Should I pay my babysitter more now that i have a second child??

[mohap]

I have a fantastic lady who has looked after my DS one day a week since he was 6 weeks old (he is now 2). Have now had a second DS, and I'm wondering if I should pay her more if she is looking after both of them (she doesn't always yet as DS2 is still too small to leave for long). I pay her £9.00 p/hr now (Central London prices) which i think is quite generous, although she is worth it. Is it normal to pay more for more than 1 child???

erm, I think we are talking about a nanny... yes? If so, no, I would not raise the hourly pay. But, i would accept that a bit less tidying, coooking, etc,. will be realistic with two little ones.

Actually she doesn't do tidying and cooking, just takes DS out for the day somewhere to run around and use up energy, does that make her a nanny or babysitter I wonder??? Guess I can't really ask her to start now either...

When was her last payrise? And what does your contract say - is it just for your DS, or for subsequent children too?

An extra child doesn't automatically mean a payrise, and most nanny contracts allow for subsequent children too. If she hasn't had a payrise for a while though it may be time for one if you want to keep her.

I don't know what tidying and cooking has to do with it. If she has sole charge of your son on a regular basis and this is not part of an existing childcare business, and she comes to your home to collect and look after him, then I'd say she's your nanny. And, that makes you her employer with a whole host of other responsibilities. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. But, best to be informed, I think!

a babysitter is someone who noramlly looks after children in the evening when asleep

a nanny has charge during the day

I am a childminder, I would charge more for two children than for one. I am self-employed and pay my own tax, am police checked, first aid trained, and have public liability insurance in case anything happens to children in my care etc etc. Nannies charge approx double per hour to me, take care of children and collect them from inside their own homes, and you are liable for their NI conts etc. You really need to be careful if you have no contract with this person simply because unregistered minders have no vetting, no liability, and it is illegal to pay them to care for your children. A reciprocal agreement with a friend is ok, bt money changing hands is not. Take care please :-)

I totally agree with the sentiments about taking care, but a nanny in your own home does not have to be registered (unless you want to pay them with vouchers etc). With that in mind they don't have to have a 1st Aid cert, CRB check or any kind of qualification....

£9hr - gross or net? Fairly usual for central London prices and I wouldn't offer a wage hike. Nannies are paid per hour not per child.

If you don't have a contract get one ASAP - MN is happy to help you.