How much should I pay a friend with a child, to look after my child in my home?

[MinimalistMama]

I have no idea how much I should pay! A friend (not a registered childminder/au pair or nanny) has her own 16 month old child and is going to look after both her child and my 8 month old. Both children will be looked after in my home, in central London. She would communte to my house each day and mind both children while I am at work. I expect to pay her travel costs, as well as costs for both children for any classes that she might take them to locally (music etc). This is a mutually advantageous situation, but I have no idea how much I would pay in this situation as she is not a registered childminder/au pair or nanny. We are both new to this, so any advice on a fair salary gratefully received.

are you going to be looking after her child on some days?

if not, then you should expect to pay her the going rate for a nanny, or just under as she is bringing her own child.

No idea what the nanny rate is now in Central London, but just say it's £8 ph, then I would say you should be looking at paying her that (if you can afford) it and not lower than £6 ph.

Nannies don't need to be registered, and in practice there is no difference between this arrangement with your friend and with a nanny.

Our nanny brought her own child with her, and we paid her about 25% less than the going rate as she was effeectively providing her own childcare and was a shared nanny (with herself). Your friend might feel pleased to be using your hetaing, light etc instead of being in her own house all winter (when the differnce in bills if you need the heating on all day is considerable). What will you do about food/ Most nannies eat from your fridge. I would pay her a reasonable sum so that it does seem a business-like arrangement rather than a favour. I know she is a freind, butyou will need her to be 100% relaible and dependable - hard to ask if you are paying peanuts!

I agree, make it business-like, otherwise it will break down fairly quickly

Agree a contract and don't forget to pay her NI etc

I agree with Blu - it's the same as employing a (inexperienced) nanny with their own child. Rates in my part of London are 7 to 8 pounds net for an experienced nanny..I used to pay 80% of going rate when my nanny brought her child with her so I'd say that £5 - £6 net would be fair...you do need to think about the fact that she would be your employee and as such you would be responsible for paying her income tax and national insurance and you would need to pay employers national insurance. (This is really not as scarey as it sounds ). Also she would be entitled to paid holiday (20 days a year for a full-time position). If you look on nannytax.co.uk or nannypaye.co.uk they have information on employing childcarers.

National Minimum Wage is currently £5.35 if aged 22 or over. So perhaps best to offer that as gross pay. Agree with others that she would really be a unqualified nanny.

Minimum wage would be really unfair (imo) This is central London we are talking about and she will be having to take her child out every day to get there. Obviously, it's great for her she can have her child with her, but if she's only going to be earning minimum wage she may as well childmind and make more than that! or find another family

childmind for £5.35!, is that what you get?, i get far below min wage!

God wouldnt you love minimum wage!

yes, in North London it's £6 per hour

Four years ago I paid a qualified nanny with her own child £7 per hour to look after dd in my home in central London. The amount was her suggestion. Obviously, would be more than that now.

I reckon £6phn & a travel pass would be fair as you'll have NI & Tax on top of that to pay also.

Also discuss food/meals etc...Make it a formal arrangement otherwise it could go pear shaped very quickly!

Earlybird were you paying £7ph nett or gross?

The majority of Nannies without children in Central London are earning £7/8ph nett.

I was paying £7 net. Nanny told me she would have asked £8 per hour if she had not brought her child.

Two years ago, I paid £10 net per hour for a more experienced NNEB qualified nanny to look after dd in central London (she did not bring along a child). Coincidentally, I spoke to her over the weekend, and she's just accepted a new job for £11 net per hour to look after 2 young girls. HTH.

take care with the taqx arrangements...
if you employ her the YOU are liable fro her tax and NI and if there is a problem, the tax office will come looking for you..
and make sure you know what you are going to do if she is off sick, what you will pay her etc...

sorry to sound like a killy joy - your situation sounds perfect, but get it watertight so that you are not liable for a fine from the tax office over it and won't be left in the do do if it all goes tits up.
i'd keep her as a friend TBH

Earlybird, £10/11phn isn't at all average...How many hours did she work?

I'm a very experienced Nanny & wouldn't dream of asking for that kind of salary tbh but I work 60hrs a week so that would be a rather HUGE childcare expense!

ScottishThistle - are you in London? Ex nanny worked between 30-35 hours per week - dd was in nursery until 12 noon everyday. She'd sometimes bump into the 40 hour range during half term/Easter break etc.

I haven't asked her directly what she's earning now, but she did say that she's asked for/gotten a payrise for her new job.

Maybe people in this part of London (zone 1) pay more? I know people who pay £8 per hour for experienced babysitters (not qualified nannies) that they've found on Gumtree. They also tend not to pay tax/NI either though...

Yes I'm in London (zone 2) but have worked in zone 1 & have plenty friends who do too.

I doubt I'd find work if I asked for £10ph+, not many people can afford £800+ per week for childcare.

The majority of people who do babysitting are experienced in childcare/qualified NNEB's.