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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

Inexperienced nanny and pay

46 replies

MouseMama · 29/10/2019 16:58

I’ve been looking for a nanny for when I go back to work in January. Three days a week and a fourth day if my employer demands I work my day off (at short notice). Obviously these terms are not appealing to many nannies (but necessary for me) and only viable applicant so far is a very nice inexperienced 20 year old. She’s worked with children for a few months but not as a nanny and not really a childcare role before except babysitting. She plays nicely with my boy (he’ll be 12 months in January), seems very enthusiastic, affectionate and is well educated.

She plans to return to university in September to pursue her journalism degree so she’d just do the job for 8 months which would give me time to see if my job and motherhood are compatible.

Not what I had in mind but would I be bonkers to hire someone so inexperienced?

What would be fair to offer in terms of pay?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Dzudzu · 29/10/2019 17:11

My sister always had inexperienced young live in babysitters. They all lasted between 1 week and 3 months. They run away from the job as quickly as they could. The childcare job isn’t for everyone. I personally wouldn’t hire a young inexperienced woman to look after my baby or my toddler.

MissSmiley · 29/10/2019 18:22

I wouldn't leave a young child with someone inexperienced, if you need a nanny be prepared to pay full price for someone with proper qualifications and experience

8BumbleBee8 · 29/10/2019 18:39

How do experienced nannies get experience in the first place? Someone had to give it to them. I don't understand employers who are always demanding for an experienced individual yet they are not willing to hire an inexperienced person and give them the experience.

Could you find an online childcare blog forum books course you could give her to gain some knowledge on childcare whilst she looks after your children?

Original poster

MouseMama · 29/10/2019 18:40

Thanks. Honestly am completely happy to pay very good money (was budgeting £50K ish) but experienced ones seem to want full time, minimum 40 hours each week etc. no flexibility to add a day at short notice.

OP posts:

Bisquick · 29/10/2019 18:47

I’d pay around £9.5-10 ph net I think. Please make sure she has first aid training and DBS checks before leaving her alone with your baby.

dietcokemum · 29/10/2019 18:48

Would you guarantee to keep a day a week free for your employer if they only paid you when you went in?

OnlineShopping · 29/10/2019 18:48

Is she actually a nanny or just a student looking for a gap year job? Actual nannies usually do have qualifications, training, know first aid etc.

bananaskinsnomnom · 29/10/2019 18:50

Could you trial run her before Christmas?

Qualification isn’t always the be all and end all. I’ve worked in early years for a decade, the inexperienced 19 year old who arrives can sometimes be better than the qualified one straight out of college or uni.
And you’re absolutely right about hours. People need full time jobs to survive ultimately and people don’t want 3 certain days a week plus one that’s a maybe which they then have to keep free and constantly be in limbo. It sounds like a good arrangement for you both - so give her a trial, only leave her for a short time to start with, over different times of day (so she has to sort out food at one point, do a bottle and put down to sleep the next for example) if you trust her, go for it, if you have a gut that this isn’t right, keep looking. Some people are quite natural with child care, particularly babies. How many mothers have a childcare qualification?

bananaskinsnomnom · 29/10/2019 18:55

Sorry, my last statement made it sound like I was undermining all child care qualifications and professions (of which I have and am) - not what I mean. But it doesn’t mean everything. That completely inexperienced person can have a fresh outlook, and fresh enthusiasm. You may disagree with the ways of a nanny who has been nannying for years and certainly some early years professionals will be stuck in old fashioned thinking which may not match how you wish to raise your child. Or they may not.

It’s your baby. If she fits the hours and applied and seems keen, give her a go in a gradual build up and go from there.

I would however look at sending her on first aid as someone mentioned.

Original poster

MouseMama · 29/10/2019 19:15

Thanks.. this is all helpful. She is DBS checked and she is enrolling in a paediatric first aid course. She plans to be a temp nanny from now until Christmas for another family to build up experience (she has a job offer for this).

I’m doing a trial day this week but could def do more of those, that’s a really good idea.

I completely understand why the job isn’t appealing to most candidates dietcokemum! In my mind I can set off this unappealing aspect by paying a premium above market rate for hours worked but it’s a weird arrangement and not attractive to most.

OP posts:

Ilove · 29/10/2019 19:18

I’m an Ofsted registered nanny, and self employed, I work with up to 6 different families a week. This is the kind of thing I do, however I am not a cheap option!

We do exist - just hard to find!

Original poster

MouseMama · 29/10/2019 19:33

Any tips for how to find then? Assuming you’re not looking for a job ;o)

This isn’t about me being cheap. I have a well paid job and would never cut corners if it put my son at risk. My instinct is that this candidate will keep him happy, safe, fed and clean... but it would be nice to have a qualification to point to which says that.

I can keep looking I guess but I worry if I let her go, I won’t find anyone as good who will actually take the job.

OP posts:

NWQM · 29/10/2019 19:41

Obviously you think that there is a big risk of having to work the 4 days and are prepared to pay a premium. What hours are you already looking for someone? Might you be better actually paying the going rate and employing someone full time?

lily1062 · 29/10/2019 19:47

I'm a former nanny, I say former cause I couldn't find a part time position after having a daughter myself! I would say try a nanny agency! Where are you based?

karmakameleon · 29/10/2019 19:48

I don’t understand why you don’t just employ a full time nanny over four days. That should be a reasonably attractive job for most and sounds like it is in your budget. If you get called to work on the fourth day you have cover. Otherwise you can have some down time (you may well need it if you have a pressurised job) or let her have the day off, which most people would see as a bonus.

Original poster

MouseMama · 29/10/2019 19:48

I’ve wondered about this but honestly I don’t know how it’ll work out. My employer has agreed I can work 4 days a week but said if they need me the fifth day, they expect me to be available. But will try to respect the fact I’m part time. I’ll be the only part time fee earner in my law firm so no idea what this means in practice. My mum will take him for one day a week unless she’s poorly or on holiday (she does like a cruise...).

My preference would be to pay for two extra days a month, whether or not I end up needing them and then pay for any further days on an overtime basis (e.g. usual pay plus 50%).

But yeah I guess could just suck up paying for 5 days but will be a bit gut wrenching if everything works out and the nanny just works 3 days a week.

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PotteringAlong · 29/10/2019 19:51

Why not just employ them at the usual rate for 4 days a week? It will cost you the same and they are paid for hours free. If you don’t want them to work that 4th day then they are just sent away; if you need them then no bother.

MrsP2015 · 29/10/2019 19:51

Just to add my opinion...

My dd is in nursery 3 days a week and has been since 6 months old and in the time she's been there (over a year) I've seen many staff who are great and some who are crap!

Originally when she first went in I demanded asked for the room leader to be her key worker. Key worker left after 3 months and it was either demand ask for other full time staff member in the room to be her key worker or have the part time who was due on maternity 3 months later OR have 'whoever' the new staff would be. I chose the first option as felt dd recognised her most and thought she'd be better off- this level 2 key worker proved to be the best choice, she was great.

Time for a room change and dd ended up with a key worker new to the room and they bonded so well and keyworker was brilliant- guess what? She wasn't qualified! (Unqualified are allowed to work in rooms where there's so many qualified staff).
I've since met an outstanding young lady who is very thorough, listens to what you say/ ask and implements and is great with the kids- again unqualified- I'd actually choose her before some of the room leaders to be dd's keyworker.

I would however not choose this nanny myself for reasons not relevant to this but in your position I'd weigh up a qualified against her as unqualified and the kind of things that would get to me (but can be taught/ shown by you) are what foods to give/ how to cut them to size/ first aid etc. Chances are she'd follow your routine anyway.

You will know in your gut when you see them together if she's the one.
It's easy to see the difference between interactions that say to your baby 'Hi I'm going to look after you' and 'Hi I'm really going to do all I can to take care of you, you precious little bundle' hope that makes sense!

Original poster

MouseMama · 29/10/2019 19:51

I’m in SW London

It would need to be full five days karmakameleon as either my employer could summon me or my mum could be out of action. If there was only one uncertain day a week I’d probably do that but with two it feels more like I’m massively overpaying (which I could do but I’d prefer not to if I can find a decent candidate willing to work on my terms)

OP posts:

PotteringAlong · 29/10/2019 19:52

Ah, cross post.

You are going to have to pay for 5 days a week.

karmakameleon · 29/10/2019 19:53

Most people I know in client facing roles make themselves available on email and for short calls on their day off but wouldn’t expect to work for longer than that (similar to if you took the day as holiday). I think your employer is being unreasonable.

DustOffYourHighestHopes · 29/10/2019 19:56

For £50k a week you could get an experienced hands on full time nanny for the first six months of returning to work.

Yes, they’ll have loads of last minute time off. BUT it will make your transition back to work hugely easier. With the right nanny you’ll get back to a clean house with the children’s laundry done, batch cooking for the family, etc. Less juggling and rushing and stress.

It’s a short term investment.

karmakameleon · 29/10/2019 19:57

I found when I employed a four day nanny she would usually make herself available on the fifth day with notice. She didn’t have another job and happy to have the cash for the overtime. That could be the compromise.

Original poster

MouseMama · 29/10/2019 19:59

Mrs P2015 - thanks for this. I think we see the world of childcare in a similar way. I have left her playing with him for an hour and stayed in the background she was definitely in the latter camp.... he adored her and she fussed and loved on him. I definitely preferred her to some of the staff I’ve seen in nurseries near us.

But now I’ve stewed on it and head is worried about lack of quals and experience.

OP posts:

CrazyCatLady159 · 29/10/2019 20:01

@Ilove sorry to tag you - could I private message you?

I'm a nanny but having difficulty becoming self employed

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