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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

Is this fair?

26 replies

Amanda78 · 20/01/2009 09:19

Ok, so is what I am offering my potential nanny reasonable? Opinions please on below.

A childcare worker (aged 19) with no nanny experience thus far but obviously experience in nursery setting - current level 3 qualified.

4 days per week (7.30-5)- £1000 net pay - from my calculations that would be gross salary of 14,800 ish. Currently earning 16k (gross) but that is obviously for 5 days and slightly more hours per day.

To look after 2 children - eldest will be at nursery for a lot of it although will have to drop and collect. No additional duties such as cleaning washing etc, simply childcare. Food will be prepared by myself.

What do you think? Thanks in advance.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Supernanny19 · 20/01/2009 09:27

Where are you based?

nomoreamover · 20/01/2009 09:27

I think from your point of view totally reasonable. Whether she would be happy with a slight pay cut even with the reduced hours I couldn't say. But I can tell you a childminder would earn ALOT less for the same hours for 2 children so she is getting a good deal IMO

HTH

Original poster

Amanda78 · 20/01/2009 09:27

Surrey

OP posts:

Supernanny19 · 20/01/2009 09:37

Yeah thats resonable even though she has a level 3 she hasnt got sole care experience if she has only worked in a nursery. I started of as a Nursery Nurse then moved to nannying and it was a big responsiblity difference luckily I had lots of nanny friends in the area that i could always plan playdates etc with.

alibubbles · 20/01/2009 09:59

I think it sounds pretty reasonable for a net salary, it's well above the minimum wage and better than she would be earning in a nursery for four days.

A childminder would earn a lot more in fees, as it is per child, £6 an hour here, but they have all the expenses to take off etc, so not a true comparison.

NewAmazingBeginning · 20/01/2009 10:22

Why can she not prepare the food?

A nanny expects to cook for the children ime.

Blondeshavemorefun · 20/01/2009 10:26

i think thats a good salary and i would ensure that the nanny did nursery duties,ie washing the childrens clothes, preparing food and keeping their rooms tidy as the basic ones

nomoreamover · 20/01/2009 10:35

alibubbles I'm moving to where you are!

Original poster

Amanda78 · 20/01/2009 10:58

I just thought by me preparing meals it would free her up to really interact with my kids - also the idea of minimising cooking accidents, hot water etc is appealing - its not a control thing!

I would expect her to keep tidy the areas she uses i.e after painting, playdough etc and wouldn't expect to come home to a stack of dishes but wouldn't expect her to clean for me so to speak. Something in me says that's a little mean!

People have said what about when baby is sleeping and big one at nursery, surely she should be doing something? I just feel that she will make a better nanny if she also gets a break during the day and I know as there mum I can't wait for sleep times!

OP posts:

Supernanny19 · 20/01/2009 11:15

also the idea of minimising cooking accidents, hot water etc is appealing ...If you are worried about this you have chose the WRONG NANNY

Original poster

Amanda78 · 20/01/2009 11:27

Supernanny - I didn't make that comment with anything in mind with regards to the competance of my nanny - with my husband having been burned badly as a baby (in his mothers care) it worries me and shows that terrible things can happen and its sod law that generally its often to the most careful of people.

OP posts:

Bink · 20/01/2009 11:33

That sounds fine, as a rate.

I agree with others though - I think you've unnecessarily limited the job description. You may be OK with doing all the food now, but you're giving yourself an obligation/commitment you really don't need to do.

Same with the washing - doing children's laundry, managing their clothes, is completely normal for a nanny's duties, and often quite the opposite of a burden - it's a fun thing to do with the children, for instance. And it means the nanny gets involved in what the children wear, etc. - which our nannies have always taken a nice interest in.

Cleaning I agree, she shouldn't be doing non-child-related cleaning.

I suppose there may be an issue that she hasn't got much experience in the domestic things like cooking, having been a nursery nurse - but I think you (and she, both) should think of it as a chance for her to build her skills.

Original poster

Amanda78 · 20/01/2009 12:55

I take your point Bink. I suppose initially I was worried that I am under-paying her so didn't want to take advantage.

I think the laundry I will continue to do although she will be dressing them so obviously she can still be part of choosing their clothes etc. I always tend to cook more than I need with the evening meal and that normally ends up being their lunch so I simply was planning to continue along those lines. I suppose though this could give.

I really appreciate the comments! Thank you.

OP posts:

NewAmazingBeginning · 20/01/2009 13:19

When I was a nanny I had to -

Every dau I had to clean the bedroom, playroom and bathroom that the child used.

All their food prepartion once they were on solids and all the steralising before that

The child's washing and ironing.

Clear up after the child and myself.

Polish their shoes.

I would muck in and do all sorts of things that weren't in the contract but that is just what you do when you are happy in your work.

TBH I think it is unrealistic to think that you will always be able to provide food. The nanny will still have to warm it up and I think they would be slightly if you told them why you preferred to do it. Even though I can understand your concerns.

My charges were never hurt over the years I nannied. My son and daughter have both been rushed to hospital...

NewAmazingBeginning · 20/01/2009 13:20

Flippin' heck. I can spell. Clearly can't type.

nannynick · 20/01/2009 18:29

If you are preparing meals for the children, are you also doing a larger portion for the nanny? If not, nanny will still be doing cooking. Also reheating food can be dangerous, they are still hot.
Where in Surrey, inside or outside M25 - that seems to make a difference.

Original poster

Amanda78 · 20/01/2009 22:26

Inside M25. Nanny wants to bring her own lunch.

Nannynick, I don't have a problem with the Nanny cooking at all. I just thought by me pre-preparing meals for her, with her only needing to re-heat would save unnec cooking i.e pans boiling on stove and her having to factor the duty of cooking into her day. I would much rather she spent the time with my kids rather than up and down into the kitchen with my two year old at her heels! I'm not trying to avoid every possible dangerous situation; such as using the microwave!!!

OP posts:

nannynick · 20/01/2009 23:13

So it's around £7.50 gross per hour, which seems ok for a young nanny live-out, working inside the M25.

Nannies don't usually bring their own lunch... as they don't get a lunch break. Instead they usually get food provided on the job, to be eaten with the children. As your applicant has a nursery background... make sure she realises that she won't get breaks during the working day, even going to the loo is likely to involve a 2 year old in tow!

dicksbird · 20/01/2009 23:24

Blimey NAB I wish you were my nanny............

Mine struggles to do this once a week if I am lucky and both my DC's are at school and she is paid a FT live in wage !!!

But then Hey ! Lets not go there lest I get pissed off!

NewAppallingBeginning · 21/01/2009 07:50

Don't want to stress you out but really, she should be able to do it, dicksbird.

dicksbird · 21/01/2009 10:45

Its not a case of can or cant rather she wont. Lazy madam I am afraid

chloejessmeg · 21/01/2009 11:12

dicksbird - can I ask why you still employ her if she is a lazy madam? That would put me right off I am afraid and if she is lazy - does that mean she is lazy with the children too?

OP - I think it is a good wage, not too much but not too little. How long does your youngest sleep for? Was thinking maybe you could say to her that she could have an hour "break" and then if she has some spare time, just do a bit of basic cleaning up while she waits for toddler to wake up? I am just thinking that if you are working all day you are a) going to be very tired b) want to spend the time you do have with your children, so having loads of housework is probably the last thing you need, unless you can afford a cleaner?

lindseyfox · 21/01/2009 11:39

I think that is a very fair salary for the hours her qualifications and expeirence she is very lucky that she is able to get a nanny job in the current climate as def more nannies than jobs and most people would like a 4 day week.

NewAppallingBeginning · 21/01/2009 11:45

If she is lazy then she needs to go or she needs a paycut as she clearly isn't doing what she is paid to do.

chloejessmeg · 21/01/2009 11:55

dicksbird - have you spoken to your nanny about this? Does she know what is expected of her? Was this clearly outlined to her when she was first employed? I don't think you should carry on like this if you are paying her and she isn't doing her job. And you don't sound like you have any respect for each other, which is really important when children are invloved

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