Hiring a nanny / mother’s help

[Artipoppedreams]

I’m expecting twins and decided it would be beneficial to have a housekeeper type role come in for a 2-3 hours twice per week to do things like laundry, tidying, making the beds, general cleaning, batch cooking (depending on what I need that day) during my maternity leave.

I thought if it was someone with childcare experience there could also be a “mother’s help” element with them helping to get the babies ready before I go out to a baby group, watching them for 10 mins while I shower etc. but not essential.

I made a profile on childcare.co.uk along these lines. I also added that I’d be looking for a nanny 3 days per week when I return to work but that would be another year.

I was contacted straight away by an ofsted registered nanny who seems to have a huge amount of childcare experience including with babies. We had a phone call and I explained it might not be the right role for her as the role will be predominantly housework. She said she doesn’t mind this as she’s done this before and is keen on the fact that there will be a 3 day per week nanny position in a year which she could transition into. I wasn’t expecting the two roles to be the same person but for me that’s great as the babies and I can get to know her and build trust before I return to work.

We’ve arranged to meet for coffee and I’m unsure of what I should be asking and to what extent I should interview her and whether I should speak to other candidates too. I wasn’t planning to hire my nanny at this stage so hadn’t planned on any formal process since the housekeeping/mother’s help role will only be a few hours per week and not sole charge. I was thinking of interviewing a few nannies closer to the time of returning to work but it seems too early to do that now! However, from what she’s said so far I think she would make a great nanny so I’m wondering if I should just take the plunge if all seems well when we meet!

Any thoughts or advice on how I should approach this and any key questions to ask in these circumstances?

The main thing to find out from her is why this would work for her. There are not many people who this would work for and I would expect her to be able to explain why this setup works for her situation. If she can't I'd be concerned that she either won't stay or wouldn't be well suited to one of the roles (either the cleaner or the nanny).

If she has an explanation that makes sense then ask for a CV, evidence of any qualifications, CRB check and references.

If that all checks out then you've hit the jackpot!

I wouldn't be concerned if she doesn't have twin experience as she's going to be with you/them for a year beforehand so plenty of time to get settled in.

I think what she's maybe thinking is that when the twins turn-up you might find 6 hours a week isn't nearly enough and you'll up her hours almost immediately. She may well be right on that! If you can definitely only afford six hours, I'd make that very clear to her now.

You need to have a written role description ideally emailed to her before you meet (so not to waste either of your time) to ensure she's fully aware of the tasks you expect from her, and also that the nanny position will be available from x date but this is pending her passing x months probation. Ask for a new dbs plus ask ifs willing to take paediatric first aid once she's passed probation before the nanny position starts. It's unusual to find someone this flexible but no reason why not.

It’s a bit odd that an experienced nanny is interested in 4-6 hours a week cleaning, and I’m sure it will predominantly end up being cleaning because a typical family house takes 4-5 hours for a professional cleaner (which she isn’t so will provide be slower) to weekly clean top to bottom, and that leaves little to no time for the other stuff you mention like laundry, meal prep, childcare etc. that is more relevant to her experience. It makes very little sense really that she’s willing to do that for a part time nanny position that isn’t going to be available for a whole year. Maybe she’s thinking you’ll up hours really quickly? You need to be really clear as to what it is you want, the max number of hours you’re willing to pay and be realistic about what can get done in the time. Unless you live in a tiny 2 bed 1 bath flat that takes no time to clean then I think you’re already being unrealistic about what can be achieved in 2-3 hours twice a week tbh. So have a good think about that, write a proper job description and send it to her before coffee as no point wasting her time and yours if it isn’t right.

If you do go ahead and interview her I’d personally want a good explanation as to why she’s interested and to know what else she’s doing to support herself. A good answer might be something like she currently has an after school nanny job so could slot this into her days and due to the ages of the kids she doesn’t think they’ll need her next year so she’ll likely be job hunting at exactly the time you’d be returning to work hence the interest in the future nanny position. If there isn’t a good answer I’d be thinking she’s planning on using it as a stop gap because she’s unemployed and a bit desperate and will be actively job hunting for something better/more hours and be gone quite quickly.

I'd query why she wanted this role tbh and 2-3 hours twice a week for what you want is way too little.

As I said, that’s the range of tasks I might want someone to do, I’m not expecting anyone to do all of that in one week. What I’m looking for is flexibility to help out with what is needed that day. It won’t be mostly cleaning but it will be mostly housework.

Thanks, this is so helpful!

I have my parents close by who will pop over a couple of days per week to help out which is why I thought this would be enough time but I’m not averse to increasing her hours if I find I need it - in the past I’ve always had cleaners come while I’m out at work so I’m just not sure how I’ll feel about having someone in the house with me more frequently or for longer stretches! I’d like to see how it goes for a few hours first then there is a possibility of increasing it.

I’ll make sure to ask for those things and fingers crossed we’ve just been very lucky!

It’s not too little for I want. Why do you think you know what I want better than I do? I want occasional help from someone flexible and willing to do a range of things. I don’t want a full-time housekeeper who does everything for us.

Thank you! I have sent her a list of the tasks the role could involve and that it will vary week to week depending on what’s needed.

Would you recommend getting contracts in place which include the future nanny role now? When I initially had this role in mind I was thinking of something more casual and then sorting out a formal nanny contract later.

Do you know what she has done in the past and what she is doing now? Presumably she is also working with another family too as 6 hours is not hours in a week.
I think you need to find out how this role fits in with what she is already doing. If she is between jobs at the moment she might leave once she gets a full-time role. If you are happy with what she says and you like her it sounds like a perfect choice. Although I would make clear that you can't promise the nanny position

Unless her explanation is that she is currently working PT for a family who have said that she'll be leaving them either when the youngest child gets their free nursery hours or starts school next year I'd think twice. However a lot of families do sit down with their nanny and explain that they will be redundant in about a years time when their youngest starts school/nursery. We did it with our wonderful nanny as its fair to be upfront and honest. If this is the case then she may we glad to get some extra hours with the chance to see if you get along before taking the jump into a new role.

If this isn't the case I'd think twice though.

Yeah she’s working for a couple of other families! The days she can come over she’s looking after school age children so would come inbetween school runs. Her story adds up in terms of her other roles - another child she looks after will be starting school which is why the 3 days would work well for her as it would tie in with that role ending.

I’d be happy to commit to the nanny position with her if all goes well and there are no red flags once she starts!

I find it really weird as an experienced nanny she wants to do housework 2) happy to have you about for a year 3) to take a job on that’s few hours a week how will she pay her bills

I don't think there is anything unusual with this role.
I qualified as an nneb nanny years ago,moved in to childminding when I had my own DC,youngest has sensed couldn't cope with other children so I started a house keeper/cleaning business which I've been doing years. It fits around DS.
I also nanny after school and have had some mothers help roles with newborns.

Sounds perfect!