Trying to decide between nanny and CM

[Dancergirl]

I posted earlier about needing after school care one day a week as I'm starting a college course. I originally wanted a nanny to take care of the dds at home but you lovely mnetters advised me to be a bit flexible.

Anyway after not wanting a CM, I've found a lovely one! What made me consider her was the fact she has 2 little girls who my dd3 really liked when we went to visit and I think she would love going to her house once a week. But now I have also found a nanny who we also met over the weekend who happens to have exactly the day free that I need.

So I now have a dilemma.

Pros of CM - dd3 would be VERY happy having 2 friends to play with once a week, she gives them supper and dd2 liked her too.

Cons of CM - they wouldnt be able to have a friend over on that day and other days are pretty busy. Also, dd1 who has just started secondary school needs to get to ballet by 5.30pm. The only way to do this is she'd have to take all her ballet stuff to school, get a different school coach on that day and go straight to ballet. I would have to make her a packed dinner and she wouldn't get home till 8.30pm.

If I had the nanny, dd1 could come home first, get changed, have a quick bite to eat and the nanny could take her to ballet.

Nanny works out a bit cheaper than the CM but not much in it.

My instincts are leaning slightly towards the CM but it would be difficult for dd1.

Which do you feel would be more reliable?

Is DD1 committed enough to ballet to do that? Are you happy with that plan? If the answer to either of those is no, then you should go with the nanny option.

I think both are v reliable, possibly the CM even more so as both her and her dh are CMs so there is a bit of back up in case one of them is ill.

Dd1's ballet is a big part of her life, she does 3 classes that night and as long as she can find somewhere to keep her bag at school, she doesn't mind too much. But I feel bad for her having to lug all her stuff (plus wet swimming things once a fortnight) and then not home till late.

Have you thought about what would happen of any of your children were ill and off school?

I'd imagine nanny would still have them at home where as cm wouldn't

Yes thats very true and the nanny said she could pick them up early from school if they got ill during the day as she wouldn't have any other jobs that day. Sounds like the nanny is more practical doesn't it?

As you have 3dc's I would go for the nanny as more flexible and also easier if one of your 3 is ill and during winter months and swimming coughs and colds will happen

Can you use both, or does that work out too expensive?

I've decided to go for the nanny mainly because it's better for dd1. Plus it's likely the CM will still have space on that day if it doesn't work out.

Should I have a contract with the nanny? I asked her and she said its up to me.

Yes, you have to have what ACAS call a Written Statement detailing your agreement with your nanny.

There is an example contract here though do adapt it to your needs. Make sure you put in the right amount of holiday entitlement... minimum holiday entitlement is 5.6 weeks x hours worked per week. Bank holidays can be included in that, if they fall on a working day and you need the nanny not to work that day.

Depending on pay amount and what other income the nanny has (such as from other jobs, or a pension) then you need to look at if you need to operate PAYE. Info from HMRC about PAYE. You can use a payroll company to help with producing payslips if you wish, such as www.payefornannies.co.uk