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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Nanny-Housekeeper - does this sound reasonable?

27 replies

WhatMeghanWants · 30/07/2019 17:16

We have had a nanny-housekeeper to help with before/after school care plus laundry for a few years now. She's moving overseas so we need to find a replacement.

The laundry/ironing was done while DCs were at school. Now the DCs are 10 and 8, so don't need as much "hands on" childcare as they used to.

Does this sound reasonable?

Before School (2hrs) - make DCs breakfast, get bags/packed lunch ready, make beds, put washing on.

After School (3hrs) - make DCs tea, laundry/ironing for 45mins, supervising homework etc, tidying up kitchen after use.

Or am I expecting too much with laundry/ironing?

Views appreciated! Thanks.

OP posts:

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BlingLoving · 30/07/2019 17:24

Well no, it doesn't sound too much. But I assume therefore you don't want this person working during school hours? In my experience, nanny/housekeepers willing to sit around doing nothing for 5 hours, earning no money, while their charges are at school are pretty few and far between.

cakesandphotos · 30/07/2019 17:26

Sounds reasonable but you're going to need a very local nanny to want to do before and after school. Or will they live in?

lawnmowingsucks · 30/07/2019 17:32

What will they do whilst the children are at school if you're employing them for that time

If you're NOT employing them for that time, how will they find work elsewhere for such a specific period of time ?

NoLeopard · 30/07/2019 17:36

Did your old nanny collect them from school if they were sick, be there on inset days etc? I'm thinking if you need someone to do that you need to pay them during the day anyway

Petitprince · 30/07/2019 17:40

If you want the housework doing you should pay her to do that through the day while your children are at school. I can't imagine anyone doing a split shift like that, and such busy times while they work. It looks like you want a lot for a few hours a day.

Namechangeforthiscancershit · 30/07/2019 17:41

Is the idea that one person will do both before and after school? That will be hard to find if no school hours work won't it?

On the ages though I think fine. 8 and 10 yo should be able to entertain themselves a bit.

AllFourOfThem · 30/07/2019 17:46

I think it will be fine if you are prepared to pay for school hours even whilst no childcare is happening.

SavoyCabbage · 30/07/2019 17:49

As long as it’s not a part time five hour split shift day.

TheStakeIsNotThePower · 30/07/2019 18:14

As others have said you might struggle to get someone for before and after school. Have you considered a childminder for the childcare and then a cleaner for the house stuff?

Original poster

WhatMeghanWants · 30/07/2019 18:16

Thanks for your replies. It is actually a split shift and it's not that unusual around here. Our soon to be ex nanny housekeeper only wants to work those hours and have the daytime to herself. Friends have similar arrangements. Sounds like we've been lucky with this!

OP posts:

CalamityJune · 30/07/2019 18:22

What would the hourly rate be? I definitely think it could work in theory. It might appeal to a self employed cleaner who could work for other clients during school hours?

Alternatively, a seperate childminder and cleaner might be the way to go

Petitprince · 31/07/2019 15:50

You'd have to pay such a premium per hour to get someone good to do those hours you'd be better paying someone through the day.

lawnmowingsucks · 01/08/2019 18:25

It is actually a split shift and it's not that unusual around here.

So what's the problem , then?

If you've done it before and you know lots of people who do it, what's the issue?

Echobelly · 01/08/2019 18:39

Interested to see this, as I think that in a few years we might want to have someone doing that kind of role for about 3 days a week after school. We have au pairs at the moment, but once DS gets towards the end of Y6 I think it might be good to have someone in to just do cleaning and keep an eye on kids (DD will be 14 by then and I'd hope DS will walk to/from school on his own by that point). But I appreciate from previous experience it is to find someone to do short hours- you basically have to get lucky and find a semi-retired person who is just after a few hours a week.

MsJaneAusten · 01/08/2019 18:39

I agree with PP. The split shift element makes it unappealing. We’ve struggled to find someone for very similar hours. If you don’t think that’ll be an issue then I can’t see what the problem is.

Original poster

WhatMeghanWants · 03/08/2019 12:16

The difference between our current arrangement and what we're looking for is that the laundry/ironing would be done while DCs are home.
Before they were at school while it was done, but now the DCs don't need as much attention so I'm hoping laundry can be done during the after school hours.
Anyway I've found someone people potentially interested so sounds like it's doable. Thanks for replies

OP posts:

Echobelly · 03/08/2019 22:49

Good luck, hope it works out!

FurrySlipperBoots · 04/08/2019 15:40

Sounds ok. It might suit an older lady or a student. But there's no reason why an 8 year old and 10 year old can't make their own beds!

herculepoirot2 · 07/08/2019 10:44

You want a nanny but not to pay them for the housework?

Sicario · 07/08/2019 10:49

I think laundry/ironing while the kids are home might be asking a bit much as kids need lots of attention regardless of age. You could try it and see how it goes.

Shittiestdayinalongtime · 07/08/2019 11:01

I look after similar age of children and it's still easier to do ironing before they come home from school, especially with homework supervision and cooking. She could start just an hour earlier?

Cora1942 · 08/08/2019 17:04

You must live in an unusual area because these jobs are very difficult to fill in south England, If not impossible. By time you factor in travel time and cost it's not worth doing a split shift. Most nannies work 10 to 12 hour days so 5 hours is not appealing at all. At 8 and 10 your children should be making their own beds. Yes nanny might strip the bed and put in in the washing machine before school. If you want her to be on call for snow days, sickness etc you will need to pay her for that time or she may not be available.
Often people use a breakfast club in the morning. Nanny arrives a couple of hours before school to do laundry, prepare dinner etc, collect from.school and clubs and or homework. At 8 and 10 your children will still require care. They will need help sorting games kit, play dates, help with homework etc. So some time for nanny to do chores but not a lot.

zazamarch · 13/08/2019 22:48

This is a tricky one because of the split shifts BUT might suit a student or someone who has their own child and would want to bring them along? Or even someone already nannying for a baby for example so essentially a nanny share! Doesn't hurt to put it out there - I'm sure there'll be someone who is flexible!

Durgasarrow · 26/09/2019 07:42

I think what you're asking is ridiculous, honestly.

Blondeshavemorefun · 26/09/2019 15:47

Did you find someone @WhatMeghanWants?

Kids may be 8&10 but homework gets harder so if you want keying done I would have someone 4hrs after school and an hour to do ironing

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