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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 and Xmas holidays

31 replies

lobsters · 16/04/2009 19:17

I'm still working out costings on getting a nanny and was wondering how those of you who are nannies or have nannies deal with working over Xmas. Is it normally given as additional leave or does it come out of the normal leave allowance?

For the next few years I imagine I will take quite a few days off over Xmas and New Year to spend with DD, I'm unsure whether it's best to offer 20 days leave plus Xmas and bank holidays, or 25 days leave which it is expected will include Xmas plus bank holidays, what is the norm?

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Simplyme · 16/04/2009 20:04

As a general rule of thumb nannies receive 20 days paid holiday per year plus bank holidays. This is usually divided as 2 weeks for nanny to choose dates and 2 weeks for employer to choose.

So you can either choose your 2 weeks over Christmas or another time of year. If you choose to take off more time than the 20 days then your nanny still needs to be paid.

You can either have her work with you at home or if you are away come in and do extras like cooking for freezer/sorting out toys etc or just be lovely and generous and let her have the extra time off!

HTH

nbee84 · 16/04/2009 20:19

Holiday entitlement changed on 01/04/09.

The minimum you can offer someone working a 5 day week is 28 days. You can include all bank holidays in those days.

You can check holiday entitlement here

nannynick · 16/04/2009 20:22

My view is that each nanny will have different expectations. When I worked in retail, working xmas week was expected, so when I changed to nannying I was not expecting to get lots of time off over xmas.
So do ask nannies when you interview them with regard to holidays they expect off, I expect most will want xmas-new year off, but some may prefer only having a few days, thus giving them more days to use later in the year.

Blondeshavemorefun · 16/04/2009 20:32

i have always had minium of 5 weeks- 2 my choice, 2 theirs and a week bewteen christmas and NY

but i am also the exception

tbh if you or daddy are off, i think it is mean to ask the nanny to work - though obv some employers have to work never work for doctors

Original poster

lobsters · 16/04/2009 20:37

Blondes - that was my thinking, partly from a selfish point of view, if I get day off to spend with DD I want her to myself. I get loads of leave, so would be able to offer more leave to a nanny. Hence thinking of 5 weeks.

nbee - interesting about the increased min holiday, hadn't seen that before.

As I type this I know it is quite a stupid question, is it considered bad form to give nannies (paid) days off if I'm taking a day off to spend with DD.

I'm guessing this depends on the nanny, but how would those of you who are nannies feel about very, very occasionally being asked to do overnight care, and being given one or two days off in lieu at a later date.

OP posts:

nbee84 · 16/04/2009 20:41

Extra paid time off is always appreciated

Overnight care with time off in lieu is usually okay too - just make sure you let nannies know about this at the interview stage.

frannikin · 16/04/2009 20:43

Paid time off is great and flexibility with your nanny means she's less likely to be annoyed about overnight care. I'd do it - you sound lovely!

Blondeshavemorefun · 16/04/2009 20:50

extra paid time off is fab

thought tbh I am not sure I would swap a day for a night - but thats just me

i am very happy to do nights and do them often, but I prefer to be paid

you do sound lovely and caring (just like my mb) and sure you will find a lovely nanny

Original poster

lobsters · 17/04/2009 11:20

Money is tighter than time at the moment, so I'm trying to juggle

Thanks for all the advice, so if anyone wants to look after a beautiful little girl in Berkshire from October............

OP posts:

AtheneNoctua · 17/04/2009 13:30

Just want to clarify that Nee's comment about 28 days which can include bank hols is the same as 4 weeks plus bank hols (since there are 8 bank hols). This is obviously prorated if she is not 5 days a week.

I give 4 week plus bank hols.
xmas time is part of her 4 weeks / bank hols.
We agree the dates when I write the contract and I ask her to work with the school breaks.

If I take a day off work and she is working, I will ask her to catch up on some nannie duties (like tidying clothes or toys) while I take the kids out and have a bit mum and kids time. Or DH and I might have a kid free day out (as we did this past Tuesday). You shouldn't feel guilty or mean about this. You are entitled to a holiday too if you want one. If the nanny was totally caught up on all her duties then I'd just give her the day off. But, this is rarely (if ever) the case.

HarrietTheSpy · 17/04/2009 13:38

What a strange idea that just because you have a day off from work it's "mean" to expect the nanny to work. You could need a day off for all sorts of reasons and even if the idea is you're doing some sort of activity with the children for part of that time, you could still need a spare pair of hands. It's not like she wouldn't be getting paid for it. Our previous nannies have ended up with around 8 wks a year off paid, plus other days at half days, as DH is a teacher. But no one has so far questioned why he might need some help on the other weeks he is home.

compo · 17/04/2009 13:44

yes but the nanny might feel a bit in the way or a bit of a spare part with her employer there too, they must prefer not to have the boss around all the time

jura · 17/04/2009 13:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HarrietTheSpy · 17/04/2009 13:59

In our case because it is so much time relatively speaking we have discussed it at interview.NO one has said they've minded, but if they did they could also not take the job. DH can't be expected to skulk around out of the house for ten hours for the many weeks he is home and he does get on with stuff as well - sheds and all that sort of thing.

For the odd day off, I can't think it would be that much of a big deal.

callaird · 17/04/2009 18:33

i have always had minium of 5 weeks- 2 my choice, 2 theirs and a week bewteen christmas and NY

but i am also the exception

Blondes - Not the only exception!! I also have 5 weeks holiday as part of my contract, 2 weeks my choice, 2 weeks of employers choice and a week at christmas.

My bosses are currently away for 4 weeks and I didn't go with them so 2 weeks will be part of their choice and the other 2 weeks are extra paid holiday, I will still have two weeks of my choice later in the year.

callaird · 17/04/2009 18:42

Also Lobsters - If you want to spend time with your baby then your nanny will be delighted but if you do decide to give her the day off please try to give her some notice - I worked for a mum who would phone me at 8am (I started at 8:15) that she didn't need me as she had decided to take the day off, which is fine of course they are her children BUT I had always got up, showered and dressed (couldn't go back to bed after I'd showered!) and we generally had plans with friends or classes which I then had to cancel. Slightly annoying, especially when we had planned a day out at Chessington one day, picnic was made, car was packed and then I had to go to Chessington childless!!!! My nanny friends didn't mind as it was another pair of hands with the children. My charges on the other hand were so upset when they realised they missed it!

LaQuitar · 17/04/2009 19:19

I think it is fine to have day off and still have the nanny (you need to do stuff or even to rest) but i wouldnt do it all the time. I would sometimes offer her the day off as a 'gift' and 'thank you'. it just keeps the nanny happy and the relatioship good.

What i really hate - and i think most nannies do- is the attidute ' oh since i pay the nanny, i MUST use her'.

Blondeshavemorefun · 17/04/2009 19:34

my comment about nannying working when parents are off and being mean - was meant to be over the xmas holiday - thats mean

obv if the parents has a day off to do whatever/doctors/etc then the nanny would work - as it would be a normal day for her

but as often the child would want to be with their parents, and quite rightly so - if you havent got to do anything, then yes its nice to give nanny 1/2day/day off paid and do something with your child

LaQuitar · 17/04/2009 19:46

I dont know if last comment was for me but yes i agree re xmas

Original poster

lobsters · 17/04/2009 20:09

I feel really awkward if I'm home when the cleaner is here, so I think I would feel worse if I was home with nothing to do and was getting under the nanny's feet. Clearly the days when I'm working at home, or have docs sppt etc it would be as described

Callaird - very valid point noted, I have to gove notice to take the day off at work, so shouldn't be a problem.

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 17/04/2009 20:09

no - actually meant it to harriet,as she picked up on it from my post

i have had friends work dec 27,28, 29 etc and BOTH parents there

why cant they spend time with their own children? christmas is about children, (as well as jesus)obv if the parents have to work, then so does the nanny - but if they do have time off, then its nice to give it to the nanny as well

LaQuitar · 17/04/2009 20:14

I guess if they need to go to a busy shopping centre and have 2 or more children i wouldnt mind. But i have worked those days when both parents at home surfing the net! It is very annoying

Blondeshavemorefun · 17/04/2009 20:18

excalty

obv if the parents need to do stuff, then yes the nanny may need to go in,but prehaps to work shorter hours or be there while the parent is out, then go home

my friend works 12hr days and even on those 3 days she still did 7-7 and both mb/db were there, and didnt go out,just lolled in front of tv/in bed till 1pm!!!

i would have said something, maybe like, i will be in tomorrow at 8.30 so that you can leave for shops at 9 - but thats just me

LaQuitar · 17/04/2009 20:35

lol Blondes.
Well read this then.

I was working once xmas eve. Both parents home watching tv, surfing, making endless cups of tea (and mess). Ok so far.

Baby used to sleep for 2 hours in the afternoon. I put him to bed at 3pm. I suppose to finish 5pm. So i said to them that baby asleep, prob for 2 hours, so can i go since is f...ing xmas eve and havnt even done my shopping? And dad replied in a panicky voice: But what if he wokes up before i.e quarter to 5?

And i replied: If he does i can promise you he doesnt bite

LadyG · 17/04/2009 22:01

Like jura 4 weeks plus bank holidays plus time b/t Xmas and New Year. I think a lot of nannies 'expect' this time off however so don't expect them to be grateful for that (or not to resign 6 weeks later 10 days before you are due to go back to work after mat leave [bitter emoticon])

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