Live-in nannies: will you help me furnish this room?

[squirreled]

I am looking for our first nanny for my son. I am hoping for someone young and friendly rather than a more experienced nanny. I would like her to be someone who will stay a few years and become part of the family.

With this in mind I am thinking about how best to furnish our spare room so that I can show it to potential candidates. It is a fairly small double bedroom (10ft by 12ft) with a fitted wardrobe and a nice view over the garden. It is next to a bathroom which the nanny can have for her sole use. What I am thinking is that if I swap the kingsize bed for a "small double" like this one in white I will be able to fit in a small sofa/"loveseat" and a coffee table and hopefully an arm chair. I am going to put a TV with sky on the wall. I had been hoping that I would also be able to fit in a small desk or dressing table but I think that will be difficult.

It is never going to be palatial but it has been recently decorated and with decent-quality furniture I hope it will be pleasant.

Could I ask any live - in nannies out there if they would be happy with that? In particular, would the small double bed be ok? When I was a child our lovely live-in nannies had a single bed and so more space for other furniture, but I suspect that would not be acceptable nowadays? Also, would you prefer a desk to the sofa?

I would like to make this as happy a position for someone as possible so I would be really grateful for any thoughts or suggestions.

If it makes a difference we are in London and the position will be officially sole charge of my baby son although I am likely to be around a bit as I am self-employed. We are expecting to pay around £350 to £400 a week net.

Thanks in advance!

Squirrelled

As a live in nanny - I like to have at least a chair and somewhere to put my lamp next to the bed. I wouldn't need an sofa and a chair as I am happy to sit on my bed as are my friends.

I also like the expedit 4 square so that I can store books, dvds, shoes etc in it either using the boxes or as an open storage unit.

Unless she is going to be studying, I wouldn't worry about the desk. A sofa may be a good idea incase she has a friend come to stay?

I would also prefer a bigger bed to more floor space!

All that plus the pay makes the job sound amazing, I bag you're going to get LOADS of responses, well done :)

*bet not bag

Thank you both, that is all really helpful to know. And I hope so, WLondonNanny!

You sound lovely so hope you can find someone that respects that and you can build a lovely relationship with for a few years.

You could always wait until you are interviewing the nannies and tell them your ideas and even wait until you've found the nanny and then she could decide.

I think that bed would be plenty big enough and for me I'd prefer the chair, bedside tables and expedit unit, although it depends on what storage is like in the closet.

Also things to keep in mind is if she is able to have drinks in her room or use of kitchen after off hours because this is where I feel really uncomfortable if I feel like I'm intruding on my off hours.

I'd go for drawers/dressing table/desk/storage over a sofa and an armchair, one or the other will be fine. I also wouldn't bother with a coffee table. I think space is important. I think waiting until you find someone and then furnishing it to their preference is the best way though.

I think coffee table and small sofa/ chair is nice. At weekends and in evenings many want to read/ study/ tv/ Skype etc in room alone and it's nice to have a small living area instead of just bed

Bed size fine

Storage sounds enough with built in wardrobes

Add bedside table and lamp

Add throw on bed

Add a little mini fridge/ kettle area if poss. Even just on a shelf. Being able to make a cup of tea in peace will appeal to many. As much as they will learn to love your little one, its nice on a Sunday morning if they can do that alone without having to be social to baby ( because they aren't exactly going to just ignore baby as its weekend)

Think of a hotel room for example. Ie everything for comfort life in one room

OP... I really don't want to come across as critical but couldn't let this go! (lighthearted) but have you read your post? I am sure that you didn't mean exactly what you wrote. You come across as such a caring person. I understand that you want a younger nanny. But you imply that an older experienced nanny will not be as friendly or want to become part of the family or stay long with you. I can assure you that in my long career as a nanny I have indeed been part of the family and am still in touch with most of my x charges. I have stayed 3+ years with all of them, till they moved or my charges started school. My last nanny job, I stayed 4 years and I am 50+. Please don't be offended I just don't want you to rule out about 1/3rd of the nanny population!! One of my bosses had a choice between me and a younger girl...I became like the big sister she never had and we both cried when she moved. I REALLY loved her DCs and still see them a few times a year.

Oh no! Marylou62 that was bad phrasing on my part, I did not mean to say that experienced/ older is the opposite of friendly! I mentioned the age thing only because I thought a more experienced nanny might want better accommodation than we can offer. I have been hearing intimidating stories of self-contained bedsits with their own kitchens. I shall be very happy if I am wrong and we find someone like you! I see how it came across though, so apologies.

So it seems people are divided on the great sofa issue but I really like the idea of waiting til we find someone and getting her involved in furnishing the room - I don't know why that didn't occur to me! Also I like the idea of fitting in a kettle - I can very much see the advantage of her being able to have a cup of tea in peace. Thank you all for your help - and it is strangely touching to be told I sound nice on the internet so thank you for that as well!

So glad!! yes waiting to go shopping with your new nanny is a good idea. I did that 30+ years ago on my first job! Must admit that I haven't been live in for years as I have my own family. And you do sound like a nice, sensible future MB and I would definitely apply if I saw your ad. Good Luck with your search. x

Why do you want a live in nanny? To keep costs down?

Agree us older /experienced nannies are friendly and if anything more likely to stay in a job for years then a younger flighty nanny

A kettle/small fridge and toaster can be a godsend - to have a cuppa and marmite toast in bed on a Sunday - Heaven :)

Diff between double and king is 6inches and we all know how that can make a different

Pmsl :)

Hi Blondes yes cost, and also because my understanding is that live in nannies are happy to work slightly longer hours and DH and I have quite demanding jobs. I could make it work with a daily nanny's hours but I'd rather we didn't only see her when we are dashing out of or back in through the front door. This way I'm hoping we'll have time for a chat while she's still "on duty" and it can all be a bit more relaxed.

I would prefer more storage and a kettle/ mini fridge/ toaster over sofa too :) maybe either arm chair or sofa, not both! But yes, I think you are doing the best thing by waiting until you know who you are hiring, that way it will make them feel even more at home :)