Availability of part-time nannies. Advice needed.

[LindaMcCartneySausage]

Background - I am 35wks PG with DC2. I have a DS who is about to turn 2. I will be starting a new, full time job in Jan 2014 when the new baby is approx 9 months and DS coming up 3. DH works full time in a pressured City job and often travels. My hours will be much more regular (working as an academic at local university).

We're in central London in a good area and we are trying to assess what to do for childcare. Our ideal childcare solution would be to have a (live out) nanny for 3 days a week, then use a nursery for 2 days. The reasons for the nanny/nursery combination is so that the DC's can play together/know each other, attend groups and be in their own home for part of the week. Also, DS is currently in a super nursery 2 days a week and he absolutely loves it - he is very sociable and thrives there and we wouldn't want to take him out. I am assuming - at this point - new baby will be similar.

My questions are:

Are there nannies out there who are looking for 3 days a week? How easy will it be to attract applicants?
I am a bit ignorant on tyoical rates of pay - any advice?
When should I start looking for a nanny and organising an induction if I want, say, a 2nd Jan 2014 start?
I don't know anyone after a nanny share, so would prefer to organise a part time nanny rather than depend on a nanny share - realistic?
We have no family nearby, so a nanny with flexibility if children are ill and can't go to nursery would be good. Realistic?
I think i can be flexible with which 3 days the nanny works and which are nursery days.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

I work 3 days a week and we have a part time nanny. I think a lot of parents work part time nowadays so more nannies have to take 2 jobs as a consequence

Typically £12/hour gross in London (thats what I pay).

A nanny share is where a nanny works with two families on the same days eg five days a week but caring for DCs from two families at the same time, you split her (higher) pay- its not really applicable here I think

If you get a 3 day nanny she's likely to have another job on the other two days. So its probably doubtful she could also take your DCs if they are sick. I was very glad this week that we have a nanny rather than nursery as both my DCs have had D&V so I would have had to take annual leave but my wonderful nanny was able and willing to look after them (although I've done shorter days as felt guilty)

I recruited through gumtree and she worked with us for a few months while I was on maternity leave - I found it hard coping on my own as had twins and DH works very long hours. So can't really advise on timescales. I would recommend a week's induction so that the little ones are used to her.

Good luck!

Thank you!

I am new to this, because I've been a SAHM since DS was born. Ahhh, I had assumed that nanny share was when you find a partner family and split up the working week between you - now I know! You're right - I don't want a nanny share.

Can I ask what hours your nanny does? Do you have a written contract? We were thinking of 8am-6pm, although as I will be working as an academic, I will have some days when I'm not teaching and finish earlier

She does 8am-7pm - I have an hour commute and wanted to give myself a bit of a buffer at either end of the day in case of train delays etc

Yes, we have a contract of employment - I use a payroll agency called PAYE for Nannies who charge around £130 per year to calculate wages and handle tax filings, and they also drafted the contract for us as part of their fee.

Best of luck with it all!

A contract is a legal requirement so you should either draw one up yourself or have a payroll agency.

8-6 is fairly standard and 3 days shouldn't be a problem, particularly if you can be a little bit flexible on which days. As you're offering a part-time job it's very important to negotiate a gross (before tax and employee NI) salary. A net salary with a nanny who already has another job will land you on a BR tax code which will push up your costs hugely.

There's a good basic guide here

my nanny does 10 hour days 3 days a week - so she is doing 30 hours - a lot more than some people do in a week! She does 8-6. She does ad hoc days with another family and also does babysitting so she easily does a full time working week

Agree that you should build in a commuting buffer and agree a gross salary.

We have a contract and use a payroll agency to sort that out. it's very easy. Make sure you know what you want before negotiating the contract - there are standard ones on the internet

Good luck!

Some nannies love working 3 days (I am one) though others may need 5 days so will need to get another 2 day job so fab if you can have any 3 days

Def agree a gross salary

Can you provide a car?

8-6 are lovely hours

I would start looking late aug/ early sept. many nannies have 2mths notice so this gives you a month plus to find nannies - interview - check ref. 2nd interview etc

Wow, thanks everyone for your amazingly good tips.

Fraktion - your point about gross salary negotiations is great. Thank you.

blondeshavemorefun - we can provide access to our car. We live in central London and DH and I would walk or take the bus to work - our car rarely moves during the week. TBH, we have lots of child friendly activities, parks and shops on our doorstep, so doubt any nanny will need/want to use a car much.

Walking to/from work (about 25 mins for me) should mean that even if there's a general strike, I'll be able to get home.

Any other thoughts or tips gratefully received!

Im a nanny and ill be happy to work 3 full days.

Consider how the nanny would get to your home. Have in you mind what you feel is a reasonable commute for the nanny to do, as you may get a lot of applications and it may be a factor to consider when narrowing down very similar applicants. Also consider things like parking a car if the nanny drives to work... as your car is at home most of the time is there space for nanny to park, is there a permit required (are you able to get one?)