Nannies with own children?

[MissingMyHeels]

I am going back to work in September when my DD will be 6months old. I would love a nanny but can't really afford it so was thinking of a nanny share or a nanny with own child.

Have signed up to a couple of nanny share sites but I don't know where I would find local nannies who would work if it weren't for the fact they didn't have childcare IYSWIM? Any suggestions?

I thought about whether to have a nanny who brought her own children with her to work. Eventually I decided that I didn't want to go that way, but there are certainly pros and cons:

What if nanny's DC ill? - Do they still bring DC to work? The nanny would need to have contingency plans in place for this.

What if your DC are ill?

What if your & nanny's DC don't get on?

You have to be prepared to have things broken / damaged by other children - if you are happy with this, fine, but you need to accept it is a real possibility, as all children can cause damage at some point.

On the plus side - company for each other.
Nanny less likely to have to take time off due to her childcare arrangements breaking down.

I'm sure there are other things - I just can't think.

In terms of not being able to afford a nanny, if you receive child tax credits (which I think pay quite a sum towards childcare costs - although I not sure if this applies to nannies or just to CM - nannynick will advise I'm sure) and also use childcare vouchers (which are effectively tax free (saves £100/month for each parent if 40% tax payer, although nanny must be qualified and registered), you may be surprised at how affordable having a nanny could be.

How to find local people: advert in local newsagents, ask around at church or any other group you may belong to, asking around at toddler groups, ads at toddler groups and other child venues (playgym, indoor play centres).
Could try searching ads on your local Gumtree and at NannyJob.

In England, if you receive childcare element of working tax credit, then you could use that to help pay for a nanny (the nanny would need to be Ofsted registered). With one child, if you got the Maximum claim amount of 80%, that would give you £140 towards the cost of registered childcare.

£140 per month towards the cost? That doesn't seem very much. Just looked on entitled to and it seems I qualify for absolutely nothing Have no idea how they work these things out, after paying for childcare and rent I will have practically no income.

Bluesky - thanks for those questions, they're certainly something to think about.

Thanks nick for those ideas, will try asking around - not at many baby groups yet as DD is only 8 weeks and they seem to be more toddler focussed will see if I can put any ads up though.

As well as gumtree and nannyjob - try your local netmums childcare board and one on mumsnet of course.
I've had applicants from all 3 websites in the past.

Are you sure you want a nanny? Even if a nanny brings their own child with them, I would expect (based on what has been talked about on here in the past) that the nanny would be wanting something close to 80% of the salary a nanny without a child would want.

In your area, childminders charge £4-£5 per hour. A nanny I expect could easily cost you double that (once taxes are taken into consideration).

Just wanted to check that you have ruled out other forms of childcare, which could well be lower cost.

When I employed 'nanny with own child' not only did she get paid 80% of normal rate but I didn't ask for any 'nursery duties' so no kid's washing, or even cooking other than warming up stuff I'd cooked because I knew how hard it was to look after a baby and an older child...so some of the benefits of a nanny might not be possible (although I guess some nannys would take it all in their stride).
Nanny-sharing (which I have also done) is a little cheaper (about 60% salary since you 50:50 it with other family but nanny tends to get a higher salary than normal - you do save some money on spitting the NI though) - and costs (petrol money) can be shared..but wear and tear on 'host' family house can increase (well, it did for us!)

Arggh it's so difficult. A childminder would be easier I think but lot's of people have said that with other bigger kida around a baby would be bottom of the list/not receive much attention.

I can afford a nanny but it crushes my disposable income to practically zero It's a bit selfish but I need to see some of my wages to motivate me at work!

"A childminder would be easier I think but lot's of people have said that with other bigger kida around a baby would be bottom of the list/not receive much attention."

I don't agree... childminders I know will aim to provide all children with the same amount of attention where possible, though little ones tend to get the most, as they require the most attnention. Also, older children will pay little ones attention - some older children can be very motherly.

If you haven't visited any childminders, may be worth visiting a couple, to get a feel for what they are like - so you can make your own judgement as to if that form of childcare is for you, or not.

Our first nanny stayed 10 years ( lived out). She got married in that period and then had her first baby (and went on maternity leave for 1 - 3 months - can't remember which now) and then came back with the baby. Our older 3 did get less attention but by then the oldest was at school anyway and the second at nursery school and soon the third. Then she had a second and then it got a bit much because our 3 had to wait a lot for her to deal with her two and her husband often came at tea time for his tea (lovely, lovely man who later died but still we felt a bit taken over at times)... and she left when she had the 3rd child. But that's different from hiring someone with a child already.

That's interesting Xenia. You're right Nick, I should make my own call, going to see a childminder and a nursery this week so hopefully will have a better idea of what will suit me.