PLEASE HELP - clueless! Nanny 1 day a week in Cambridge?

[Bumpsadaisie]

Our little girl (first child) isn't due until May but we're trying to think about how much maternity leave I can afford to take and how we might manage any childcare.

I'm thinking of going back to work in January 2010 and my husband and I will share most of the childcare by both working part time.

However we will need one day's worth of childcare. Our preference if we could afford it would be to have a live-out nanny come to our house for the day and look after her, as she will still only be 8 months old

Here are my qu's:

Does anybody employ a nanny for just one day?

If so, how do you find a nanny who would do this

How much is one day's nannying likely to cost?

Any light you could shed would be really appreciated!

Many thanks
Bumps and her DH xx

I did employ a nanny for just a day, from 7.30 am until 7.30 pm. She had her own daughter with her, who was the same as as my DS. She only wanted part time work, and so one long day suited her much more than 3 part days, quite honestly.

BUT - not that easy to find! I contacted loads of nannies and she was the only one who responded, and fortunately for me she was really nice when I met with her.

I think you may find that you will be limited to either a mother with a young child who just wants a bit of work (which if their child is the same as yours, that could actually be really nice for your child), with a school age child in which case they will need to take your child out for a school run and your DD would be with an older child, or a university student.

We paid £8.50 per hour, which was probably higher than the going rate for a nanny with a child, but then you will need to pay higher for the privilege of part time anyway and ours had loads of experience and lived really close by so was convenient!

Oh, and from memory I found her through nannyjob.co.uk, where nannies can load their CVs and you can search for a part time nanny. You can do a search without joining, but you won't get their contact details unless you join.

Bumps... I might be looking for a nanny-share in Cam, depending on how certain things work out. Is that something you would consider? We would need 3-4 days, I think. Shall we keep an eye out for each other over the next couple of months?

Bumpsadaisie - I think you are in quite a good position at the moment, as nannies are finding full time jobs hard to come by. Lots are therefore joining together 2 or 3 part time positions. I have a part time position at the moment, and am desperately looking for a one day a week job!

If I were you, I would initially try your local Netmums childcare board, gumtree and nannyjob, and place your own ad. You could also try local agencies. I don't know what wages are like in your area, but would think £100 for one day would be a good starting point for what it will cost you. I currently earn £7.30 net, which is about average for my area (city, not London).

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. Much appreciated.

Penthesilia - hi! Is a nanny share where one family e.g employs the nanny for four days and the other for 1 day? When would you be looking for a nanny? I am way ahead of mysefl at the moment so not looking to start till January 2010.

That's right, Bumps. I would need someone from September, but could probably absorb the additional cost until you came on board. However, I have another option I need to pursue first; but, as I said, we might want to keep each other in mind a wee bit later in the year.

Penthesileia - I am looking for a nanny from Sept for our DS (3yrs). He is in a nursery now and one of the staff has offered to be a nanny. Would be interested in sharing?

at a nursery i worked for it was in the contract that staff could not leave to work for a child that attends the nursery.

i know 3 nannies who have a 1 day job

they all work 3 days for a family, and 1 day for other

works well

nannies have a 4day week and a day off