Thinking of a nanny - currently using nursery. Some advice please

[Hadeda]

I'm going back to work 4 days a week and the increase in nursery fees (extra day plus extra child) means that we will probably pay just as much for nursery as we would for a nanny.

So I'm thinking about finding a nanny for my DDs, but this is very new territory for me so would be really helpful to talk to people who already have a nanny. I think my issue is that I can see benefits for me in getting a nanny, but not sure what it gives the girls. DD1 is currently at nursery and we have been very happy with that.

For me, I may have an easier evening as I'll get home in time for bath time rather than picking them up from nursery around 6pm and then starting the evening from a standing start (so to speak). Also easier mornings (although those are DH's issue) as we don't have to get them out anywhere. It will also give cover for days when one of them has a minor illness (i.e. the coughs and colds that keep them off nursery). And, with notice, the nanny might be prepared to babysit.

For the girls, they will be looked after at home and have one to one attention. I think I have two worries. First, I'm concerned whether they will have the same opportunity to interact with other children - DD1 has a few little friends at nursery that she talks about and sees twice a week. I'm sure the nanny would go to toddler groups etc but would they make the same group of "friends"? Second thought is whether they will have the same chance to do arts and crafts that DD1 has at nursery. It's mostly just smearing paint on paper and sticking, drawing with crayons, etc. Does a nanny do this? I must be honest, I hardly ever do this sort of thing at home myself but wouldn't like DD1 to stop doing this sort of stuff altogether.

Some other more "practical" questions:

1. DD1 will be just over 2 (probably 27 months) and DD2 will be 10 months. Would a nanny look after two such young girls?
2. I'd ideally like someone to work from 7:30 - 6pm (these are the hours DD1 is at nursery). Would a nanny work these hours?
3. Nursery fees will be about £23,500. Would a nanny work for this gross salary? Nannyjob said average gross salary is £25,500. But I've spoken to a mom I know locally who had a nanny, she told me a nanny costs around £90 a day - which is about £23,400 if the nanny was full time (I calculated that as 90 x 5 (i.e. per week cost) x 52).
4. I only need 4 days a week but know that might be hard to recruit a nanny. So I've thought about a nanny share. I have a friend who will be going back to work around the same time as me who might consider a nanny share. I've assumed she'll be working 3 days a week (which I know is what she wants) and her DD will be 12 months. The nanny would then be looking after 3 very young girls. One day would be my friend's DD only, two days would be all three girls and the other two days would be my DDs. Would a nanny do this or is it just too many small children?

Sorry, lots of questions here so thank you if you've read this far, and thank you even more if you have any advice for me .

While we're on the topic, any idea approximately how much a live-in nanny should be paid in the Greenwich/Blackheath area?

Depends on qualifications/experience and the job! As answers above show we could probably find you a nanny within a set budget, but you may not be paying the market rate/competitive rates and therefore not getting the best nanny you could. It helps if you can tell us a bit about what you're looking for but it could range from £250gross to ££££!

agree a months notice is standard - but then im not the average standard nanny

i am suprised agencys say look 8weeks before, def sounds like they are trying to get rid of the nannies they have on their books for a while

imo (and sure many will disagree) but i think a good nanny wont be able to start the next week as good nannys are normally in jobs and are headhunted/snapped up - but obv not always

Hiya,
My DD was in nursery from 4 months old to 20 months old and then I got a job which meant it was impossible for me to drop off/pick up at nursery times and to be honest I was never that keen on nursery anyway, seemed to be not that much 1 on 1 attention, so I hired a nanny and it has been BRILLIANT. She works 4 days a week 8am-6:30pm and she saves me so much time with doing all the cooking for DD, all her laundry, ironing, and even hoovers up after my (very hairy) cats and puts toys away in playroom etc. DD gets so much more out of having a nanny than she did at nursery and she still socialises loads (that was really important to me) - nannies tend to be friends with other nannies and so meet up for toddler groups, picnics, trips to the zoo etc. I can thoroughly recommend getting a nanny!