Very basic and probably stupid question about nanny rates in London

[emeraldgirl1]

... how much are they?!

We are moving to either Wimbledon or Richmond/Twickenham area so not central London.

I work from home (and keep being told how lucky I am to have a job that will combine well with a baby, as if I am going to be able to work manically to my very tight deadlines with a newborn!!!) and because I am freelance and have no maternity cover I am desperately going to need to get back to some kind of working day as soon as reasonable after my first baby is born. I have a helpful (ish) mum and MIL but v much doubt they will be able to help out for more than a day every couple of weeks, which isn't really going to solve the problem.

Anyone know how much a nanny-share might cost, ideally 2.5 to 3 days a week, and probably looking at around 9 to 3pm each day.

I am only 16w so may be crazy to be investigating this already and hate the thought I'm jinxing anything :( But we do need to start budgeting and saving if necc.

Given that it is part time and a nanny share I'd guess £14+ gross an hour.

Thanks Rubirosa - do you think it would be less per hour if I offered more hours? Do nanny-shares cost more or less? Please forgive utter ignorance.

Nanny-shares pay the nanny more but obviously cost less to each family.

9am-3pm might be a bit of an awkward time for a nanny as they're used to working 10-12 hour days. It might appeal to someone with an afterschool job, or a nanny with school-aged children of her own though. Alternatively think about whether you could offer 2 days 8am-6pm so someone with a 3 day job might be interested.

Oh, that's really good advice, thank you! Hadn't really thought about the specifics of what hours would work better so you get a greater choice of nannies. I can be flexible-ish on exact times and days so I guess that would help.

Do you mean a nanny share? This is where a nanny looks after children from two families at once. I would say it would be almost impossible to find another family to do this with for only 2 or 3 short days a week.

Or do you mean a part time nanny? So she works for you 2 or 3 days a week for whatever hours you agree, and works for another family (or not) the other 2 or 3 days a week.

I'm also freelance and use a childminder who looks after my DS from 9-3 two days a week. She doesn't look after any other children during this time as she mainly does before/after school care so it's pretty much the same as a nanny (apart from me having to drop and pick up from her house). I found when I advertised that a lot of childminders had availability for these sorts of hours.

CMs also have the advantage that they're self employed, so you don't have the hassle of sorting out their tax/NI and being an employer.

Hi this is the kind of job I would be interested in when I return to work next year after maternity leave ( with or without bringing my baby) I have just done some playing with mr anchovy tax calculater and if you could offer say 7 hours a day at £12 gross a hour so the cost to you including the employers ni would be £267 then it is def something I think a few nannies would be interested in. It would also help if you could be flexible on days so that the nanny had the chance to find a two longer day job to fit if they needed to.

Thanks eeyore - you don't happen to be based out of SW London, do you?!! Yes, I am able to be v flexible on days so I think that will help me out.

schmalex - wow that would really work for me - hadn't thought about the CM option as not sure I want my vv young baby to be with a CM but if the other kids being minded were after school that might really work.

MrAnchovy - I love your name. Thanks for the correction, yes I think I mean a part-time nanny!!! Need to get my terminology right... :)

I live in Putney and pay my lovely nanny £13.50 gross per hour. She works 2 days a week, and does other stuff the other days, ie studying...

Hi emeraldgirl1 yes I am, live in Surrey not far from where you are looking to move to, so if you are interested please do contact me at [email protected]. I would be looking to return to work from the end of April next year but that is flexible.

I think a 9-3 job could work v well for someone with school children ( so they start 9.15 after dropping own children at school and leave just before pick up)

Or a nanny with own child. Many nannies will take a small pat it in exchange for bringing child to work with them. Shorter hours may work better for them as they have time alone with own child after. Although maybe 2 long days may work better than 3 short as people can find work easier on the other 3 ( 8-6pm)