Talk to me about nanny share - stupid questions from a nanny novice!

[Littlepaleale]

Planning my return to work when maternity leave with DC2 ends.

Nanny share is looking like a good option but not sure if it's possible - I've found another family with similar needs. Hoping for some mumsnet wisdom to help me understand a little more!

How many children can a nanny look after? Between us, we'll have 2 DCs of reception age children that will need dropping off at school (hopefully the same school, but possibly adjacent schools) and 2 babies around 10 months old. Does that sound feasible?

What's the going rate for a nanny in South London (zone 3)? Does it change depending on how many children they're looking after? Gross pay and what it would end up costing us.

Any recommendation for good websites to learn more about nanny share and potentially find a nanny?

Thanks in advance!

A nanny can normally look after up to 6 children. 4 is a lot, but fine (I currently look after four). School time will be fine, you may want to think about school holidays, maybe making use of playschemes/school clubs to make it a bit easier.

A nanny share often pays slightly higher than a single family, so you're probably looking at about £14ph gross.

Use MrA's [http://www.mranchovy.com/calc/paye201314 calculator] to work out what it will cost you including employers NI etc.

There are lots of practical considerations, for example;

holidays - are you and the other family going to take holidays at the same time?

sickness - what if one child is sick?

location - whose house, when? What if your child damages something at the other house? Who is providing food, nappies etc.?

practicalities - does the nanny need to drive? Do you have a car that fits all the children? Do you have the right car seats in the right car? Do you have a double buggy? Are the DC's on roughly the same routine? What about afterschool clubs? Activities for the younger ones?

The key to a successful nanny share is being very clear at the start. Write things down. Have a contract between the two families as well as with the nanny.

calculator

link

Lots to think about. Thanks so much Outraged for detailed response.

But I would say that you can find a nanny prepared to work for £8 so much better to have one (slightly less experienced) person just looking after your 2 kids than someone great looking after 4. I did a share when I had 2 and the other person had one but when she had her 2nd we decided it was just too much for one nanny.

You found a good nanny for £8ph gross in London?!

I am sure you can. I currently pay £10 an hour, but we have had same nanny for 10 years. I know people who pay £8 but maybe less "good". However, I wouldn't be happy with even a really good nanny looking after 4 kids, esp 2 babies - and very few nannies would be prepared to do it. Might work if had extra help in the afternoon - maybe could find sometime to help then.

LOts of complications with 4 kids - eg if one is ill, as you say in the car, taking different holidays.

Dropping off at adjacent schools might be ok but what about picking up - that's usually at an exact time. I think the reception kids would need to be at the same school.

What do you think families with 4 or more kids do?! Loads of nannies and childminders look after four children at a time.

My charges go to a school where there is another school right next door, they stagger the finishing time, so pick-up may not be a problem.

Thanks all! Food for thought. Unusually, work hours in both families mean that we could each cover our own after school pick ups.