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Paid childcare

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

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Original poster

I'm interviewing people for a housekeeper/nanny job...

48 replies

PrincessPeaHead · 03/08/2008 15:54

ie about 70% cleaning, hoovering, laundry, ironing, and about 30% helping with the kids (odd school run, bit of sole charge care of 2.5 year old about a day a week, supervising teas etc)

Have just interviewed a very nice australian who has done some nannying, some hotel work, loves dogs, seems keen to muck in etc. But she is 22- I was sort of anticipating a 30+ for the role. Does it matter do you think? She has travelled all over the world, is v mature, kind, if I had to guess on meeting her I'd think she was 25. If I was looking for a full time nanny my usual criterion is not under 23.
Would you hire her, or would you look for someone older? Can a 22 yr old iron properly?!! Would be interested in your thoughts.

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zippitippitoes · 03/08/2008 17:04

that sounds like really good pay to me

PollyLogos · 03/08/2008 17:09

I think if she is good enough to do the job you want her for then she is old enough to get the salary you had in mind.

Just in case can you employ her for a trial period first?

MamaGLovesMe · 03/08/2008 17:16

Did you not think through the wage before you advertised?

Millarkie · 03/08/2008 17:32

We employ a nanny for school hols who was 19 when we first employed her, but she is mature well beyond her years. She's now 21 and on her last stint with us before she goes off to a 'proper' job The nanny before her was 29 and acted like a teenage daughter half the time (and she had her own child!) so I wouldn't be too hung up on nanny's age.
As for salary, we are in the country and pay our youngster about 320 gross I think for a 39 hour week. When I was interviewing her I asked how much she would like to earn, she said 170-190 net (which was more than she was earning in her previous job) and so I added on a bit and she seems happy enough.
No idea about ironing skills - I am over 30 (ahem) and I can't iron.

imananny · 03/08/2008 18:06

350 a week £70 a day nett then, £7ph nett seems a lot for a 22yr old

I know nannies who are 35 and earn 7/8ph - so the same

You might be better having a younger person if the job is 70/30 cleaning/childcare as most older peole i know wouldnt want to clean someones house compared to childcare

I am 35 and cant/wont iron - HATE it with a passion - at work either our cleaner does it, or goes to the local iron shop whp pick it up and deliver it free of charge

in the end trust your instincts, if you like her, and her refs are good then hire her

Original poster

PrincessPeaHead · 03/08/2008 18:15

thanks everyone. imananny yes I think that is my instinct, it is a bit over generous - but I'd rather pay a bit more than underpay - good to build up a bank of goodwill IYSWIM

do you think I can go back and say "we really liked you, your refs are good, you have less experience than we were anticipating, we'd like to offer you the job on the basis of x hours plus one evening a week babysitting inclusive" or do you think that is unfair?

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stellabgh · 03/08/2008 18:32

She sounds perfect to be trained in exactly what you want. Someone older may be stuck in their ways and have less energy. I've always found the aussies I've worked with to be very hard working. Worth a shot I reckon.

WideWebWitch · 03/08/2008 18:34

I think you can go back and say that but I also think you shouldn't backtrack on any pay, not now you've mentioned it - you've set her expectations now so offering anything less may seem insulting.

imananny · 03/08/2008 18:53

no harm in seeing if you can get her for less money with the reason you wrote on here, it is a bloody good salary for a 22yr old!!!

if she says no,then offer her the job at the wage you discussed

MamaGLovesMe · 03/08/2008 19:22

Only say that if it is true.

TBH if you really do not want to pay her what you have said it would be better to look for someone else.

Original poster

PrincessPeaHead · 03/08/2008 20:19

no I don't mind paying her what I've said. I'll speak to her referees, make a decision and then talk to her about adding in a car and a nights babysitting and see what she says.

thanks very much everyone!

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fridayschild · 04/08/2008 13:26

How about a pay review after she has finished her probation period?

I think the pay is probably about right for the role. After 3 months or so you would be happy in your own mind that she could do it, and therefore feel a bit better about the pay.

Original poster

PrincessPeaHead · 04/08/2008 16:31

Well she's agreed to take the job for the salary mentioned, plus the car and a midweek night's babysitting. Hoorah! So nice to have that sorted. Her referees couldn't have been more positive and enthusiastic and they all said how mature and organised and proactive she was. And they both wanted her to work for them again, which is always a good sign. Wish me luck with her!
Thanks for all your views, most helpful as ever

OP posts:

WideWebWitch · 04/08/2008 17:51

Great news PPH!

Earlybird · 04/08/2008 18:06

Glad you've got that sorted, and that we were able to offer useful perspective/advice. Hope she is great too!

SimpleAsABC · 04/08/2008 19:05

Keep us updated pph, when does she start?

Original poster

PrincessPeaHead · 04/08/2008 19:51

early sept when we move house
poor lamb has agreed to clean a house she hasn't even seen
she is clearly game for anything

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lindseyfox · 04/08/2008 21:34

bless her!!!

many families i have night nannied and proxy parented for actually pay the cleaner more than the do for childcare.

once night nannied for a baby and got £10 an hr, the cleaner was on £12 and the family had quibbled with me the rate i was charging from £12 down to £10!!

Lucy87 · 05/08/2008 05:17

I'm 21 and I would be so insulted if anyone asked me to accept less money because of my age - so I think you've done the right thing!

chonky · 05/08/2008 07:28

She sounds great PPH. I used to flatshare with a 22 year old Oz nanny - she had heaps of experience and was v.mature for her age, I said to dh when we were looking for our nanny 'oh, if only we could find a

catepilarr · 05/08/2008 11:34

i dont understand what the fuss about age is. obviously the older you get the more about life you know - but to assume that a 22yo cant iron because you couldnt do it yourself at that age is really insulting! hope she doesnt read it here. lots of people ( specially outside of the uk) are used to do their share of household chores since they are children.

Original poster

PrincessPeaHead · 05/08/2008 13:43

but lucy you should expect to be given less money because of lack of experience, surely? Otherwise you are being a bit unrealistic. I would offer a 22 yr old with 4 years experience the same as a 30 yr old with 4 years experience, but I wouldn't offer a 22 year old with 4 years experience the same as a 30 year old with 12 years experience.

catepilarr the ironing thing was a joke. My concern is that I only have 2 refs because she has only done two (relevant) jobs. If she was 30 and had worked for 10 years, I'd have more references for longer jobs and would have more confidence that she knew what she was doing.

Anyway, I've hired her now, and I'm sure she will be lovely, like Chonky's friend!

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imananny · 05/08/2008 15:21

lucy, as princess pea said - you are young, and no one would pay a 21yr the same as a 31yr with 10years more exp

you earn/can ask for more money, the older and more exp you get

tech as you under 22, you could find a job paying £4.60 so £46.60 gross a day (10hr day) as that is minimum wage

www.hmrc.gov.uk/nmw/

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