nannying v childminding help me make my mind up

[PAPERFREEK]

I have had a really trying week. I am thinking I would like to try my hand at nannying instead of childminding. Can anyone help me to understand the difference. I want my house and my time back. I don't want to live in, but I don't mind devoting myself to washing, ironing, looking after kids etc for one family. How do I go about looking for nannying jobs?

As long as you don't have children of your own, then being a daily live-out nanny is perfectly viable. The trouble I feel is when you want to take your children to work with you... parents who employ a nanny may well not like that, some will consider it, but I feel that many won't.

Key differences:
Location - childminding is in your home, nannying is working in your employers home.
Employment Status: As a nanny you are employed, not self employed.
EYFS: nannies are currently exempt
Housework: Nannies typically do some domestic duties, such as children's laundry.

How to start looking for jobs:
First prepare a comprehensive CV, detailing your childcare experience and relevant qualifications.
Put together a portfolio that contains references, training course certificates, that kind of thing.
Contact some local nanny agencies and meet with them - that will give you a feel for what information agencies are wanting.

Look at private ads on websites such as NannyJob.

Thank you nannynick. My children are 10 and 17. I am on a downer at the moment and don't know what to do. I love kids with a passion, and have been a childminder for 17 years. I just feel I never stop. I am into my second bottle of wine tonight and feeling very sorry for myself. I have let my kids down badly tonight and feel very sad.

There may be less jobs available if you want to take your 10 year old to work, but that doesn't mean you won't be able to find a nanny job. Is the 17 year old able to look after the 10 year old after school? Don't forget to think about school holidays.

I nannied with a pre school age child and it worked really well - we had no problems at all and it was a positive experience for both my child and the one I looked after.

I then worked as a childminder for 10 years before returning to nannying last year. My youngest is now 14, so able to let himself in after school (I only work a 3 day week) but the family I work for are happy for him to come with me in the school holidays. He doesn't usually as he would rather be playing golf/sleeping/or on his xbox! But he does come occasionally (having grown up with other children around he does love small children) for things like swimming and trips out.

When I was looking for a job there were plenty around that said 'own child acceptable'. A lot of these were jobs that involved school 'wrap around' care, though not all.

For me personally being a nanny instead of a childminder is fantastic. I have my house back - no posters/stair gates/toys everwhere etc. Also, though I love children hubby doesn't particularly and he would hang around after work to come home after al the children had gone - so it was nice for him to get his home back too.
I now don't have reams of paperwork to deal with - no policies/risk assesments/accounts and tax returns.
I also have the benefits of being an employee - I get paid holidays, sick pay etc.

I say have a good think through of all things you need to take into account regarding your own children and then go for it!

Thank you nbee84. My hubby stays at work, lives upstairs like a hermit. Kids photos all over the walls (not my own) my own kids don't want me to take their pictures as they see it as an observation. My front room looks like a nursery. Feel scared don't know where to start to look for a family. Never been a nanny. Holidays wouldn't be a problem, I have quite a lot of childminder friends that would support me for my 10 year old. 17 year old is very responsible and dotes on my 10 year old. Do I go to an agency or advertise myself in paper? How do I start.

Contact agencies, see what they feel your chances are of finding a job where your 10 year old could come with you.
Also consider having a CM friend provide before/after school care for your 10 year old... it may be financially viable for you to use childcare yourself for your 10 year old, as your nannying pay could be double the childminding rate.

Start as nannynick said -

How to start looking for jobs:
First prepare a comprehensive CV, detailing your childcare experience and relevant qualifications.
Put together a portfolio that contains references, training course certificates, that kind of thing.
Contact some local nanny agencies and meet with them - that will give you a feel for what information agencies are wanting.

Look at private ads on websites such as NannyJob.

I was registered with 2 agencies but actually found my current job through netmums.

Most parents that I had interviews with were impressed by the fact that I had my own older children, so lots of first hand experience.

Thank you. Will let you know how I get on.

Where do you live? Is it an area where parents have nannies, or is a nanny uncommon.
If you search sites like NannyJob you can get a feel for what nanny jobs exist in your area.

Couple of other things to bear in mind;

Your working day could work out a bit longer - ie. if you work 8-6 you may be leaving home at 7.30 and not getting back until 6.30.

You also have the petrol costs associated with the commute.

You will be paying full tax and ni on your wage - not that you don't as a childminder, but now that you're not self employed you cannot offset all sorts of expenses against your tax bill.

You will be an employee so your day is determined by what the parents want in way of routine/activities for their child. As a childminder it is up to you what you do and when. Some parents are more happy than others for nanny to do as they please.

what hours/days are you thinking of paperfreak?

do you want to work part time or full time

many employers are more flexible/happy to have nanny with own child for 2/3days jobs

i could never be a cm - you never get your house back and the amount of paperwork is incredibale

nannying is much more enjoyable imo

what area are you in?

I am in Cheshire, I think I am back in childminding mode though, nbee84 has reminded me why I am self-employed. I think I just had a bad week.

Don't know whether I might look at it again when my 10 year old is at high school.

Found the licence and his passport. They were in my shredder. I think I put them in there to carry them upstairs to file. I wouldn't have shredded them. Unfortunately, I have to pay not only for new paper licence but also another test. Still it has made me do all my household filing.