As a nanny, would this job appeal?

[JoshandJamie]

I am considering getting a nanny for my two boys (aged 2 and 4). But basically I only need a nanny for 4 afternoons a week as they'll go to pre-school in the morning. And i want to spend Fridays with them.

However, I run my own business from home and really need some help on the admin front - doing clerical work but also junior level PR work. The person would need to know how to operate a pc and be familiar with MS Office and using the internet.

I was thinking that I could get someone to do both jobs i.e. work with me in the business in the mornings and then be with the kids from midday. The position would be live out.

Does this sound like something appealing to a nanny or not? A bit of variety, getting experience in something other than children - or is it just not something a nanny would want to do. OR should I be advertising this as a mother's help instead?

Any feedback appreciated.

PS - if you do think it sounds like a nice job and you live in West Berkshire, let me know

I think it would appeal to someone who has been a nanny for a long time and wants to get some experience to do something else or a mum who needs to work round the kids. Or perhaps a grandmotherly type person. What kind of person do you want?

Honestly, I think you need two different employees. You might strike lucky, but I think you are unlikely to find someone so versatile. Especially as this is live out.

Finding someone just for the 4 afternoons I think may be tricky, so good idea to combine it with office admin.

However, someone who is good with children, may not be very good with clerical work, PR work.

As a nanny, I am computer literate and have previously worked for a small company doing various tasks from sales, general admin, accounts, arranging international shipping, helping sort out the contents of a warehouse & unloading 40ft containers, and attending exhibitions/shows giving out brochures and providing quotes, creating print-media adverts plus IT support. So I'm a jack of all trades... but I don't think I'm a very common occurrence.

I think you need to advertise it as a split job... office admin / nanny - giving as much information about each role as you are prepared to give.

I would love to do somthing like that - don't suppose you would consider moving to worcestershire

I would consider it...

not saying a definite yes but wouldnt rule it out!

(dont live in berkshire though, sorry)

Would definately consider it. It could really work out well for you if you found the right person. Good luck

I think it sounds interesting.

You might have to be prepared to do a small amount of training for the office work.

I would consider it, although, I have no admin experience I would be prepared to learn!! I have seen jobs like this advertised before.

I would definitely apply if I was able to do full time work at the moment. I did office admin before I started nannying and don't think I could go back to an office full time, but I would enjoy the variety I think.

I have just employed 2 (hopefully) childminding assistants on a similar basis

Be positive

I think it sounds great, especially the PR involvement. I think it would appeal to someone who wasn't possibly a career nanny - maybe someone young, who doesn't want to get into too narrow a niche yet, but keep their options open. Your boys are old enough not to need someone with deep childcare experience (2 is usually the min. for au pairs, isn't it? who aren't necessarily expected to have experience at all, just a can-do nature) so someone young & lively would be great.

I think you should pick someone who seems quite dynamic - as you're offering a nice opportunity workwise & you want them to make the most of it; but that you shouldn't expect your employee to be a long-term stayer - maybe a year, before they decide to move on to a bigger PR firm or something. Is that kind of timeframe fine for you?

I've done this for a former employer and loved it - and one of the people I currently babysit for gets me to send her marketing e-mails for her once her children are in bed, pays me 10p an e-mail on top of babysitting rates!

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like it's a good job for someone, it's just finding the someone I guess. I don't mind if the person is an fully fledged qualified nanny, just as long as they've got experience with kids. As far as what time period, I've got realistic expectations that the person might not hang around for longer than a year - it would be nice if they did though.

Would you consider a gap year student with some experience of children?

It would probably look v good on someone's CV pre-university because a lot of places require 6 months office experience for temping.

I nannied to four children, three of whom were at full time boarding school and the fourth was at full time prep school. During the day I worked as her assistant managress in her nursery goods store and loved it!

It was by far my fave job and I loved it sooo much!

I'm sure a nanny would go for it!

Definitely. And you'd probably get someone with loads of experience who wouldn't mind the opportunity to do something different sometimes. If I was local(and not pregnant!) I'd be there in a shot!!

What do reckon someone doing that job should be paid? Any thoughts?

Rates are quite geographical, for nannies anyway - ie, far higher in central London than in Cornwall - I'm not sure if same applies to clerical/office admin rates.

Clerical rates should be easy to test - I'd have a look at a website local to you which deals with part-time jobs and just see what the typical range is. That may be then a sensible guide to what you offer generally?