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Paid childcare

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

Where to start with a nanny

17 replies

LittleLogOut · 18/09/2025 21:36

Looking at a nanny to be at home with me, as I have a disability so can’t look after baby on my own and don’t want them in full time childcare.
Whats the price range, I know that’s how much is a piece of string, how to find one, now to pay, contract terms etc. Also qualifications? What is needed not needed or is it just experience? Are they registered like child minders?

is it childcare.co.uk that I use and nanny tax thing?

Please help, this is overwhelming

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friskery · 18/09/2025 21:42

Average full time salaries are around £40k-£46k. Or around £15-£20 an hour maybe.

Qualifications and/or experience are a personal choice of the employer.

You'd probably be better off using an agency to hire rather than doing in yourself through childcare.co.uk if you aren't very confident about the employment process.

LittleLogOut · 19/09/2025 11:22

Thanks, any agency recommendations? I wondered if they would all be mainly London based.

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friskery · 19/09/2025 18:13

Where are you?

LittleLogOut · 20/09/2025 10:45

South east wales

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Tiredofwhataboutery · 20/09/2025 10:52

I wonder if a mother’s help might be more what you are looking for as it sounds like you’ll be present but not able to be fully hands on. A mothers help is more like an extra pair of hands who cooks, cleans and does childcare with supervision. I think it costs sbout the same but may help to have someone willing to chip in everywhere especially if you’ll be present, lots of Nannie’s aren’t overly keen on being closely supervised by parents.

LittleLogOut · 22/09/2025 11:20

I’d need them to take him out for a few hours or be in some charge for an hour in the morning and afternoon to give me a complete break, so I guess that would be nanny? Without the extra house stuff

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friskery · 22/09/2025 11:49

LittleLogOut · 22/09/2025 11:20

I’d need them to take him out for a few hours or be in some charge for an hour in the morning and afternoon to give me a complete break, so I guess that would be nanny? Without the extra house stuff

An hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon doesn't sound like it will be a tempting job for anyone.
You'd have more luck looking for say a mum bringing her own child, or school hours so might suit someone with a kids in school. Can you offer 16 hours a week as this is usually the minimum people want to work if they're on UC etc?

Employing someone is expensive and a lot of responsibility in terms of running payroll, setting up a pension, covering possible sick pay, holiday pay, maternity leave.
Wouldn't part time nursery or childminder be better?

NuffSaidSam · 22/09/2025 12:04

The best thing to do, rather than putting a label on it, is come up with a clear and detailed idea of what you want and what you can pay and advertise that. Let people who want the job apply. Whether they call themselves a nanny or a mother's help or a nanny/housekeeper etc. doesn't really matter.

For what you want I don't think qualifications will be as important as finding someone who has the right temperament. What you do want is a police check, first aid training and most important excellent references.

I don't know any agencies local to you (I'm in London), I would Google it and see what's around and who gets good reviews. Agencies like Eden cover the whole country so they could be worth a try. Childcare.co.uk and NannyJob will also be good and allow you to advertise directly. Your best avenue though may be local Facebook pages, get someone local who has local recommendations/references.

LittleLogOut · 22/09/2025 14:00

@friskery sorry I meant I am looking for someone full time and I’d need them to have some responsibilities during the day, for breaks for me if not ok get so wasn’t sure if that rules out a mothers help etc

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LittleLogOut · 22/09/2025 14:03

@friskery Thank you, I don’t want to consider 10hoirs per day/5 days a week nursery. I would like to spend some time with them and be around for some of their time. The idea is that I am still around to see them and be involved

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friskery · 22/09/2025 14:50

LittleLogOut · 22/09/2025 14:00

@friskery sorry I meant I am looking for someone full time and I’d need them to have some responsibilities during the day, for breaks for me if not ok get so wasn’t sure if that rules out a mothers help etc

I see, in that case I'd do as @NuffSaidSamsuggests then and decide on hours, budget and tasks and go to a local agency.
I'd guess you're looking at around £40k all in to have full time help.

Froggl · 01/10/2025 14:33

There's lots of helpful information on the National Nanny Association webpage to support parents and familes employing a nanny. 🙂 found it really useful

LittleLogOut · 02/10/2025 22:35

@Froggl oh thanks that’s great! Just what I need I’ll take a look

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mamma20255 · 22/10/2025 12:30

LittleLogOut · 19/09/2025 11:22

Thanks, any agency recommendations? I wondered if they would all be mainly London based.

Feel free to PM me, of an agency if you go down the agency route. To steer clear of.

is the candidate going to be live in or live out nanny help?

mamma20255 · 22/10/2025 12:32

LittleLogOut · 22/09/2025 14:03

@friskery Thank you, I don’t want to consider 10hoirs per day/5 days a week nursery. I would like to spend some time with them and be around for some of their time. The idea is that I am still around to see them and be involved

This was the same dynamic I was looking for when found someone.
Non full time hrs. Me still around. Mothers help type nanny.

Feel free to message me if wanting any advice as I know it can be a minefield when newly going into this

mamagogo1 · 22/10/2025 12:37

Based on what you have posted I think you are looking for someone who is open to working with you more in a Pa / housekeeper / nanny mixed role, an unusual position but really would work for someone who is older, had dc in the past and would like to be hands on with a little one but isn’t going to mind your presence (most career Nannie’s aren’t keen on the parents being there) the kind of person who will pitch in with what you need as well and happy to take baby out to local toddler groups and the park etc, allowing you to rest etc but equally if you are feeling up to being with your baby they will get on with general household tasks etc.

I hope you can find a very special person, perhaps with experience of disability too

LittleLogOut · 23/10/2025 11:11

Thank you, we think we have found someone. Who is a traditional career nanny but will do the tidying up the kitchen after feeding him and his washing etc. which takes up a big chunk o f the cleaning!
just sorting things out now and I hope it works out

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