has anyone ever asked their live out nanny to house and cat-sit?

[hatwoman]

and if so on what terms? did you pay extra? we're going away for a week and we really need a cat/kitten sitter. our nanny is the only possibility, and even then, a pretty slim one. I assume she'd like her partner to come too (fine by us) but that would be a pain for him, as he works close to where they live - 30-40 mins bus ride away. what would be a reasonable offer to persuade her? (and, for that matter, him) I do know that if the distance wasn't involved they would probably like to do it - they share a house with a family, and I think they'd quite enjoy having space to themselves for a week.

well im a live out nanny and i sometimes house and dog sit...

i never even get paid extra for it. (but i did get paid 50 hours per week and rarely worked more than 20 and have about 8 weeks holdiay per year so it sort of was in exchange for that).... + theyhave a gorgouse house, by the sea, i have friedns round for dinner etc etc and im genuinely very happy to be there, especially without any kids to look after!

now i have my own house i will dog sit the dogs at my house here with me! I love the dogs so much and cant wait for them to go away and give me the doggies!

btw that shouldbe house and dog and cat sit!

My friend did. I think they paid her a one of extra payment, not sure how much.

She did what nannyL did and used it as her own . She was living with her mum so it made a change for her.

our nanny officially has 4 weeks leave, but it often works out more like 5. if i asked her to house sit, it wouldn;t count as leave. I guess I could offer to pay her partner's bus fares? I still think that answer will be no though.

I think if you are not expecting her to take any of her annual leave whilst you are away then no payment should be necessary-she could just pop over once a day and not even need to stay.

However,if you value her and there is no other option or she is using holiday then a gesture of maybe £150 for the week?

Don't know really-sorry.

popping over once a day is unfortunatley not an option. long story but we will have two youngish kittens - too young to be left. (I know, why are we havin gkittens shortly before going away? cos we're a pair of fuckwits who've got themselves in a pickle...)

Oh dear-been in a similar situation myself so do understand.

Well "professional" house sitters (always a good emergency option) are pretty expensive-last time I looked about £50-£60 per day-you really have to love those kitties!

So if nanny will do it for less then great-why not sound her out.She may like to do it on her own and be away from the other half for a week and he could come over at the weekend?

We got a nurse from our local vets to come and feed our cats when we went away. I dont' think it was too expensive. Is that worth trying?

what about putting the kittens into a cattery?

I just don;t think it would be fair - they'll be too small. not even sure if they'd take them.

I've got an advert for a catsitters agency in front of me - I don't know how much they charge. Are you in/near London? i can give you the number.

Re; the nanny - I would just ask if she was interested and if so how much she would want to be paid...are you taking your car with you? Any chance of leaving a car and putting her dp on your insurance?
My nanny lives with her parents at the moment and will pay for a weekend in a hotel with her dp just to get some time to themselves - so they may jump at the chance of a week together.

Ring the vets and see if there are any cat visiting services?
Ususally about £6-£8 per visti-maybe they could go in 3 times a day-that is if thenanny doesn't come up trumps.

Does she like the kitties?

Being nosey-are they a particular breed?

Where are you?-I am particularly partial to small furry things and would be delighted to help if I could.

hello again. thanks for the helpful suggestions. in the end it's turned out taht it's not an issue. we're getting 2 siamese kitties and the woman we're getting them from is really a bit dippy. she had given me the impression they would be ready to go mid-jan. turns out we can;t have them til mid feb. so we can just get them when we get back from our holiday. which is perfect.