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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

7 week old babysitting - is this something that people do?

43 replies

shortfatsally · 16/01/2015 16:14

DD is in a vague schedule of feeds. Nothing else is predictable but she roughly needs a feed every 3.5 to 4 hours now. Sleeping/nappies/crying etc are all still pretty haphazard and not predictable.

I need a few hours off a week just to exercise, brush my hair, shower, meet a friend for coffee etc. DH is working all the time so no chance of him helping, and am mostly NC with my parents and immediate family. Friends are also working during the day (which is when I'd need someone.)

What should I be advertising for? A nanny who can do 8 hours a week in the daytime? No feeding just changing, cuddling, watching dd form3 hour periods? Or a babysitter? Are there people who would commit to 8 hours a week?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

5ChildrenandIt · 17/01/2015 21:29

Do you not struggle to survive in London on a part time nanny wage?

Artandco · 17/01/2015 21:31

5 - most nannies of school age I know are paid full time wage. So they are around to cover sickness/ inset days/ school plays/ school holidays etc, but generally yes still free a few hours.

5ChildrenAndIt · 17/01/2015 21:46

But surely you can't take on a second job for hours which you are already contracted for someone else? Presumably the presumption is that the nanny does a light housekeeper type role during the day (prepping dinner/laundering uniform/straightening bedrooms)?

Artandco · 17/01/2015 21:49

No not in all. Some ask, but a nanny is predominately childcare so can refuse.

5childrenandit · 17/01/2015 21:55

I would still be surprised if it would be OK to take a second daytime job if you're drawing a full time nanny wage.

If school phones with a sick child - presumably you're expected to be there in a flash - and not with an extra baby in tow.

OutragedFromLeeds · 17/01/2015 21:57

I'm on a full time wage (as are all the nannies who have school age charges). And my family would be more than happy for me to take on a second role during the hours that the older kids are at school as long as I was still on call for them (I believe this would be the case for all the nannies with school age children). Obviously I would take a pay cut to reflect the hours I was working elsewhere. It's a win-win-win. Nanny gets valuable newborn experience. Employers get a reduction in their childcare bill. OP gets a qualified, experienced nanny who can do flexible daytime hours.

OutragedFromLeeds · 17/01/2015 21:59

This happens a lot 5 and I promise you it's working out nicely for everyone . Not always with a newborn, but a share of some kind with a baby/toddler and older school-age children works really nicely for lots of people.

5ChildrenAndIt · 17/01/2015 22:03

wealthy west London .

OutragedFromLeeds · 17/01/2015 22:05

Yep

BikeRunSki · 17/01/2015 22:06

Gym crèche???
Council gym creche??!!!

Superworm · 17/01/2015 22:07

I did something similar and used sitters.co.uk I had someone come for three hour stints in the day.

They sent a lovely woman that had been a nanny for years but was now studying and doing ad hoc childcare part time. Started off just at home while I pottered, showered and got a bit organised and I built up to going out after I left comfortable leaving DS which wasn't long tbh has she was amazing.

OutragedFromLeeds · 17/01/2015 22:09

I was a bit concerned about the crèche suggestions, but I didn't like to mention it .

That is mad though, isn't it? No-one leaves a newborn baby in a gym crèche?!

TapStepBallChange · 17/01/2015 22:09

I found someone who did this, I needed someone to watch DD for a few hours so I could sleep as she was suffering from reflux, and DH and I were really struggling, it was a life saver. She was a nanny for someone after school and in school holidays, so was happy to do a few weeks for us in the mornings. She was great and we are still in touch, DD is now in year 1!

eastmidswarwicknightnanny · 18/01/2015 04:12

As a maternity night nanny I also do ad hoc daytime work as well and would do odd hours but would mean taking my own child with me during day but rates would be reduced to reflect this.

Being 7weeks old wouldn't be an issue

adsy · 18/01/2015 11:25

5childrenandit
you've got the ratios wrong.
it's
3 preschool children of which 1 can be under 1 yo
maximum of 6 under 8 yo ( including any pre-schoolers)

5ChildrenAndIt · 18/01/2015 12:03

But the point stands that someone could have 6 schoolies booked in - and a drop-in baby for school hours only. Or have a full set of preschoolers - but take on OP baby while some of them are in preschool.

Holz0694 · 04/02/2015 11:01

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Blondeshavemorefun · 04/02/2015 17:35

pre schoolers are in nursery normally 3hrsish and if one was poorly/fell over etc then going to pick up with baby in tow could make the cm over her numbers

think best bet is a nanny who has school age charges like leeds said or a little old granny who wants a few hours having cuddles with a baby, or a ad hoc nanny like me, tho no gurantee you would always get me, ie im not going to comitt to 3/4hrs a day for 3 days when could earn 10/112hrs worth of work

def not a creche

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