Maternity Nurse pay

[Luckygirlcharlie]

Hi all. We folded after 4 weeks with DS1 and ended up getting a maternity nurse. It was bliss! Was expensive but he had reflux and we just really needed some sleep. DS2 is due in March and we wanted to book her again for a few weeks. Probably 4/5 actually. She stayed for 8 last time but just too expensive in top of daytime childcare this time. She wants us to pay quite a big deposit up front though (6 mths ahead) and her rate has gone up too. I understand she needs to ensure we are serious before she turns other work down but surely a contract and a weeks deposit is sufficient? We'd be having her 6 days a week. Any advice welcome on what the norm is for deposits and hourly rates We are in SW London in nappy valley! Thanks very much.

if she is demand then guess she can state what she wants, and 6mths time is a long time to wait

im a night nanny so slightly different as generally work just nights, 9pm to 7am usually rather then 24hrs a day like most mn do.

Rates do go up , mine do , and dont forget we are se so pay tax and ni out of what we earn

whats her rate and how big deposit does she want

i always ask for a weeks deposit, which is taken off last weeks booking

It is to be expected her rate will increase. Convert her daily rate to an hourly rate and see what she is earning per hour (remember that is gross per hour)
The hourly rate of a MN in many situations lower than an hourly nanny rate!!
The deposit I charge is set on a sliding scale. 1-4wk booking - 1 wk deposit,
5-11wk - 2wk deposit, 12wk + booking - 4wk deposit.
Paying the deposit confirms she will be available. You can always look for and book someone else closer to the time, but you can't guarantee a particular MN then.

She's £17 per hour and 3 weeks deposit so over £3,000 now! It's a lot no? The hourly rate is ok with us and she's great and super qualified. It's just the deposit really. And the fact she knows us. Anyway as you say it's a long time to wait and she's in demand.

£17x24 - her daily rate is over £400? Most mn seem To charge no more then £200p 24hrs

Or do you mean same hours as I do 9-7 ish so £170 a night - about average for LONDON and v experienced

She is prob doing a high deposit as you only want 4/5 weeks - many booking I do have a minimum Of 8 weeks and usually extend (if I am free) for another 4 weeks

Therefore she could be turning down jobs that are longer as yours will be bang in the middle of them iyswim

Yes it is a huge chunk of money but means when bubs arrives that you would only need to find maybe 1/2 weeks salary for her as deposit will be paying the others

6mths is a long time to wait - maybe hold fire and look for a mn in 3mths time tho obv you may not get the one you want

Yes all good points. Thanks for the advice. X