Nanny with own child - a few practical questions

[DaphneMoonCrane]

We're pretty sure we're going to hire an NWOC soon. We can't afford a nanny all to ourselves and we can't find a CM with vacancies or a suitable family for a share.

If you've had an NWOC (or you are one):

• Where did nanny's DC sleep, if they needed a nap during the day? We only have two bedrooms - DS2 naps in a travel cot in DS1's room at the moment. We do have a study downstairs where nanny could put her own travel cot - could this work?
• Did nanny have her own double buggy? What about highchair?
• What happened if nanny's child was ill?
• Did you have extra insurance to cover you in case nanny's child hurt themselves in your house?

Any other NWOC tips welcome, too.

I'm not looking for a debate on the pros and cons of an NWOC, by the way. There are plenty of other bunfights threads about that. Plus it's pretty much our only option.

Hi daphne yes of course feel free to pm any time

BTW, I was really happy with mine!! My DS had a best friend, they had loads of fun, were the same age so going through things at the same time. It was good for my son to have company.

Daphne I am so sorry to be negative on your thread.

Being honest it didn't work that well for us to be honest but that is due to our nanny, I think, not the arrangements .

I am so envious of Badgerface's description - her nanny sounds like a trooper. We have had a very odd (unlucky?) situation where my DD hasn't been ill but hers seems to be ill a lot constantly. Add in that she herself phones in sick a lot means that I used up 90% of my annual leave entitlement in covering HER absence. In 6 months! Bloody nightmare.

So again - back up childcare for her. Clear agreed rules. And a good work ethic.

On the plus side, my DD made a great friend and blossomed.

Oh ps we have since switched to nursery. More reliable.

I must admit that I already knew my nanny so was confident she would be a good worker, although she still went above and beyond what I would have expected!

Word of mouth recommendation would be the best if you can find a nanny that way. Do you have a local community website? Or friends with nannies/older children who might have used one?

Apart from all the above, I would alo add in the contract that the nanny must pay if their DC damages anything.

Thanks Eminado and sorry to hear it didn't work out - sounds like a nightmare.

And thanks to everyone else for the good advice. Lots to think about.

If you've had an NWOC (or you are one):

• Where did nanny's DC sleep, if they needed a nap during the day? We only have two bedrooms - DS2 naps in a travel cot in DS1's room at the moment. We do have a study downstairs where nanny could put her own travel cot - could this work?

Yes - we used a travel cot downstairs when we did a nanny share. It hasn't applied with our NWOC but her child often has short naps in the pushchair on the afternoon school run

• Did nanny have her own double buggy? What about highchair?

Our nanny purchased a second hand P&T [it gave her a good excuse to upgrade I think]. Her child is about 10 months older than ours so it is more appropriate than a side by side. She takes it home in the evening removing the second seat during the week. she should supply the highchair but an ikea one is 11 and the legs pop off so it can be stored easily on the weekend.

• What happened if nanny's child was ill?

She has to take time off either holiday or unpaid as no back up. DH and I retain 3-5 days annual leave per annum each to cover illness and absence.

• Did you have extra insurance to cover you in case nanny's child hurt themselves in your house?

No - the nanny insurance we took out via Nannytax covered it.

We have one child at school, the NWOC child and our DC2 spend their days together until 3pm when DC1 is collected. They all get on like a house on fire and DC2 would be lost without our NWOC's child. They have a ball.

The only downside is that our nanny doesn't get a lot of child admin beyond catering [sorting toys/outgrown clothes etc] that if she was a sole nanny to a pre-school child that still naps might. Her DC will be off to their free 15 hrs come Easter so we'll see then depending on timings.