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Original poster

Paying the nanny extra?

52 replies

LouLovesAeroplaneJelly · 18/05/2009 10:17

Hypothetical situation here:
If you and your DH were going away for a week leaving the(4)kids with the nanny for the week and she offered to take them away so they would not be hanging around the house over half term, would you give her anything extra in financial compensation? She would not have any time off at all over the week.
Thanks

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Twims · 18/05/2009 10:22

What do you mean take them away?

ilove · 18/05/2009 10:23

Gosh yes! Of course I would!

nannynick · 18/05/2009 10:35

I'm sure you could negotiate a deal. Something along the lines of you pay weekly salary plus all expenses for example. Is she taking them camping?

nbee84 · 18/05/2009 10:36

Whether she takes them away or not you would be paying extra because while you were away she would have them 24/7.

If you are agreeable to her taking them away on a holiday too - then you should pay for the holiday for all of them - but it is entirely up to you whether to agree to a holiday for them all or to have them at home during half term and just have regular activities and day trips out.

Original poster
LouLovesAeroplaneJelly · 18/05/2009 10:39

It's a holiday park (Haven) in Devon. Nannys idea to go away otherwise the kids would be trying to sit in front of tv/computer for a week and all their friends are away too. Nanny is not paying for anything in regards to the trip but its not a holiday for her really. She can't go out anywhere at night as she had the kids to look after.

OP posts:
MaryHuff · 18/05/2009 10:43

Definitely!

Twims · 18/05/2009 10:44

Sounds like a good half term for the kids

Agree that if she has sole charge of them from when you go away until you get back you need to pay her a 24hour a day rate - rather than just her salary and a little extra for the inconvenience.

ThingOne · 18/05/2009 11:22

Definitely pay her more and give her a present - whether nice smellies or a voucher for her favourite shop.

Original poster
LouLovesAeroplaneJelly · 18/05/2009 11:24

Thanks for that. I was not sure what othes would do. I am the nanny not the parents (sorry for the deception but wanted to get a different perspective). They have not offered anything so just wanted to see what others would do. Now the hard bit. Asking.
Thanks
LLAJ

OP posts:
nbee84 · 18/05/2009 11:38

It's not really a holiday for you - so you should definitely be paid extra on top of your normal salary. How much I'm not sure.

StealthPolarBear · 18/05/2009 11:45

Hang on - you are already being paid to have them for 24 hours a day - what the OP is asking is should she be paid extra to do that 24 hours a day elsewhere rather than at home, is that right?
Personally I don't think so, although it is a very nice thing to do

Greensneeze · 18/05/2009 11:46

I'd pay her any travel expenses/some money for treats, and a nice present

if I could afford a nanny, that is

StealthPolarBear · 18/05/2009 11:47

Yes agree with that. I'd be impressed at her (you!) thinking of things to ensure the kids have fun and get exercise rather than getting bored and sitting in front of the computer all the time.
It's only when you get to be an adult and discover MN that that's OK

NotQuiteCockney · 18/05/2009 11:49

Surely the nanny should be getting extra pay for doing 24/7 care (which presumably isn't hte norm?), not for taking them away.

StealthPolarBear · 18/05/2009 11:52

I think she is NQC, or I assume so. If not, definitely need to agree much more money - I assume you usually do about 9 or 10 hour days? You are now doing 24 hour days, with some unsociable hours...is that even legal?!

Original poster
LouLovesAeroplaneJelly · 18/05/2009 11:57

I work 7 until the eldest goes to bed (about 10pm). I am technically meant to have time off during the day but cant go anywhere anyway in case a kid is sick etc (like today and is sleeping so cant hoover). I get paid for a 12 hour day/5 day week. I work more then I get paid. I was just wondering about the pay as I suggested taking them away on my own.
What is an NQC (Am not from Engalnd so some of the educational terms confuse me)?

OP posts:
flowerybeanbag · 18/05/2009 12:04

I would assume that when you agreed to have them completely by yourself 24/7 during half term, you agreed an appropriate amount of extra pay to reflect that extra responsibility.

I don't think you should get extra pay for the fact that the 24/7 care would be outside the home, although I do think the travel expenses should be covered by the parents.

StealthPolarBear · 18/05/2009 12:16

sorry i misunderstood then - agree with fbb

NQC - NotQuiteCockney!

FabulousBakerGirl · 18/05/2009 12:32

I thik expenses should be paid and a bit more to compensate for the extra responsibility of being away from home. It might not be a holiday for you but it will be a nice break from the normal day to day routine.

What will you do if they say no to extra money?

Are you being paid more already for the 24 hour care and you want more on top for the fact it is away from the home?

Original poster
LouLovesAeroplaneJelly · 18/05/2009 12:44

I am not being paid ANYTHING extra. I was asking if you would pay extra as a parent/employer.

OP posts:
TwoIfBySea · 18/05/2009 12:47

Lou, when I was a nanny and did extra work as well as my wages I used to get vouchers and things, to spend in shops I went to. Fair enough I was in my early 20s at the time so they came in handy but they were an extra thank you on top of my pay and I never asked for them.

Would your employers not recompense you in some way as a thank you?

Blondeshavemorefun · 18/05/2009 12:52

what do you mean they are not paying you ANYTHING extra when they go away?

i know you work over your normal hours,(ie to 10pm sometimes) but you let them get away with it

if the parents are away all week of half term, then you are working 24hrs so you are proxy parenting

and you should def be paid extra for this

MrsEricBana · 18/05/2009 12:57

Firstly, great idea to take them away Lou. So when your employers originally asked you to look after the children 24/7 for the week they are away instead of 10hrs/5days (before the Haven thing was even mentioned) was no extra money offered at that point? I would say that it would be fair to pay all your trip related expenses and extra for the extra hours you are working (or a lump sum bonus). It will be a change of scene for you which is good, but you will be on duty the whole time.

flowerybeanbag · 18/05/2009 13:07

It sounded from the OP as though this thread was about the difference between 24/7 care at home and the same care elsewhere.

Did you agree to such a big jump in your hours and level of responsibility for a week with no extra pay? In which case that's the issue that needs addressing, the question of whether you take them away or provide the care at home is very much secondary.

Original poster
LouLovesAeroplaneJelly · 18/05/2009 13:08

Thanks one and all.
I know that I have let myself get into a bad situation regarding wages etc. The parents are not very organised when it comes to paying me. Its always late etc and do not like forking out for anything extra. I let the extra hours slide sometimes but do ask for it when I think I really deserve it. I will ask about the extra pay or something in regards to half term.
I really need to grow some balls. I go back to being a nanny and the ones I had in my old job disappeared.

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