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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

Nannies! Do you raise your fee for two children?

22 replies

MrsMerryHenry · 14/04/2009 21:52

Am planning ahead to when we have DC no 2 and I go back to work. I would love to have a p/t nanny but don't know how it works in terms of charging - do you increase your rates per child?

Also one child would possibly be at nursery p/t, would that affect your fees?

Apols if these are stupid questions; I've never used a nanny before.

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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nbee84 · 14/04/2009 21:55

Same hourly rate whether it is 1, 2 or more children.

Same fees when children are at pre school - would use that time to do nursery duities, chldrens washing, tidying playroom, batch cooking etc

Original poster

MrsMerryHenry · 14/04/2009 21:56

Gasp! You would tidy, do laundry and cook as well! My God, why have I never had a nanny before?! (would you also give me reassuring hugs that one day my business will take off?? )

OP posts:

nbee84 · 14/04/2009 22:02

Lol -
lots of advantages to having a nanny. No getting children up, dressed and breakfasted before rushing out the door is a big one.

Nannies will do what is termed as 'nursery duties' - all things mentioned above and more! childrens ironing, sewing name tags in school clothes, changing childrens bedding, sorting toys, etc etc, basically anything to do with the care of the children. Obviously time permitting as the children come first. I come home from the nursery run, spend some time doing chores and then put my feet up for a bit with a cuppa and a book

Original poster

MrsMerryHenry · 14/04/2009 22:05

Wow! This is such a revelation. Are they self-employed, or would I be classed as their employer?

OP posts:

nbee84 · 14/04/2009 22:10

You would have to be an employer - so have to factor in things like holiday pay, tax, ni and employers ni.

nannynick · 14/04/2009 22:10

A nanny costs the same regardless of the number of children (though a nanny-share may be a little extra, as the nanny has to please two sets of parents).

A nanny is your employee, so you agree a GROSS wage (I suggest Gross annual salary, which is then split into monthly payments). From the gross wage you deduct employees tax and NI, plus you pay Employers NI. HMRC: Introduction to PAYE You can use a payroll company, such as PAYEforNannies to do some of the tax paperwork, if you feel you need the help.

willowthewispa · 14/04/2009 22:16

No, same whether it's one or three - but bear in mind that when there are more children there's less time for laundry etc. I have three charges and the youngest will soon be starting nursery a couple of afternoons - I'll probably either use the time to do some cooking/organising or go into the older ones school to listen to reading.

Original poster

MrsMerryHenry · 14/04/2009 22:24

Great thanks so much for this info, everyone. I shall keep this in my watched threads.

OP posts:

nannynick · 14/04/2009 22:28

Plus the more children there are, the more washing they create! Washing seems to be endless... the washing basket just keeps refilling.

You will find lots of advice on here about employing nannies. There is even a list of interview questions - someone will dig it up for you, if you need it.

vixma · 14/04/2009 22:33

No, but new children (baby) would or looking after other peoples children while caring for family caring for(ie, friends coming around and sleeping over), only because I have had parents who have done this without disscussing with me before hand. I did not know the children and they did not know me, when they are younger this can really be an unsettling situation for them.

nannynick · 14/04/2009 22:36

I don't agree with Vixma... in a past nanny job I didn't want (or get) more money due to my Mumboss having another baby.
I do however agree with Vixma's other point.

Original poster

MrsMerryHenry · 14/04/2009 22:40

I think it's very cheeky to expect a nanny to look after someone else's child with no extra payment. In any case we'd want a live-out nanny so it's probably going to be less of an issue.

Nick - re washing: tell me about it...I think I should lower my hygiene standards!

OP posts:

willowthewispa · 14/04/2009 22:43

Extra child from another family, then definitely more money.

New baby in the same family changes nothing for me - my contract is actually for the care of "Tom, Dick and Harry Smith and any future born or adopted Smith children".

Original poster

MrsMerryHenry · 14/04/2009 22:46

Gasp! How did you know our real names, willow?

OP posts:

vixma · 14/04/2009 22:57

I have only done that with one family with a baby, they seemed to think they could go to work never leaving me with the stuff we needed as it was left in their car even though I nagged and even wrote up a list of what they should leave. Then they got arsey when I would contact them at work for these reasons(ie buggy, nappies, telling me their 4 year old had a serious head bang the night before, etc). Pain when you had to drop the older kiddies to school to, lovely kids though. Funny ild life childminding.

AtheneNoctua · 15/04/2009 14:51

I have to agree that not having to get the children up, dress them, and feed them before I go to work is one of my favourite things about having a nanny. (not to mention coming home to children who are fed, bathed, and in their pyjamas when I get home.

Employing a nanny has it's upsides and downsides. It's a real pain when they quit, and you have to manage them just like any other employee. They go on holiday and take maternity leave. But, I think this is all a small price for huge conveniences that come with having a live-in nanny. Wouldn't have it any other way.

navyeyelasH · 15/04/2009 20:38

Hang on, I often have friends of charges over/take them all out etc... is this not the norm??

Or do you mean it's only poor form when you have the friend over to "play" but they are at the house all day and their parents are at work and the DC has no key to the house?

nbee84 · 15/04/2009 20:47

I would say it is the norm for playdates, but not on if you are just being used as free childcare whilst parents are at work.

Blondeshavemorefun · 16/04/2009 14:20

as nbee and others have stated, a nanny gets paid by the hour/day and not per child - so employ a nanny for xxx amount

but saying that, I have had 3 babies come along in my jobs and i have always had a payrise (tho others on here will disagree)

you take a job on for £xph knowing that you have 2/3 children then if another new baby comes along i think it is nice to give your nanny a pay rise as she is obviously doing more work/duties etc

and yes one of the best things having ananny is that you dont have to get yourself and children dressed and out the door in am, and often nannies will bath and pj your child ready for your arrival in evening

AtheneNoctua · 16/04/2009 17:33

Actually blondes, I still have to get myself dressed an out the door. There are some things my nanny just won't do. Imagine?!?!

nbee84 · 16/04/2009 17:50

Heather Mills' nanny used to do her fake tan for her!!!!

Blondeshavemorefun · 16/04/2009 18:09

pmsl athene - tho very true - tho occasionally i have helped mb do her dress up if doing out in eve

will stand corrected and say

you dont have to get your children up,dressed and breakfasted AS WELL AS YOUSELF before you go to work if you have a nanny

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