questions for potential nanny

[LucyAG]

i am interviewing a potential part -time nanny and would be gratefulo for any tips / things to watch out for.

She would be bringing her own child with her - would this reduce the hourly rate she charges? How much is a reasonable rate?

In my opinion, it is a nanny share, where you share the costs.

I would expect the rate to be reduced and when I have employed a nanny who brought her own child I paid about 80% of the 'normal' rate.
There are often nannys who post on mumsnet who argue that the pay should be the same as a nanny without own child though.

I have employed 2 nannies who had own children and in both cases paid 80% rate which we all agreed was fair as there is an element of compromise for you and your child. Main thing to establish imv is that the nanny's child is going to happy with the arrangments - our first nanny and her child were great - we loved them both - so much so that I deliberately hired another nanny with her own child but second time it didn't work out. Though nanny was v professional and treated all children fairly her own child (same age as our youngest) did not want to share his mum and made life difficult for everyone and we had to part company, it was really not pleasant for anyone - you might want to consider a longer trial than usual - eg a couple of months to give it time to see how it is working and agree up front that you will have a regular review each year to ensure that the arrangements are still working for both of you. Also bear in mind that if your child and nanny's end up going to different schools it may cause logistical problems and your child may end up spending more time being ferried around in the car. If the nanny's child is not already at school / nursery you need to ask up front what their plans are and make sure that they will tie in with your own plans / requirements - the more you can clear in advance the easier it will be for both you and the nanny. The other practical issue you might want to cover is food arragements - and whether you will share your food with nanny's child or whether they will bring their own. I always offered to nanny's that they could use our food but sometimes they brought their own food if their own child would not eat the same as my children.

She has a newborn - who will be approx 5mths at the start date. Do you think it's a lot to ask for for her to be sharing her time adequately between hers and mine (ds aged 4)?

Ask her how she would share her time between the two children. I would be wary of any nanny who hadn't given thought to the complexities of looking after their own baby and a pre-school charge. Would she be able to do things like tumbletots classes, ballet, swimming when she has baby with her. Who would provide baby equipment (high chair, cot for naps, bottles, bowls, toys) or double buggy (if needed). Are you ok about having your house still 'baby-safe' when you don't have a small child yourself (we had babygates up, small toys (lego) had to be tidied carefully etc)

One thing that from experience I would want made clear is that baby would arrive with nanny and leave with nanny (after having a nanny who would leave baby in bed in the morning, drive to work and then drive my dd back to her place to pick up baby, and then drive back and then have her family round to my house to 'pick up baby' - dd spent lots of time in a car and too much time with non-CRB checked members of nanny's family)

It can work out well for nanny and employer but you need to talk it over a lot first.