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Paid childcare

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

Nanny v nursery & after school club

36 replies

whatty · 26/02/2020 04:17

Hiya. We are currently considering our childcare options for when i return to work in September. We met a great nanny this week who has availability from September, hence us trying to conclude now on the best route. In September, our children will be almost 8, 5.5 and 10 months. Our elder two both went to private day nurseries from 10 months back when they were babies.
So the potential scenarios are these:
My husband and I share drop off and pick up. We will need to drop baby first at nursery 7.30/8 depending on which nursery, and then the elder two at their schools between 8&8.30, then onto the office. In the evening, pick the elder two up from after school club (5.15-5.45), and then get to nursery to pick baby up between 6&6.30. We would be doing these journeys by bike/ bus to/ from the station depending on the weather. In the holidays, the older two would do holidays clubs (activ camp/ art camp etc) which they have previously enjoyed.
The second scenario would be to get a nanny. She would arrive at ours at 7.30 am, drop the children at school by car/ bus/ scooter, take care of baby during the day and take to play groups etc, then pick the oldest two up from school between 3.30&4.30 depending on clubs they are doing at school. My husband or I would then get home around 5.30 when the nanny would finish for the day.
In the holidays, the nanny would have all 3 children- plus her own child, and they would have days out etc.
The cost differential of these options is c£7500 extra for the nanny over a year which we could just about afford, but would mean we need to limit holidays/ luxuries.
Which option would you go with? There are obviously pros & cons for both in my mind- which is making the decision very tricky! Thanks in advance for your help. Smile

OP posts:
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nannynick · 26/02/2020 05:46

Cost vs convenience. The nanny option is more costly but you have a lot less going back and forth between school and nursery.

Nanny has own child - that could be an issue. Why only in school holidays? If their child is school aged then would the child not come after school, school closure days etc.

Cost it out very well, making sure all taxation is take in account. Being an employer is costly. Employers NI is a tax that can really bump up the cost.

Are there other options, such as a childminder who can take/collect from the school(s)?

TeddyIsaHe · 26/02/2020 05:53

I think I’d go for convenience over savings tbh. There’s every chance either of you could get a pay-rise/promotion before your youngest goes to school giving you more flexibility. Plus with a nanny it’s not such a hugely long day for the children.

sittingonacornflake · 26/02/2020 06:00

I think the nanny option sounds much nicer for the children, assuming you don't have to sacrifice in too many other areas to afford it which it doesn't sound like you do.

twinnywinny14 · 26/02/2020 06:01

I think I’m your situation the convenience is important esp think during dark winter months dragging the kids form one to another. Is there anyone else you pay eg cleaner dog walker etc that the nanny could do the job of to save that money? Also she could some useful things around the house washing food prep cooking etc which would make life easier too x

hopefulhalf · 26/02/2020 06:02

The nanny sounds like a good prospect. A few questions, is it 5 days a week, that is long nursery hours for a 10 month old ? The holidays will be expensive and tiring with 4 DCs to be taken around. Don't forget the costs of heating/food for nanny + 10 month old.

starsinyourpies · 26/02/2020 06:04

I would (and do) pay the difference particularly with the range of ages. Make sure you agree a gross hourly rate which includes N.I etc and account for a payroll company to do your payslips, plus the pension contributions. Nanny tax (Website) has very useful advice.

BecauseReasons · 26/02/2020 06:08

We love having a nanny for convenience, but also for reliability- our nanny hasn't been off ill yet whereas we'd have had to keep our baby home from nursery for illness on several occasions so far. I'd see if you can argue a discount for the days she brings her own kid.

BecauseReasons · 26/02/2020 06:37

Ours will also do baby-sitting of an evening.

whatty · 26/02/2020 07:17

Thanks all- pretty unanimous! It is a long day for everyone with the non nanny route... I only work 4 days a week, with one from home, so it wouldn't be crazy days for all 5 days. Her child is school age, and she would pick her up some days- but she has family help too. The main down side of the nanny option in my mind is that the older two won't get opportunities to do holiday clubs with their friends where they learn new skills. They would "just" be doing normal days out/ playing at home. Similar concerns for the baby- instead of the structured nursery offering (including forest school & swimming), he would "just" be hanging out with the nanny and other nanny friends' charges.

OP posts:
ilovewinterpansies · 26/02/2020 07:23

I have a similar situation...3 kids, 2 at school one pre school.

No contest - would give up holidays to go the nanny route. It's made life infinitely easier and, as a PP has said, meant DH and I can have more flexibility at work and get payrises that I might not have achieved, therefore easing our finances.

LittleBearPad · 26/02/2020 07:23

They would "just" be doing normal days out/ playing at home. Similar concerns for the baby- instead of the structured nursery offering (including forest school & swimming), he would "just" be hanging out with the nanny and other nanny friends' charges.

Sounds lovely. Children are over scheduled these days anyway.

ilovewinterpansies · 26/02/2020 07:25

Ps don't underestimate the value of kids being able to stay at home after long school days. Plenty of time for clubs on your day off and on weekends. My kids love being able to come home and chill!

And they both do one after school club a week on the same day which means a later pickup time for both (my nanny also has her own child so I'm mindful not to ask for lots of ferrying around)

DroppedBoxxedRuth · 26/02/2020 07:27

Agree with LittleBearPad holidays should be down time for DC.

If you can afford it I'd go nanny route.

Headfull · 26/02/2020 07:28

Nanny every time. I wish it had been an option for us. I’ve had to go backwards in my career (don’t think I can call it that any more). You are both going to be more able to get pay rises/ new jobs etc in the future plus be far less stressed.

Think if sick days. Kids being tired and needing downtime. There is no reason why the nanny can’t drop kids off for play dates/ arrange some with her.

sawyersfishbiscuits · 26/02/2020 07:30

Nanny option definitely. Don't forget that the nanny will also give your children the opportunity to go to and also have play dates after school so they'll be able to catch up with friends that way.
Also budget for Nanny taking your youngest to baby groups etc and trips out in the holidays.

averythinline · 26/02/2020 07:36

If you can afford it the nanny.... the flexibility and conveniance would win for me.... re activity weeks.... think about the long holidays - maybe pick1 per child and do that when the nanny is on holiday -
your family life will be so much better if you come home to kids rested/fed rather than shuttleing from pillar to post...then cooking/home working/bed.. .. the kids will have more playtime and downtime!

TeddyIsaHe · 26/02/2020 07:38

@ whatty the kids can always do holiday clubs when the nanny takes her holiday. And you can ask her to include forest school type learnings into her day-to-day caring of your baby. I don’t see a downside tbh.

hopefulhalf · 26/02/2020 07:40

10 month old doesn't need forest school. Nanny can and should them swimming.

Embracelife · 26/02/2020 11:29

Get the nanny. She can also cover mild illness days where older dc need to stay home.
Also you can still Send DC few days to holiday club

jannier · 26/02/2020 13:49

The third option is to use a childminder....registered inspected and working to the same legal standards as nursery or reception class. Who could give everyone breakfast take to school care for the youngest collect from school give an evening meal and provide excellent care and education to your lo.

SMaCM · 26/02/2020 15:23

The nanny would be better for everyone if you can afford it. Your baby will still get lots of socialisation at toddler groups and can still go swimming and play in the forest. Another (probably cheaper) alternative is a childminder who goes to the same school and can look after the baby during the day with other children. This would be at her house, so would (probably) involve dropping them all off in the morning and picking up in the evening.

BecauseReasons · 27/02/2020 00:24

10 month old doesn't need forest school.

Agree totally. Doesn't need swimming either really, mine only did it every Saturday morning with us at that age.

GU24Mum · 27/02/2020 22:47

It sounds like a nanny might be good at least initially but with three of yours I'd try to find a nanny without her own children.

Brown76 · 27/02/2020 23:20

Definitely the nanny even if it's only for a year or two, you could do clubs at the weekend and your youngest could go to nursery when they are a bit bigger.

Hugglespuffed · 03/03/2020 19:18

I'm surprised by the nanny costing so much more (I am one)
But nurseries are expensive around here!
You should pay less when she brings her child too. Maybe £2 less an hour.

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