Nanny share - what to consider?

[HarrietM87]

Thinking about doing a nanny share with a friend of a friend (don’t know the family yet). Our babies are similar ages, we live near each other and we are both looking for a nanny 10 hrs/day, 5 days/week.

What do we need to discuss/consider in advance and what are the potential pitfalls?

Any thoughts/experiences much appreciated.

Do you and the other family have the same views about how children are raised, amount of TV use (when babies that will be very minimal but think about the future), expectations for outings/activities.
Consider whose home will be used and how that will affect things such as storage of equipment, provision of food, heating/lighting costs... so things that can affect the share percentage - is 50/50 really acceptable, or is 55/45, or 60/40 more appropriate?
What happens if a child is ill - how ill for them not to come, what if the child whose home is used is ill but other child is not. Same about any holidays to be taken by either family... how will that be agreed - can you all take holiday at the same time (some jobs restrict and some do not) - agree as much holiday dates a long way in advance as possible, especially things like Easter, Christmas. Consider how much choice in holiday your nanny will have... they may expect two weeks of their own choice, how could you accommodate that?
Car seats, double buggy, high chair etc - who will provide what? Some babies like to be in a sling, others do not... do you need a nanny who is prepared to have one baby in a sling and push other in a pram/pushchair - also think about what happens as they get bigger, think 6 months time, think 12 months time, think beyond that.

Payroll - one employment or two? Two can be more tax efficient - talk to payroll provider. Contract writing is important between both families and nanny, plus you need an agreement between you and the other family (about things like children being ill, who provides what, who pays what).