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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

advice for a nanny please!

42 replies

fairimum · 03/01/2009 12:32

hello - I am a relatively new nanny, have been working looking after a 10 month old and an almost 5 year old since September - I also take my dd with me (now 7months). I don't do too bad hours (8-5.30/6 4 days and one half day). the 5year old is at school and mostly I take my dd and the 10 month old to groups/walks etc during the day. It is close to home takes about 15/20mins in the morning and up to twice that on the way home (much less out of rush hour!). Other than making dinner etc I don't do anything other than childcare so I know I have it easy in that respect.

My dilema is that prior to having my daughter I was a primary teacher with experience across the year groups, I looked into becoming a nanny as after taking childcare out of my teaching salery I wasn't bringing in enough to cover bills etc (OH earns too much for much help with childcare), I put an ad on nanny job in the summer, but before hearing back I emailed a family with an ad looking for a nanny on gumtree and went and met them etc (this was in the summer so a good few months before was due to start), really liked the family and accepted job as they were offering just about what I can afford to live on (£1100 gross a month), I also thought that with no nanny experience and taking my DD that I wouldn't be able to get any better pay (also considered getting some experience then seeing if I could get less hours for same money elsewhere - but now I would feel like am letting them down as they have long term plans etc), I really like the family, enjoy my job, get on well with them, similar ideas about discipline etc. But since accepting the job I have had other emails about jobs with less hours for similar or more money... and now after time off over xmas with my DD I am wishing I had more time with her on her own as feel I am missing out on her somehow... I know that sounds silly as with her all day (in an ideal world I would love to be a SAHM, but could never afford it!) - I guess my question is could I be earning more (live near Reading, Berks), as just about scraping by at the moment, or could I get similar money for more part time hours... Or should I just accept that I have that 'back to work' feeling that happens after a holiday and count my lucky stars that I have a job and get to see my DD!?

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Original poster

fairimum · 03/01/2009 12:42

sorry jsut realised how long it is!
if you got to the end thank you

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BoffinMum · 03/01/2009 12:48

My gut instinct is to hang on to your job for a year, given the present climate, and then give notice after finding a much better paid job. Then you stay friendly with the family, get a brilliant reference, and more importantly achieve the opportunity of really starting to improve your prospects.

Original poster

fairimum · 03/01/2009 12:52

Thanks BM is nice to get other peoples opinions on it - I wasn't planning on just uping and leaving As I said I really do enjoy my job! Might just be nice to have something to aim for!

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Blondeshavemorefun · 03/01/2009 12:56

tbh i dont think you would be able to earn much more than what you do, if you want less hours,you will earn less money

agree with boffin,with the current climate i would seriously think hard before chnaging to ajob that may pay more, but you might not get on well with the family

you did agree to that wage when you started, so dont think you can ask for more now just as you have been offered other jobs with more money, but if you really want more time 121 with your daughter, then see if you can cut down your working week to 4 days

anyone who employs you may wnder why you are leaving after 3 months - i know i certainly would

but i do understand you want more time with dd, so guess you have to weigh up pros and cons

nannynick · 03/01/2009 12:57

I'm in your area, work similar hours/days and I do earn more... but I have 19 years childcare experience (if counting babysitting, pre-school/creche, nursery, beavers/cubs etc) and don't have a child in tow.
From discussion threads on nannies with their own child, some parents will expect it be more like a nanny share pay wise, so I think your salary is about right given you are taking your own child, plus you don't have nannying experience.
Currently its the 'Winter Blues' period and a time when being a nanny gets difficult, as you spend many hours indoors, suck at home, not getting much fresh air etc.
You've only been in the job since September... I don't feel it would look that good commitment wise if you take another job at this point. Stick it out at least a year.

Original poster

fairimum · 03/01/2009 12:58

Thank you - as I said I wouldn't consider leaving for at least another 6 months, ideally 9 to make it a full year in the job!

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BoffinMum · 03/01/2009 13:01

Have you thought of applying your energies and doing one of the distance learning NVQs so you can become an approved childcarer in your own right?

Original poster

fairimum · 03/01/2009 13:01

I think you are right about the time of year too NN! Saying that I do try make sure we do get out everyday! TBH I think I am just having that back to work feeling!

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Paperchase · 03/01/2009 13:03

Nanny salaries around the country vary - where are you?

If you don't want to say, have a google for nanny agencies in your area. Many will have vacancies listed, showing hours and pay.

My rough calculations show your take home pay is around £210 for around a 42 hour week. This seems VERY low to me, but again, salaries depend on area, so if you're in the far north of Scotland, you could be on a decent wage.

However, as a qualified primary school teacher you could be earning much more. Many families will pay well for that.

However - and this is a big however - the most important thing imo is that you enjoy your job and get on well with the family. Only you can decide if it's worth leaving your current family for one who will pay you more.

Original poster

fairimum · 03/01/2009 13:05

I have a teaching degree and have looked at other courses, I have considered being a childminder but at the moment our house is way too small, soemthing to think about in the future though!

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Original poster

fairimum · 03/01/2009 13:06

PC I am in Berkshire nr Reading!

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NAB3lovelychildren · 03/01/2009 13:07

If you are happy in your job it has to be with more than extra money in a job that you might not like as much.

Paperchase · 03/01/2009 13:07

Doh! Missed that you were in Reading.

In London (outer, not central) I would expect you would get at least £60 nett per day, more (as Nick says) if you had more nannying experience.

TBH I think you could really capitalise on your teaching background. There are families who will pay a full time/pro rata wage for a teacher to be their nanny - and I'm specifically thinking of families with school age children.

NAB3lovelychildren · 03/01/2009 13:07

worth more..

Original poster

fairimum · 03/01/2009 13:08

I know I can earn more as have looked at ads (including those stating can bring own child!) - one was even £350 a week - which I thought seemed alot! But As I keep telling my OH, I woild rather I was happy doing a job than hating it and earning more!

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Paperchase · 03/01/2009 13:10

But (God, you'd think I could stick to one post!) staying in your job for a year will look good on your cv, gives you valuable experience and gives you time to decide.

It's very important to be happy in your job, but if you feel you really need/want to earn more, might that start to niggle? And a new job you may also like more, though if you move jobs there is the upheaval, settling your dd in etc.

Lots to consider...

Original poster

fairimum · 03/01/2009 13:12

experience I have is baby sitting, previous guide and brownie leader, organising pack holidays/camps (plus activity days for other packs), 2 years working at american summer camp, working at playschemes/holiday clubs, year working at a nursery, teaching experience from foundation - year5...I don't know if that is considered a normal amount?

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Kafka · 03/01/2009 13:13

How much do you get 'net' per hour? Nannies in London always want net pay, can you work it out?

As a gut instinct it sounds like you are being paid too little. My nanny gets paid £9 net an hour in London, I know of a nanny who takes her own child and she gets £7.50 net an hour. Rates may be slightly lower out of London.

My nanny and my friends are not particularly experienced (in years of working as a nanny) and nor do they have a string of qualifications.

Personally as someone who has employed nannies qualifications and experience are not that important to me - however you sound highly qualified with your background as a primary school teacher. What is important however is my nannies ability to care for and stimulate my children, reliability, good sense, I could go on ... My current nanny is priceless as on top of all the basics she manages to convey a genuine interest in children and has real affection for my two.

You could ask for more money and/or put the feelers out to see if there are others out there wishing to pay you more. One of the risks of paying any employee below the market rate is that they may look elsewhere.

Original poster

fairimum · 03/01/2009 13:15

PC that is my other concern that my daughter is not settled there at all at the moment really - didn't expect her to be the problem at all so was a bit of a surprise, saying that she may just not settle anywhere! she has been a different child while we have been at home - I am very aware of needing to be in the job at least a year though...

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Original poster

fairimum · 03/01/2009 13:19

I get about £5.30net, worked out at just over min wage as gross...

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Kafka · 03/01/2009 13:19

Why do you have to stay a year? People do move jobs, sometimes after short periods, and go on to have fine careers. I started a new job last year, but an opportunity came along to have my dream job - I was asked at interview why I was looking so soon - I gave honest reasons and I got the job.

Kafka · 03/01/2009 13:22

If that is a gross figure then you are being underpaid by quite a lot. I am moving to Tonbridge later in the year and I expect to pay £8 an hour net for a nanny, you must be getting about £3.50 to £4.50 net.

If I employed a nanny with her own child then I would expect to pay less but in London rates do not go down by half at a guess by about £10 to 20 % net.

Suggest that if you get another job you ask for a net wage. This seems to be something that nannies all do in London, it is a pain for employers but is an industry norm and I wish I could do it in my job.

Kafka · 03/01/2009 13:23

Sorry about all the typos in my posts!!

Paperchase · 03/01/2009 13:23

You could keep an eye out for jobs with school age children - that way you'll have most of the daytime to concentrate on her (plus nursery duties) and the advantage that families with school age children are more likely to take holiday in school holidays, ie when your day is longest.

Your net rate is around £5 per hour. I don't know rates in Reading, but it seems a little low. But then - even though you're superbly qualified - your experience isn't as a nanny which is what can make the difference in pay.

Keep an eye on the jobs going locally - if you see one you think may suit more (not necessarily pay more) then apply.

Paperchase · 03/01/2009 13:24

Sorry, x posts a bit. Hit 'Post Message' and fk all happened.

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