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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Looking to find nanny - where do I start?

7 replies

tiredenough · 09/12/2013 15:36

Have no idea! Due back to work from mat leave next spring / summer; need nanny for 2 children. Child 1 currently in nursery. Where do I even start to look? Am new to the area (Berks / Bucks)

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Moggy72 · 09/12/2013 15:42

Gumtree ? Mumsnet ? Send email to other mums for recommendations ...

Flisspaps · 09/12/2013 15:47

Childcare.co.uk

nannynick · 09/12/2013 16:00

Read as much as you can about employing a nanny. Here on Mumsnet is a great place to start with that as there are many many message threads in this section of mumsnet about nannies.

To advertise for a nanny you can use internet sites like:
childcare.co.uk
nannyjob.co.uk
gumtree.com
and others.

You could use an agency, though some are better than others. Look in local Families Magazine, Family Grapevine or other free magazines aimed at local parents for adverts from nanny agencies.

Have you ruled out other forms of childcare? Childminders care for babies and nursery/school aged children. Having some insight as to why you want a nanny, may help us to help you. Nannies are an expensive childcare option even for two children, more viable with 3 or more children. So why do you want a nanny? Think about your reasons and that will help you design a great advert for recruiting a nanny. These days adverts can be rather long, not limited to just a few words like in the old days of newspaper ads. So describe what you are looking for well and you will get the right candidates.

tiredenough · 09/12/2013 16:13

Thank you everyone! Nannynick - I'm thinking nanny is what I need as we would be away every day from at least 7.30 to 6.30? So picking 2 up from nursery won't really work.
Possibly stupid question but does a childminder only work from own home & would they be able to cover these hours?
If I'm honest I have some concerns re how my older child might get bored (having been in nursery since was a baby) - what do you reckon

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nannynick · 09/12/2013 17:34

Childminders work in their own home. Some will do those hours but it does mean getting your children up and out of house early.

Will your eldest only be going for funded education hours? That would help reduce your overall cost as no care fees at nursery.

Nannies care for children of various ages and will have flexibility to do whatever your children want. Taking children swimming, to the playground, baking cakes, jigsaws, lego, reading, pretend play shop, real shopping, visiting a castle, all sorts of things depending on what activity and travel budget you give nanny.

nannynick · 09/12/2013 18:25

7.30 to 6.30 five days per week is a lot of hours, so whatever form of childcare you choose it will be costly.

I'm on Surrey/Berks border and a childminder for those hours for 2 children could easily cost £110 per day, £550 per week (£5 per hour, per child). A nanny in my area is likely to be £110 per day gross salary (£550 per week), plus employers NI of £56 a week, plus activities, mileage etc.

Weekly Expenses Kitty (for activities/outings): £5 per day, you may find the cost increases during school/nursery holidays. Based on a 48 week working year, nanny working 5 days per week, £5 x 48 weeks x 5 days= £1200 total.

Nannies Travelling Costs Whilst On Duty: If your nanny uses their own car, then employers would usually reimburse the cost at £0.45 per mile (this is known as the Approved Mileage Rate).

How many miles your nanny would do will vary. Consider the usual mileage they would do to take children to school/nursery and back, to get to toddler group, other outings. I would say that I do an average of 3000 miles a year (nannying 4 days per week in a semi-rural location). Start recording the mileage you do in your car during the week, you may be quite surprised how quickly the mileage adds up even if you are just going to the local shops, library, playground, woods, PYO farm etc.

For a 5 day per week nanny I suggest factoring in at least 120 miles a week… so £54 per week, £2592 per year (48 weeks).

While your nanny is on duty, you give them food and drink. Nannies don’t really get a lunch hour, can’t leave your children home alone. So food is seen as a sort of perk in compensation for working without a break. How much does that add to your weekly food budget… I am not sure. Nanny will eat with the children, so should eat the same thing (excluding baby food). If nanny wants something different, I feel nanny should be buying that themselves. So increase in food bill, extra £3 a day maybe? Heating/Light will also be used more as nanny is around during some of the day, so another few pounds. If comparing with a childminder/nursery, lights wouldn't be on at your home, heating may also be set low. If comparing with you staying at home, then there won’t really be much of a difference at all. There is also some additional wear and tear on the property. Shall we lump all these types of cost together… say £8 per working day. Suppose you could include cost of Employers Insurance in that (it is usually part of your home contents cover, check your policy). So 5 days x £8 = £40. 48 weeks x £40 = £1920 You will need to consider if this is realistic or not given costs of heating/lighting your home.

Nannies do light housework in addition to childcare. There are pros and cons to each type of childcare, so you need to arm yourself with as much information as possible, do some financial calculations and see what would best suit your family.

If you can find a nanny who will accept a lower salary, which certainly can happen especially for those starting out in nannying, then you can shave a £1 or £2 off the hourly salary which can make a big difference overall.

tiredenough · 09/12/2013 21:13

Really helpful - thank you NannyNick
Will have a look at the figures - really appreciate it

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