utter novice, need some advice

[oregonianabroad]

I have 2dcs in nursery 2 days per week, and a babysitter comes once a week while I am at an evening course. I am also expected to do some work from home, and am considering increasing my workload from September.

We live in a rural area and don't have any family near us, so we really struggle with getting the housework done, finding time for studying, getting any time for ourselves, in case of illness, etc.

We also commute 20 miles in opposite directions. The nursery we currently use is 20 miles from our house and near my work, which is convenient, but less so in the case of illness or on an ad-hoc basis.

I have been really happy with the nursery and would like to continue using it, at least 1 or 2 days per week. My babysitter has also been great, but she lives about 10 miles from us and doesn't drive. Plus, she is going to college and very busy, so not very flexible.

What would be my best option for finding extra help, and possibly the extra day needed from September? What are the cost implications of hiring a nanny/childminder? (We live in the NE, so I would expect it is less costly than in London!)

I've seen a CV I like the look of on nannyjob, what do I do next? What sort of questions should I ask?

Also, how much do nannies charge? Do they work on an hourly basis?

Also, I was lurking on here a while ago and someone mentioned a questionnaire to email prospective nannies, but I can't remember where I saw this, can anyone help?

nannies wages vary hugley, depending on area, qualified, experience and age

some earn a daily wage,others charge per hour

dont forget on top of nannies wage,you need to pay tax and Ni on top, so generally you pay a lot more for a nanny than a childminder,but once you have 2+ children, it evens out costwise

Thanks, imananny. I didn't realise that you pay NI and tax on top.

The person I contacted on NJ had listed babysitter, and as we need someone on a fleible basis, perhaps this might be a more suitable route for us. Are babysitters wages taxed or can they work cash-in-hand?

And how do people go about finding a good CM? I have a list of phone numbers provided by my local children's centre, and I have tried asking my HV for a recommendation, but I don't know how I am supposed to find out about them -- do I just ring up and ask to come over???

If you look on the Ofsted website, you can look up CM's last Ofsted report. It won't actually list her name and address, but you'll be able to work out which area she lives in, so that may be enough for you. And yes, if you want to use a CM, just give her a ring and arrange to visit.

oregonianabroad - tech all wages should be taxed, but sure a lot of nannies dont pay tax on their babysitting money

plus if the nanny is employed anyway,they might be willing to take cash for ad hoc basis, but would advise this is illegal

Thank you Maureen and imananny. very helpful.

Famous Nanny Interview Questionnaire - Author: AtheneNoctua
This version: March 2008
Some questions will need to be revised to suit your circumstances.

Normally our 5 year old goes to school full time (8:50 ? 3:15, M-F). Describe a typical day?s activities when school is not in session (i.e. summer break)?

Describe a typical weekly meal plan for the children (include examples for breakfast, lunch, dinner and any snacks you may offer them, keeping in mind that our 5 year old takes her lunch to school)

How would you describe your approach to discipline?

Do you have any degrees or diplomas in childhood education? Any degrees or diplomas in other subjects? If so, what subjects?

Why do you want to work in England?

If we travel as a family within the UK, would you want to join us? What about Europe? The United States?

Do you smoke? If so, how much?

Do you have any requests in terms of the accommodation we offer you?

Are you an au pair / nanny now? If not, why have you decided to become one?

What kinds of foods do you like to eat? (Please be specific and use as much space as you need.)

Do you drink alcohol? If so, how much?

How many hours do you want to work each week?

Summarise your experience with toddlers / young children.

Would you be willing to provide overnight care of the children (in the rare event that both parents are required to travel for work during the week)?

Do you have a driver?s license? From what country? How long have you had it?

Do you own a car in the UK?

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Describe your personality?

What qualities make you well suited to be a nanny?

What is your worst habit?

Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? fiancé/fiancée? spouse? If so, where does he live?

Do you know anyone in England? Friends? Family?

What is it about our particular nanny job that appeals to you?

Would you take care of the children if they were sick? (They do not get sick a lot, I only ask as a precaution)

Do you have a credit card? A UK bank account?

Do you play any sports? Which ones? How often?

Can you provide a reference from a previous au pair/nanny/nursery job? If so, please attach to this questionnaire and/or provide contact information of previous employer(s).

How many times have you been sick in the last year? What was the illness?

Do you have any children? If so, what ages? Where do they live?

What sorts of things would you include in each entry of a nanny diary? (If it is easier to attach a sample rather than describe it here, feel free to do so)

Summarise your views on discipline, schedules, and routines for young children?

Do you wish to obtain any additional employment besides being our nanny or be involved in any other activities outside of our employment (i.e. church activities, working out, language course, other studies, etc.). If so how much time per week would you expect to spend on these activities?

Are you available for a face-to-face interview in the United Kingdom? If so, when?

What is your salary expectation?

Are you in possession of a work visa for the United Kingdom? If so, what are the restrictions?

Are you able to travel to the London area by your own means?

When would you be available to start this job?

Our almost 5 year old attends a Church of England primary school (which is affiliated with the church we attend), and our almost 3 year old will begin the nursery there in September. How might you encourage their education and participation in the Anglican community?

We are offering a membership to Amida (health club) with this position, if you want it and will use it. Is this something you would be interested in?

As this is a full time nanny position for two small children, there will obviously be some light housekeeping involved (children?s laundry, keeping their toys tidy and organised, etc.) What housekeeping/cleaning duties are you not willing to do?

• End - Nanny Interview Questionnaire, by AtheneNoctua

wow - thats an intense questionaire!!

Bet some of the answers are intersting

Some of those questions i have been asked over the years

If you pay less than the current PAYE Tax Threshold and the babysitter does not have any other job, then you should be fine. If you pay more than the threshold, then you are classified as an employer and are required to operate either PAYE or Simplified PAYE (which can only be used if pay does not exceed £160 per week).

If in any doubt... best to operate PAYE unless the tax office writes to you to tell you otherwise.

With regard to salary... always agree GROSS wage, then cost to you as employer is the Gross wage plus Employers NI contribution. You then deduct employees Tax and NI from the Gross pay, and your employee gets what remains... the Net Pay, often referred to as Take Home Pay. For further information about PAYE, see HMRC form P49 - Paying Someone For The First Time

well done Nick - can always rely on you to give good advice

Thank you for both, nannynick. I had heard you were the expert.

Any other tips?

With regard to nanny wages, found a Job Vacancies list from a nanny agency in the Co Durham area. So that may help give an indication of what other nanny employers are offering.

Thanks, this is all very helpful.

This is all a bit daunting as we are the only family we know in this situation, and it is hard to know how to proceed without turning to friends/relatives for advice. It is great to be able to chat to people who know what they are talking about!

Nannynick -- do you think using an agency is useful?

an agency can be good, but always check their references yourself as well - a few minutes on phone to ex employers can save you major hassle in the future

as i said if you can find someone on gumtree,netmums or Nj then you can save yourself a finders fee ( depending on agencies - could be a saving of £300+)

and 5miles away doesnt seem that bad,as long as manages to drive and no snow

Thanks for all your help!

The 'Mumsnet Nanny Agency' is the place to come for advice You will probably get far more help from on here, than from an agency.

However, a local agency may know of people who you can't seem to contact. But I would suggest trying to contact people first - particularly that you are near a city (even if it is a bit small). If you find you can't get anyone yourself, then resort to agencies - though are there many in the area?

plus on here you get views from mums, nannies and normally people who have had childcare - whatever that may be (nanny/nursery, CM etc )

some agencies are great, others are useless and some have never had a nanny/been a mum and basically havent a clue what they are talking about

I should have said that there are several other larger cities within an hour or less.

do you 2 have your own website?

not sure how having my own website is relevant... but, yes of course I do , see profile (click yellow tag).

me no - im just a nanny [wink}

nick does tho

for advising parents and potential nannies!

Shame you live so far away, Nick.

Cute pictures on your website.