First time employing nanny - need to ask if I should pay nanny for drop-in groups?

[greenday]

Firstly, to everyone who responded to my previous thread about finding childcare, just wanted to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH!! I've learnt a lot and this has enabled me to find a nanny that I am comfortable and confident about.

Today is my first day at work (yes, typing this at lunchtime and in secret!!) ... my nanny has taken my DD and DS to music playgroup this morning.

Not sure what the protocol / ettiquette here is - should I pay for it? She has her DD with her so I think she was planning to go anyway for her DD.

Thanks!

Thinking about it, the reason I like the pay as you go is that it enables me to pay the nanny to take my daughter (and friends) to places she really wants to go to that I hate

Ah, we can agree on something. I too like to send nanny to do things I hate. Like swimming. I hate swimming. But nanny and the kids love it. So off they go... without me.

i think that the employer should pay for her child/ren and the nanny entrances to groups/farms, lunch out etc

but

the nanny should pay for her own child entrances

a monthly set budget is a good idea., and the nanny can spend it how she wants

anna - i have never known of any of my friends mb paying for their nannys child to go to places

Imananny - what if the employer wanted her children to go somewhere very expensive - say an outing that was £30 per head?

you mean like a theme park etc

hmmmmmmmmmmm - still think the nanny should pay for their own child - they are lucky to be able to bring their child with them to work, and dont see why the mb should have to pay for them - although very generous if they did

going on internet and getting bogof vouchers, as i did today saves money - managed to save mb over £10today

HI, thank you all for your response. It has been a constructive debate too and as mentioned, it has demonstrated to me the many possibilities (and complications) that can arise. It is tricky situation when it comes to paying for everybody, especially when its an expensive outing as mentioned, theme park, etc. In those circumstances, I think I personally will leave go myself as it seems a waste to pay someone else to have the fun !
I will definitely take on board everyone's suggestion of having a jar/purse for the day's expenditure.

Back to my op, again, as this is my first time employing a nanny, I very much wanted her to feel comfortable and welcomed in my home (and happy to pay for her expenses towards my DCs) but at the same time, I guess I was a bit weary and cautious in case this might have been taken advantage of, IFKWIM. But I am very glad to report that it went well, she was fab and the fact that she charged me a 'sibling' fee for the music playgroup (rather than the main fee which was higher) ... that speaks a lot about her IMO .. and my trust in her is strengthened.

Thanks you all!

wary, I meant, not weary.

Glad it went well. You might want to include the nanny in your decision. She will probably appreciate being consulted. You could just say to her that you are new to this and was wondering if it would be easier if you just handed over a set rate of expenses and she can use the money as she wants and that way no one has to worry about keeping track of receipts and which child ate what, etc. Perhaps suggest you give her say £40 per month to cover transportation, activities, food, etc. not including anything you specifically ask her to do. For example, you might ask her to pick up nappies or run my the pharmacy, in which case you should obviously give her the money for those one off expenses.

For expenses such as these, I give my nanny a credit card (with a very low limit so not too much damage could be done if she lost it). So if I ask her to pick up some school uniforms, or get someone a birthday present she just puts it on the card. I don't have to mess with expenses and reimbursing this and that but I can still sign on the card account online and see where the money is going.

i have a credit card and is so much easier - as athene said, you can still keep track of exspenses and only need to worry if a £450 gets spent on some Manolo Blahnik shoes

everything i spend goes on it - unless £2 for M&T etc

glad your nanny seems to be working out

thereare some nice ones of us about