.

When she started we planned a 2 week settling in period (she only worked 2 1/2 days per week, hence so long) during which she did pretty much as you describe - shadowed me, visited out usual haunts and got to know the children. During the second week she was alone with them (bar DD's feedings) for at least half the time. We paid her the normal amount for this, although strictly speaking it was more of an induction than a trial/probationary period.

IMO they should pay you at least pro rata for this settling in period you describe.

letseatgrandma · 03/08/2012 09:27

Why on earth didn't you discuss salary when you decided this induction though?

Original poster

Nannyto2 · 03/08/2012 14:17

We did discuss this then I had a text the other night and she asked me to find out the norm.

When we discussed it we agreed it would paid but not how much

OP posts:

nannynick · 03/08/2012 15:07

Norm for me is a day settling in at most. There does not need to be a long handover period in my view. Shorter days at first fine but you are working from day 1 so should be salary as per contract. Up to parents if they want you to arrive late, leave early, they still pay though as per contracted hours.
How many nannies can afford to have lower pay during first few weeks employment? Not many in my view.
Nannies are not paid hourly, it's an annual salary based on contracted number of hours per week.
How far have you got with paperwork? Draft contract? Given in your P45, or completed a P46?

Notyouraveragenanny · 03/08/2012 15:09

I'd suggest working out your hourly rate from what you expect to be on full time when you start the job and just be paid by the hour for those two weeks (assuming you'll have a monthly/weekly salary once you start).

HolyOlympicNamechangeBatman · 03/08/2012 15:49

If it's at their request then they should pay full wages.

If it's at your request then I would agree with your friend that they don't need to pay.

When I started my current job I had a 2 day settling in period with mum showing me their local park/playgroups, introducing me to nannies in the area, showing me their routine etc. They paid full wages for this.

Before this, I came for a day at my request. I wanted this because taking the job meant relocating across the country and I wanted to be absolutely sure that they were the right family for me. They didn't pay me for this and I didn't expect them to.

Blondeshavemorefun · 03/08/2012 18:29

tbh i havnt had settling in periods , normally get thrown in the deep end (which i prefer) and easier as generally kids play up when parents are there and esp if dont know you

but 2 weeks is a very long time imho

but yes if you are working then you need to be paid

JustFabulous · 03/08/2012 18:41

The fact that she asked that you find out the norm sounds like she was trying to see if she could get away with not paying.

I went into one family for a few hours to spend time there and even though the baby slept for almost all the time they still paid me full whack.

2 weeks settling in sounds like a let-us-see-if-I-ca-n-wing-this-and-not-pay if it doesn't work out.

All that is needed is a couple of hours pre starting where you chat some more about what is going to happen, the children see you and then you get on with the job.

A contract usually states a trial period with a set notice period - ie one months trial with a weeks notice to be given, and then full notice of 3 months once the job is accepted.

thinkfast · 05/08/2012 15:32

My nanny asked to be paid an hourly rate for a short settling in period and work shorter days for that time. The hourly rate was slightly more than her salary would be per hour but as she worked shorter days I paid her less. It is the same rate as she would charge me for evening babysitting

StillSquiffy · 05/08/2012 17:44

Are you new to nannying? If so that could explain a longer settling in period, but 2 weeks is v long. I can only imagine she is plannign on utilising oyu fully after a couple of days.

I don't think it odd for the mum to ask what the norm was. I certainly wouldn't know. I would think it reasonable for you to ask for 70% of normal wage as you will be working 70% of a normal day.

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