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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Need advice on getting a nanny

5 replies

LeonoraW · 09/05/2010 20:00

Hi, I have loads of questions about nannies (I'm about to try to get one) and wonder if anyone can answer a few...

Firstly, where is the best place to advertise/look for a nanny

Second, I'd like to do a nannyshare with a friend, but between us we have four children (aged 4, 31/2 and we have a one-year-old baby each). The eldest two will be at school/nursery most of day - basically, is it likely i'll be able to find a nanny for that many children and if so, how much do you think they will charge?

Lastly, what is the average pay for a nanny per hour if it's just two kids they are looking after.

Thanks

OP posts:
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nannynick · 09/05/2010 23:12

There is no best place. What works for one part of the country may not work for another part. You don't say where you are located, so I have no idea if you are City, Rural or geographically where you are.

Some of what I view as being the more popular Nanny recruitment websites are:
www.nannyjob.co.uk
www.childcare.co.uk

Gumtree.com has a section for nannies as well.

If you are wanting a live-out nanny, then advertising locally may work well - such as in a newsagents window, village magazine, local paper, other local advertising.

Nannies don't charge per child. In fact nannies don't charge at all... they are an employee so YOU set the price and they decide if they want to work for you or not.

Again what Salary you would be looking at offering will depend on your location. For example, London tends to be a higher cost than Home Counties. Midlands seems to be lower than Home Counties.

Salary you would want to offer may also depend on the person's experience. Given you want them to care for 4 children under 5, then you may be wanting someone with a lot of experience, especially of toddlers give there will be two toddlers.

A share can up the cost... as the nanny may feel a premium is required to help compensate for the inconveniences such as having two sets of parents to keep happy, two sets of parents to negotiate holiday with, managing possibly up to 4 different types of childcare voucher (if you, your dh, your friend, your friends dh, can all get vouchers from your work... plus if the nanny is registered to accept them).

In Home Counties I would expect you are looking at £10-£14 gross an hour. In London that could rise to £12-16 gross an hour. As a share I expect it will be towards the higher level of these ranges.

Have a look at other nanny job adverts for your area, that may help give you some idea of what other parents are suggesting they may offer someone... after-all someone looking to work with you will also be looking at other local nanny jobs.

With 4 under 5's... what happens about a car? Will you be supplying a car? As a nanny my car would not take 4 under 5's in the rear... the front seat would need to be used.

Doesn't matter if it's two children or 4 children... nannies are not paid per child... it's more a case per family. If it was just care for your children and not the other families, then salary may be around the lower level of the ranges given earlier.

tipsey · 10/05/2010 07:05

How would the nanny get to and from nursery with four children?

Are the bigger two happy to walk there and back?

I dont think she would be able to take four under 5's in car seats in one car so it would involve you getting a double buggy and the eldest two to walk both ways.

Strix · 10/05/2010 13:08

I had a nanny who did this when mine were 2 and 4 (and other family was 1 and 4). The two little ones went in the biggy and the older 2 walked. Older 2 were always happy about walking, but they did (and in my opinion it was good for them).

Blondeshavemorefun · 10/05/2010 14:19

are the school/nursery near each other because as wonderful as us nannies are, we cant spilt ourselves in 2 for drop off/pick up

you will need to previde a car for 4 under 5's tho walking is good for them as well

as nick said wages vary so much on area and age/exp of nannies and tbh you will need a very exp organised nanny for those ages

eastmidlandsnightnanny · 10/05/2010 16:44

Hello cant see 4 children being an issue as long as nurseries/school are close enough to get both there and collect on time, also transport will you provide a nanny car big enough for 4 car seats/booster seats or will you look for a nanny with a suitable car (could reduce your potential applicants).

Advertising wise you could use an agency or try netmums and gumtree and also childcare.co.uk

Have a clear contract not only for nanny but a signed contract/agreement between families involved ie- notice period to leave share, what happens with annual leave for nanny will you choose a week each then nanny choose rest? what happens when nanny is sick? what happens if your children are sick are the other part of share happy for children still to mix? etc etc

Nanny rates vary but you would want an experienced nanny for 4 children and shares tend to be a slightly higher rate than normal so depending where you are a gross rate of £10-£15 an hr would be acceptable.

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