Clapham Nanny live-in rates and benefits

[dipsie]

I'm new to this and have had varying (scary) tales about how much live-in nannies expect to be paid in the SW11 area (Nappy Valley).

So, what's the going rate for a live-in position, looking after an 18 month old boy from 7:30am-7pm till mid may, when I am giong to be on maternity leave to have my second son in June - so I will be at home, albeit not compos mentis for the first 3 months, but might mean the hours could be lessened while I'm at home.

Duties - everything to do with the kids - day care, washing, cooking, ironing, with the ocasional night of babysitting (although I wouldn't expect this to be much more than 1 night every other week (we're pretty antisocial).

Ideally, the nanny would be late twenties. Doesn't necessarily have to be British - am happy employing other nationalities with some experience.

you need page62 for this as she is nearby. see this thread

I'd guess £300+ depending on age, experience, qualifications etc. Are you planning on keeping the same nanny but with less hours and pay during your maternity leave?

I would like to keep the same nanny on if possible to ensure there is a good 'handover' period before I go back to work. In the first instance, the 18 month old will take priority for her/him since I will be having to take care of the newborn in the first few months. But then the care will become more equal.

I have someone in mind - a polish girl who has had 1 year's experience in London and another 4 in Continental Europe. I proposed £330, but she has rather turned her nose up at that. Also, if she did come on board at £350, would she expect another increase when I went back to work?

Oh, and she's late twenties.

Hi Dipsie,
I live in Clapham, but SW4 (abbeville road) not SW11 - but i am sure the rates would be the same
I employ a FT live-in nanny who works the same hours. When i employed her nearly 18 months ago, she started on £290 pw nett - looking after DD who was 3 years old then but going 3x a week to morning nursery and DS who was six months then.
She now makes £320 net pw and as far as i can tell, she is happy! The increase over 18 mos is because we are happy with her.
I am surprised that Polish girl is turning her nose up at £330 net, that is a good wage in my books.
We plan on annual increases in her salary - probably £340, then £360 etc.
Or maybe pay for a gym membership every month etc + hours go down as children would be in FT school.
Don't panic!!!

oh and my nanny is going to be 27

its not so much the going rate, but what the family can afford to pay and also what the nanny can afford to live off.

Going rates vary because of area, age. experience,qualified and hours. A 12 hr day should pay more thana 10hr day, so many nanny's do charge ph to cover this.

Whatever you do end up paying, you should pay the same while you are on ML - too many employers cut down the nannies hours and money while they are off - i reliese the MB will be taking a cut in salary while they are off on ML, but it isnt fair to the nanny to suddenly lose maybe half their weeks wages, if their days get cut down.

So no, you shouldnyt increase the nanny's wage when you go back to work previding you agreed ona an amount at the beginning.

I dont think 330 was unreasonable for a live in job with 5 years experience and you shouldnt employ this polish nanny and look for someone else who will be happy with the wage you can afford to pay

oh, and i don't adjust salary down when i am on maternity leave i sometimes give them less hours on the day, but more like a bonus for them but i want the flexibility there in case i really need the help.

i wouldn't want to employ someone where i felt they were doing me a favour by working for me. i would like to employ someone who from the outset seems keen to the job - not just in terms of pay but the overall job description IYSWIM

less hours is a bonus and much appreicated, BUT I am more than happy to work my full hours if need be (after all I am being paid) [wink}

I really hope you both find someone who loves your children and enjoys being a nanny, and not doing it for the money

What do you think about this?

Going up to £330 during maternity leave, but decrease hours from 8:30am to 6pm so there is a view that there is more money and slightly less hours (but calling on the flexibility of one night's babysitting a week), then going up to £350 when I come off ML and hours increase again?

I think that is very fair Dipsie

sounds fair to me

out of curiosity, how many candidates did you see before you were happy with this candidate?

my current nanny was 11th or 12th i interviewed --- and before i found her, there were a few i felt, "yes, maybe...but...".

But if you feel she is the right candidate, then go for it

I've seen a number (rather lost count). Some highly qualified nannies with experience asking £375-£450 (agh), other eastern european, with reasonable english, no professional qualifications but with good experience - either as nannies or mothers' helps asking for £350 (Clapham rates seem to be very high).

The one I've seen is good, seemingly conscientious. We gave her a road test over a weekend and she was willing to empty dishwashers and kept the kitchen area spotless, as well as knowing good development stuff for DS.

guess depends if you can afford more and want to pay extra for qualified to whether you go for higher/lower salary.

If you have found someone you like, then go with your gut instinct, RING her refernces yourself, just to double check, then offer her the job

my god, the rates do seem to have gone up considerably.......