Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Paid childcare

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

Flip

Original poster

How do people feel about their nanny taking their own baby to work as well?

15 replies

WelshMammyOgg · 19/04/2008 18:36

Is it any different to a childminder looking after her own baby at the same time? I'm a nanny looking to return to work in November but i would like to take my son with me, obviously i would be charging less for the benefit of not having to pay for childcare for my own baby....

What does everything think?

Adie

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

nannynick · 19/04/2008 18:44

This has come up before, will try to dig out the previous discussion on this topic for you.

I think the general outcome of the previous discussion was that some parents would accept a nanny who had their own children, while others would not.

I feel you are right in proposing that your salary would be lower, to reflect that it is shared care.

scottishmummy · 19/04/2008 18:55

i would discuss this carefully with potential employers.imagine some will like the proposition and others wont.

off the top of my head

Postives
social interaction between the children

reduced cost

you are flexible and not dashing off to collect your baby

negatives

parents potentially worry your child will be treated preferentially

is it honestly possible to treat both equally

not sole dedicated nanny for the employers child

will both children get on

interesting to see how it works out but es parents place children with CM and her kids. so maybe not so different

KristinaM · 19/04/2008 18:57

I would assume that if the parents were willing it would be the normal nanny share arrangements

imananny · 19/04/2008 18:58

a lot of my friends take their child to work with them

some earn same wage as other friends who arent mummies, some earn £10 less a day - about 50p an hour less - it varies

some famillies are DEAD against having nanny with own child, some prefer it, esp those who have children at fulltime school,and need help 7-9am and 3-6pm - a lot of nannies without children wouldnt want those kind of jobs,as get bored during the day(you could go swimming/music etc with your child)plus the pay is less

good luck - what area are you looking in?

nannynick · 19/04/2008 18:58

Found a few previous threads which may be worth a read.

Nanny bringing her own child to work
Nanny with own child
Nanny with own child - rate per day?

It is different to a childminder... as a nanny is an employee and is employed to care for the employers children. When a parent uses the services of a childminder, they know that it will be shared care, the childminder may have various children throughout the day.

Certainly some nannies have posted on here to say that taking their own baby to work has worked out well. So, yes it is possible. However it is up to the family who will employ you - don't expect every family to be thrilled at the prospect.

Original poster

WelshMammyOgg · 19/04/2008 18:59

Thanks very much, and i'd be really interested to read the other post. Its something i have been thinking about for a while, i would love to be a childminder, but as we rent our house, i am not allowed to run a business from home. Very annoying as our house is perfect for it. So obvious alternative is nannying, though its going to be very much a case of finding the right job, with the right family.

Thanks again for your replies

Adie

OP posts:

Original poster

WelshMammyOgg · 19/04/2008 19:02

Sorry i'm based near Chester but am willing to(and very used to having to)travel to find a good nanny position. I am only looking to earn £180 -£200 a week as that would keep the wolves from our door and also give me back the independance of working again without me missing anything of my sons life!

So basically, Liverpool and surrounding area, Manchester and surrounding area and North East Wales.

OP posts:

nannynick · 19/04/2008 19:03

Childminding is possible from rented accommodation, but it does require landlords approval. If you have not discussed the possibility with your landlord, it may be worth asking... as some will permit it.

nannynick · 19/04/2008 19:05

Parents are often wanting Before School and After School care. If you were prepared to do that, and only be paid for that time, then I'm sure quite a few families would consider you bring your own child. Could work well, if the family concerned were very local to you - as you could then go back home during your non-working part of the day.

flowerybeanbag · 19/04/2008 19:08

I started a thread about this, I was advertising for a nanny and kept having candidates apply wanting to bring their own child (or even assuming that they could do so). I was against it as I work from home but asked on a thread about experiences of it. Lots of negative I'm afraid, and lots of stuff to consider, the emotional side but also practicalities, taking both children out, car seats, buggies, high chairs, travel cots for naps, all that stuff, plus illness, cost, I could go on....

There are families who will consider it, but having interviewed a nanny who wanted to bring her own child, I would advise you to consider the potential issues carefully and be prepared to go to an interview with your proposed solutions all ready. Rather than saying 'oh well people have more than one child all the time so it's fine.'

I'm sure you wouldn't do that, but just thought worth mentioning!

petunia · 19/04/2008 19:09

I was a Nanny and took DDs 1&2 (born in 1999 and 2003) to work with me. Before DD1 arrived, I had been full-time with the family but after she was born, I became part-time- employers children had all started school by then, so was only needed in the afternoons.

It worked well, but think that was down to my employer being fairly easy-going anyway! There were 4 children in the family, aged 5-15 yrs, and often the house was full of their friends too. My 2 just added to the fun!

nannynick · 19/04/2008 19:13

That is a good point... if you take your own child to work, you will need to take everything your child requires with you. Your employer may not be willing, or have the space to store things for you, so you may need to lug them back and forth each day. Highchair, Travel Cot, Sitting Ring Thingy, nappy supplies and feeding supplies, toys - the family may not have very young children, so may no longer have baby things around.

Original poster

WelshMammyOgg · 19/04/2008 19:17

Hmmm, i'll definately consider proposing it to my landlords, the only downside i can see would be that as they own our entire cul de sac, they may feel that if they allow my contract to be altered from the norm, if my neighbours catch on they might all want something in their contract altered.

i can but try!!

OP posts:

Millarkie · 19/04/2008 19:43

I have employed a nanny who had her own baby (and if you've read the old threads I'm sure you've read some of my comments before!) - just wanted to say that I would consider employing another 'nanny with child' but only if that nanny had thought about the situation and was willing to discuss the negative side - I have read too many posts by nannys with or without children who simply insist that there is nothing different in the situation and that the nanny does exactly the same job as one without their own child.
Also wanted to point out that although you would not be racing off to get back to your own child, the length of a normal nanny day (8-6) means that you will be waking your child early to get off to work, and can't put them down til you have got home - and then you have the problem of them falling asleep in the car so not wanting to sleep at bedtime - then not waking in the morning etc etc. - This was a big problem to my ex-nanny who ended up not taking my children to places they were meant to be going because it would mean putting her toddler in the car and he would nap and mess up his routine.

mumnanny1 · 20/04/2008 10:47

I've been taking my child to work with me since he was 12 wks old. I've had 3 different positions, 2 temp and my current perm.I've always found that it has worked very well and my employers have always been happy. Of course it is different from nannying alone, but I have always tried to make sure that having my child with didn't impact upon the family's children in any negative way. I believe I have NEVER given my child preferential treatment,as some have suggested. It almost works the other way around sometimes. I think you have to be a very flexible person and your child has to fit in with the family's routine, not the other way around. I have found that at times this can be really hard. I have felt guilty at times for keeping my own child up late, dragging him out when he's been ill etc. However, I think the positives definitely outweigh the negatives. The children have always enjoyed having another little one around to play with and I get to spend time with my ds.I think the key is to know what you can and can't achieve with a little one in tow.This varies depending on the age of your child but I've found after-school nanny jobs with nursery duties only are best.Goodluck with whatever you decide to do.

Flip