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Paid childcare

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

Nanny kitty

19 replies

tankie · 22/12/2008 23:23

What do you give your nanny/what does she spend as a kitty?

Nannies, what do you spend in a week?

I'm starting a new job and am their first nanny - mb asked me how much I want for a kitty and I'm not sure what to suggest. It's three days a week with a toddler.

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Bink · 22/12/2008 23:30

The easiest system we've found is to run for the first month or so keeping all receipts, and have frequent catch-ups to talk about what you've done.

Make sure you're clear on the family's preferences about what you do with the child: what activities, outings, travel, snacks while out, whether they'll have all food in the house or they'd like you to be able to pick up emergency milk, nappies, etc - families will vary a lot on that on what they like - some will encourage a very out-and-about schedule, some will want to keep it quiet, close to home and minimal spend.

It'll end up somewhere between £15 and £50(!) a week is my guess.

tankie · 22/12/2008 23:43

I did say to the mum I'm quite a sociable out-and-about nanny at the interview and she seemed happy about that - I like to cook though so would expect to eat at home the vast majority of the time.

I was thinking a couple of toddler groups a week at £1.50, £3 a week for either swimming or softplay, £5 a week bus fares, £4 for miscellaeneous extras - so £15 for three days?

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nannynick · 23/12/2008 07:26

I care for two under5s, find £5 per day to be about right in terms of spending on activites/groups/outings.

fridayschild · 23/12/2008 13:19

I would go with Bink - keep really careful receipts/ records for a month and then cross check. MB and you might have very different ideas on how much coffee etc you would drink at her expense in your sociable out-and-about nanny role. If you're both clear it's a trial then you can adjust expectations without too much stress.

When the DCs were small, I paid for classes etc termly in advance and kept the kitty low. Just a matter of personal preference.

tankie · 23/12/2008 14:37

I wouldn't expect to pay for coffee from a nanny kitty

I was thinking of suggesting a music class one day a week that could be paid in advance - I prefer drop ins really though as you don't feel obligated to go if your charge is a bit under the weather, or there's something else special on that day.

Keeping track for a month and then checking seems the best way to go.

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Blondeshavemorefun · 23/12/2008 18:21

i have a credit card and put ALL exspenses on it to do with children and anything I spend when with then,ie drinks/lunch out/entrances to farm

I find having a credit card handy as I dont have to keep asking for money, obv ALL purchases are on statement so mb/db know where money goes

its handy when doing sains and putting petrol in their car which can cost £80+ and if i pick up dry cleaning etc for mb , then just put that on as well

i always mention a credit card at the interview, and one family was reluctant, and you could see they were worried i might steal money if i knew their pin code

erm i have your children, assume children more important than money??

it depends on how much i spend, sometimes few pounds, other weeks £20+ depending on activites etc

i also have a cash kitty for car parks etc, and just ask for top ups as and when i need it

nannyL · 23/12/2008 18:52

i use my own money and get it paid back...

i spend anything between £0 and £10 in a term time week... (can occasionaky be more)

holidays vary depending on what we do...

last week, a 3 year old and a 5 year old i spent £3 for the entire week (my low record by far!)
today i spent £25 at the zoo on a special day out.

summer hols we have a special day out most weeks

and yes all of my cups of tea / lunches / ice cream / entry costs / car park etc are paid for by my bosses etc

and 40p per mile on petrol.... term time 200 miles a week, school holiday between 25 miles and 250 miles depending on who we see / where we go etc

reindeercantdancethetango · 23/12/2008 23:17

Have money in a wee pot on the side thats topped up. I spend what I need and I write it down in the back of the childrens diaries which is really for my own use as sometimes I muddle up my money and their money and it just keeps it right. I always take my card out with me and if I need extra then I would just use mine and ask for it back.

AtheneNoctua · 23/12/2008 23:41

I have a full time nanny. She gets £70 per month plus a bus pass which takes her anywhere in greater London. I have no idea if she buys her own coffee with that money. Anything I sign the kids up for and tell them to go to, I pay for separately (camp, tennis, dance class, swimming, etc.).

MissGT · 06/01/2009 21:24

I get £20 a week for two under 3's, and its really not enough! I think £25-30 would be more than enough, mainly because my employer regularly asks me to pick up milk/bread/fruit/etc and on top of things like £5.50 weekly session at the ymca, and about £8 for the two playgroups we attend, im often left with little to nothing for spontaneous soft play outings etc, and i sometimes end up spending my money (and dont always get reimbursed - i hate asking for money owed so just cross my fingers they remember, which they USUALLY do). I dont buy coffee etc out of their kitty money, more than anything because there isnt enough of it. However my employer seems to be quite stressed and has a lot going on at the mo and im not keen to ask for a raise in the money in current financial circumstances! SO i would say maybe ask for SLIGHTLY more than you feel you need to give you a bit of flexibility but not TOO much more!

Blondeshavemorefun · 06/01/2009 22:42

if you are regually picking up food shopping then you need to ask for more kitty money or ask for a credit card to pay for food, and then use cash kitty for your things with children

tankie · 06/01/2009 23:31

All irrelevant now as the mb has just emailed me to say she's changed her mind about giving me the job a week before I'm due to start!!!!

Seems to have happened to a few nannies recently

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sheena1 · 07/01/2009 08:14

I think its shocking people do that so sorry hope u find something else

AtheneNoctua · 07/01/2009 12:44

Oh no. Sorry.

Probably has more to do with the credit crunch than your abilities.

nannyzim · 07/01/2009 21:32

God don't you hate that, all going to have to turn up with contracts or letters and get them to sign them or pay a deposit and until you get it job not confirmed. As a maternity nanny thats what i'm doing.
Good luck

Blondeshavemorefun · 08/01/2009 14:55

"All irrelevant now as the mb has just emailed me to say she's changed her mind about giving me the job a week before I'm due to start!!!!

Seems to have happened to a few nannies recently"

oh no tankie - what were her reasons?

what are you going to do?

tankie · 08/01/2009 15:11

A local childminder has a space available, and is obviously a lot cheaper!

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tankie · 08/01/2009 15:14

It's getting to the point where I'm looking at live-in positions and only coming home at the weekends - DP isn't overly keen though!

It might be a blessing in disguise though I guess, there are more jobs about now than there were in December.

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Blondeshavemorefun · 08/01/2009 15:24

where are you tankie?

what a pain about the cm - surely the mum should have decided if she wanted a nanny or cm BEFORE offering you the job

tbh you are prob best out from there, if thats how she treats people,basically without a thought for them

would you really live in?

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