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Paid childcare

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

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Original poster

Extra pay for extra child?

39 replies

WLondonNanny · 04/08/2014 21:45

I currently look after a 2 year old, and in a few weeks I'll also be looking after her baby brother.

My question is, should I ask for extra pay, as my work load will increase, won't be able to do usual activities due to having two, and due to their different routines and sleeping times, I'll no longer be having a break.

How to approach? Or am I silly into thinking I should get extra?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

nbee84 · 04/08/2014 22:13

It's nice if you are offered a pay rise, but nannies are paid on a per family basis and not per child. If you looked after 2 children and the oldest started school then you would not expect your wage to be reduced.

Fedupflump · 04/08/2014 22:21

WLondon, are you being serious?

London wage for experienced nanny is about £12 net, I think. Others might have more info.

As nbee has said, nanny per family not per child. You are the nanny, you are the professional child carer, you develop routine around your charges.

Surely you knew you would care for sibling when, I assume, mum returned to work.

AuditAngel · 04/08/2014 22:22

nbee84 I think that was beautifully and succinctly explained. Well done.

OutragedFromLeeds · 04/08/2014 22:55

It depends on your individual circumstances.

Nannies are paid per family not per child, but if you feel you are being paid towards the lower end of the salary range because it was an easier job, you can ask for a payrise.

It's ok to politely bring up the issue of a payrise, you just need to be aware of what the going rate is for someone with your experience. If you're already at the top end then you can't expect much more.

Original poster

WLondonNanny · 05/08/2014 07:42

Thanks for the replies. I wasn't sure.

I am qualified with 7 years experience and according to other nannies I am getting a lot lower that what I should be on for one child...would love to be on £12net...would be amazing!

OP posts:

Soggysandpit · 05/08/2014 08:29

Going rate in London is 8-10 per hour net, not 12

Blondeshavemorefun · 05/08/2014 09:14

Course you can do usual activities you just plan sleep and feeds round them and baby watch/sleep iN Buggy

Same with sleep at home. Put baby to sleep at same time. Assume 2yr sleeps 1-3ish. Feed at 7 11 Then feed at 3pm after sleep

It's up to you to make sure it works :)

Soggysandpit · 05/08/2014 09:21

If you want to post what you are paid I'm sure you'll get opinions on the fairness or otherwise of it!

Karoleann · 05/08/2014 09:24

The two families I know in west London one pays £10/hour net for her part-time nanny. The other £9/hour net for her full time nanny. They both have 3 children.

Original poster

WLondonNanny · 05/08/2014 09:30

Our usual week includes Gymboree, swimming class and football...all which is a bit tricky/can't do with two

OP posts:

Soggysandpit · 05/08/2014 09:38

Yes but it's up to you and the mother to have a conversation about that - your working week might just be different.

Cindy34 · 05/08/2014 10:18

Unusual in my view for a nanny to be only caring for one child, I've always had at least 2 children, often 3 or 4.

So I feel you have been very lucky to only have care of one child for a while.

Cindy34 · 05/08/2014 10:42

Things change over time, new sibling, change of age, whatever the reason things change. Activities restart in September, so now is a perfect time to discuss what activities can be done with both children. Music group, swimming, toddler group, playgym rather than a structured gym, can all be done with a pre-schooler and baby.

Weekly kitty amount will change, as activity costs will change. So talk to your employer about the likely changes that are needed now that there are two children, not just one.

Cindy34 · 05/08/2014 10:46

Swimming class - is that really needed? You can take both children swimming and oldest can learn to swim that way. If parents want eldest to go to a class, then they need to be aware that it will not be any fun for baby to be watching from the poolside.

Structured swim classes can always be restarted in a few years time. Eldest just need to keep up confidence in water, so going swimming with you and baby will be fine... You may even be able to teach them to do some things.

Blondeshavemorefun · 05/08/2014 10:58

I have done swimming and Gymboree with a 18mth and 4/5mth with the baby sitting in buggy or car seat on the side

Then swapped and 18mth sat on side in towel with snack while baby sister went swimming

Gymboree also had a mixed family class in most areas

And if there are really things you feel you can't cope with both of them
Then cancel the class

I think you are making a mountain out of a molehill

And extra pay. I've always got a Payrise when a sibling came along but as nbee said nannies are per family not child and within 6mths or so older one will be doing nursery a few mornings

Soggysandpit · 05/08/2014 10:58

Not sure I'd have been happy to take a two year old and newborn swimming at the same time, if you don't feel it is safe then you need to tell the mother that. Otherwise parents take toddlers and newborn to classes all the time, newborn often sleeps in buggy/car seat. Is this your first nanny job out of interest? It seems odd if you've got 7 years experience that you've never looked after more than one child.

Callaird · 05/08/2014 11:34

Babies love to watch older children in a class!

Why won't you be able to take a baby and toddler? Do you think people with 2 or more never leave the house? Children are very adaptable and will go along with pretty much anything you want.

You can get them to nap at the same time. I have looked after up to 5 children, when the little ones nap, the older ones have quiet time in their rooms/playroom/wherever, while I get on with my chores or have a little quiet time of my own.

I have taken 4 under 2 swimming. Went every week. One almost 2 year old very water confident had float suit on, the other had arm bands, one baby (7 month old) swimming, other baby (4 months old) sleeping in the pram, when I switched babies, the two year olds sat on the side of the pool in the shallow end, but I faced them the whole time.
Second baby swam for 10-15 minutes, then went in the pram with older one, who by then was napping and I played with the two year olds for 20 minutes. I've also taken twins swimming a lot! You just have to be organised and have a good routine with them.

I have always had a pay rise when siblings came along, however most of the parents said it was an early/late yearly pay rise. For example, MB went back to work in September and I was due a pay rise at the beginning of November so I got my pay rise in September. My pay rises have always been on the generous side so I don't know how much was for the extra work!

As others have said nannies get paid per family not per child. I have

Callaird · 05/08/2014 11:36

As others have said nannies get paid per family not per child. I have one charge now but I get more for this position than I did for my last position of two children.

You might be lucky and get offered more money but I wouldn't bank on it!

Artandco · 05/08/2014 11:48

Baby can go easily to those classes.

Swimming cancel classes and go on own or find private instructor for eldest

Gym/ toddler groups etc just put baby in sling and can carry on as usual

Blondes - Iv yet to meet a baby on 4 hrly feeds these days. I always feed every 2-3 hrs 8am-11pm from birth, then nothing overnight after 8 ish weeks

OutragedFromLeeds · 05/08/2014 12:16

I don't really understand the fuss with the classes. Gymboree and football can be done easily with two. Swimming is maybe more tricky, but just don't go?! Activities change as the children/family grow and develop. Find something else that you can do easily with both of them.

I agree with Blondes; mountain out of a molehill.

SoonToBeSix · 05/08/2014 12:23

Ha ha op I do groups with four dc age 5 month twins a 23 month old and a just turned three year old. They are my own dc but still two would be a breeze.

Unexpected · 05/08/2014 13:09

Of course you can do lots of activities with two! Some of the ones you currently do may not be possible but some will be. Otherwise you find new activities! How do you think mothers of several children manage? TBH, you are sounding a bit precious and as if you are looking for a justification for a pay rise. It also reads as if you haven't had any discussions with your boss about what she expect when child no 2 comes along. She may not want to continue swimming or she may just want oldest child to go to activities as usual while she stays home with baby on ML.

Blondeshavemorefun · 05/08/2014 14:09

All the babies in perm jobs or night nanny ones I have I start with 2/3hrs and always go to 4 as soon as I can

Dream feed at 10/11 and then the 2am Runs to 34567am

Guess it's what works for the family

Op - sure it will all work out. Have you not ever looked after 2 small children before?

Artandco · 05/08/2014 14:21

Blondes - ah maybe it's because I hate the 2am feeds! So always find 2hrs in day means no feeds needed between dream feed and 7/8am. Def peoples preference though

Soggysandpit · 05/08/2014 15:08

Wow, rarely have I seen such unanimity on a MN thread!

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