Nanny share

[Snuffleupagus2021]

Hello ladies,

I've just had my first baby and am looking at childcare for when I return to work. A nanny share would definitely be my preference and I'm just looking for advice and tips from those of you who have used nannies or nanny shares before.

I've done a bit of reading and while it's a bit of a learning curve, it seems as though agencies like NannyPaye etc help with much of the employment side of things which is great. I want to make sure we do everything fairly and have a great relationship with whoever will be looking after our child, and we would potentially think about a sole charge situation in the future if/when we are lucky enough to have more children.

I've set up calls with a few nannies I found on local groups (we're in London, btw) and want to feel clued in before I speak with them, mostly in terms of rates as I don't want to waste anyones time. We'd be looking to pay £1.8-2k max per month (on the basis of having someone 4 days a week), ideally a little less but there's a little flexibility there. A couple of the nannies are very experienced (10-15yrs nannying under their belts) - how much would we be expecting to pay someone with this experience? Obviously it would be split between us and another family - some of these nannies are already attached to another family, others aren't so we would need to try to find someone to share with. Also, one nanny has her own son who is about 18mo now so we would be sole charge, but she'd obviously have him - is it unreasonable to propose paying 50-60% of what she would have been paid before she had her son? And lastly (on the topic of pay), would you suggest finding someone we like, and making them an offer - or is it wiser and fairer to ask them what they would expect and either go with that, or negotiate a little?

And then in terms of other skills/qualifications, is there anything that should be be an absolute requirement or absolute red flag? It seems as though they're all Ofsted registered and there's a combination of other courses etc amongst them. I'd like them to have basic first aid. Honestly though, and I hope not to sound immensely harsh here, but common sense and basic human intelligence feel like the most important things to me. Anyway, no smoking would be an absolute prerequisite for sure. And I'd be nervous if someone had worked for many families for a very short period of time. Interested in others' thoughts!!

Thanks so much in advance - looking forward to any tips or advice!

Find the share family first as you will be wanting them very close to you I expect.

Advertise the job with a salary specified. A nanny share could easily be £18 gross per hour, which is then split between the two families. This will increase if NMW goes higher. There would also be a sole care rate a bit lower £14 perhaps, for hours where it is not care of children from both families at the same time.

Do not have a nanny with their own child, the law is unclear as to if it is legal. Ofsted are inconsistent in their answer to the question regarding a nanny caring for children from 3 families at the same time where one family is the nanny themselves.
In my view the law is clear that such a situation requires Childminder registration.
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/979/article/3/made

The nanny with own child working solely for you, I would offer the typical rate for your area, which might be £14 gross. They are unlikely to accept less. A small reduction maybe but they are unlikely to accept minimum wage.

If they are Ofsted registered then they have first aid - do check the certificate, they are valid for 3 years and need to be renewed.

Hard to test for Common Sense. Spend time talking to them and talk to previous employers.

Yes paying a nanny 50-60% below her salary before she had her baby is completely unreasonable . She has bills to pay and a child to care for. Nannies are popular, she can easily get her going rate elsewhere ,

Former nanny / nursery worker here

How long is a 'short period of time'?
My last two jobs have lasted 13/14 months. I have also had periods of time when I did temp work so was doing a day, few days, a week or two. Prior to that I had a job which lasted 9.5 years - those jobs are increasingly uncommon I feel now that nursery funding is available for all 3 year olds.

4 days a week , assuming 40hrs minimum. Maybe 48 if 12hr day at £2k a month is £461 gross

That’s very low or is that your shared rate

Nwoc can work well but not as a share and not at the low cost

They are usually 10/20% lower in cost. Not 50/60

Thanks so much @nannynick - by "short period of time" I mean more along the lines of repeatedly leaving jobs early with no long term nannying rather than having a few temp jobs back to back. Not a major concern though!

@Blondeshavemorefun that would be the shared rate, don't worry! As in we would expect another family to pay the same. I'm a little surprised to hear that employing a nanny who brings their own child along would only be slightly less than a full sole charge nanny, given that their child would have 50% of the attention (as would be the case with a share) and they wouldn't be paying for childcare themselves. But if that's the way it is, then we'll just accept that a proper share is going to be more affordable (and is going to feel more reasonable to me, I think).

In regards to the bringing own child along. Many nannies expect the same amount per hour as other sole charge nannies. The ones I know do accept less, but usually only a pound or 2 less.
It isn't comparable to a nanny share really. As the nanny would only be working for you (with their own child in tow) so all the related duties would be just for you.. batch cooking, washing, keeping things tidy etc... following your rules. Their child just tends to slot right in and they generally give more attention to your own child anyway as that is what they are paid to do.

As for what to do about offering money. You are an employer so essentially you can pay what you can afford (assuming above min wage etc...) and the nanny can accept or decline. Or you can ask their salary expectation and see if it is on par to what you are wanting to pay.

I specialise in nanny shares. They typically work great.
Good luck!

If you want to do a nanny share then find the other family first, so that you can choose a nanny together. We’ve done it and it was quite a bit of hassle tbh. You need to be on the same page re routine, safety, and importantly will have to agree holidays (we let our nanny choose 50% of holiday days and so we could only choose 25%, the other family 25% - caused a fair few problems). Also what you do re illness - are you happy for your child to catch stuff from theirs?

I agree that if you haven't actually got a nanny already, find the share family first and then hire for one together. The relationship with the other family is harder to manage than the nanny one and just as critical. You need them to be physically close and you need to agree on all the important things in terms of what you want from the share. Approach to discipline, sickness, diet, screen time, duties...

It can work great (I'm on my 4th share family relationship) but it's not easy. Have learned the hard way to discuss everything and create opportunities to check in. We now do summit meetings of sorts with all parties especially during the first six months to say "how is everything going, are there any concerns or niggles, [nanny], can we collectively do anything to make your job easier".

Check your nanny's references thoroughly. Remember you are an employer and you need to take that duty seriously and understand the power dynamic.

Good luck. My nanny's been with me nearly 5 years and we'll be heartbroken when all my DC are in school and we have to give her up.

Hi
I have been a Nanny for 3 years I left my very well paid job to look after my grandchildren.
I was paid for my services now they are at school I am no longer needed
But would love to get back in to a Nanny job.
Working with children is so rewarding you need to find someone that you feel comfortable with because they become a part of your family and are looking after you most precious baby.
All mother worry.
I had 2 kids myself
Don't stress all will turn out well