How much do nannies cost in London?? Daycare or Nanny?

[Imelda]

Dear all, wonder if you could help. I work full-time, with my ds (2 1/2) in nursery. DH and I are thinking of trying for another at the end of year, and I have started to think it might be an idea to switch from daycare to a nanny, both for returning to work after maternity (ie for baby) and for DS when he starts school - thus avoiding holiday/after school hideous childcare nightmare issues (sorry - v melodramatic but it just seems SO problematic). We live in SW London - how much more do you think I will be paying out (nursery currently £670 a month)and do you guys have any opininion as to whether this is a sound idea?? thank you..........

Realistically all the nannies in London seem to expect about £250-300 per week. Thats plus their tax and NI so its a pretty chunky sum.

A cheaper option and one which gives care just as good if not better as long as you find the right person is to advertise in your local paper for part time care, suit mother with older children. I have one lady who does mornings and one afternoons. Both have grown up children and really do the job because they want contact with small children again. Neither would want a full time job but they are happy to work half a day. Because money is not their main driver it does work out cheaper although I do pay them reasonably well (£90 pw each).

Plus point is they cover for each other for holidays and sickness and don't mind so much the odd later evening if I'm stuck at work.

I have had the best continuity of childcare ever since I've had these two. You also know that you are getting an experienced mum and not a 20 year old who has just done a childcare course which was my experience with the nannies sent to me by agencies.

Obviously you have to be totally happy you have the right person, but that goes for nannies too.

Does nursery offer a discount for 2nd child? I'm also in SW London but with only 1 child currently, so he's going to nursery. Will have to get promoted before no.2! A local friend uses a nanny as she has two (one just about to start school, the other a bit younger). I've just done some quick calculations, and I reckon the nanny costs her c £1,500 a month, so no saving, but more convenient for the one going to school. I guess it depends on your hours too. What about nanny share? Or wait a couple of years until you can get an au pair?

Hi Imelda - me again! When you're working out the costs don't forget to take into account the grant you'll get for ds when he reaches 3 if you keep him in the nursery. We send ds1 4 days a week so from September it will mean at least £150 less per month for nine months of the year. That will probably be more for full time. Then you'll get 10% discount for the second child.

Ds2 is about to start there and four days for two of them is going to work out at just over £1,000 for nine months of the year, then a bit more for the other three.

We decided to stick with the nursery for a number of reasons, not least because ds1 is really happy there, particularly now he's in pre-school. Also I'm just not as comfortable with a single person looking after them as opposed to a load of nursery staff.

By the way, has your ds had chickenpox yet? Ds1 had it 2 weeks ago and was fine, ds2 has just got it and is miserable.

Thanks all of you for coming back to me on this. 3mum - do you not find that quite complicated having 2 carers? also - are they qualified or just (well not "just"!) mums? Sari - does ds get the vouchers as soon as he is 3? also - what will you do when ds1 starts school - for holidays and after school? not relevant to this thread but do you fancy getting together for a drink/coffee at some point? WOuld love to compare notes on nursery/school etc Au pair is good idea but our house won't be big enough.........

Message withdrawn

My friend recently reemployed her housekeeper (posh daily cleaner) as a nanny for her baby daughter. BUT the woman is in her mid twenties, is Eastern European and is a qualified primary school teacher in her native country, with a degree in psychology. She was fantastic with the baby while my friend was on maternity leave - very loving and practical - so she took her off cleaning and ironing duties (yes, she is pretty well off) and transferred her to baby care, and is working well. I think you can get very hung up on qualifications and I don't think they are the most important thing. If I had another and ds was in nursery p/t (I work from home 3days per week) I'd love to have an au pair to save money but there's no room in the house so might go the daily aupair/mother's help route. I think nannies, if you can afford them, make your life so much easier when you work away from home. I think nannies cost around £90 a day for two children plus tax and NI.

I'd echo that the rate here (Purley) is about £7 p.h. net.I've only ever needed a part-time nanny and have generally had older ones which has been fantastic. Personally would probably favour a nursery over a 19 year old nanny just from the point of view of experience/maturity.

Not having to bother feeding or dressing either child in the morning was a big plus! Also my nannies were happy to babysit (for pay of course!), and could cover me if I was late home at any point. Also meant there was someone at home most of the time to take deliveries!

But don't forget that there can be extra costs - you will have more activities at home so need more consumables. And if your nanny take the children out to Tumble Tots etc then you have to pay. I think this is where an older nanny comes into their own - neither of mine ever incurred any extra expenses: they seemd to know every free activity in a 5 mile radius.

We pay £9 per hour for ten hour day, three days a week for two pre-school kids in W London. When I was looking (this time last year) the going rate was £7-9/hour, but I was fussy about English first language as DD has speech delay, which ruled out some of the cheaper candidates, and the part time thing skews the rate slightly - I think I could have got a share more cheaply, but you lose in flexibility what you save in costs. Bear in mind that many people come to an arrangment with nannies to pay cash on one or two days, therefore only subject to tax/NI on 3/4 days. Also, agencies are v expensive - we found our fab nanny via the noticeboard in the cafe. Finally, we had DD in daycare 'nursery' before DS arrived - now she is in state nursery half days, and (between these particular establishments I stress - huge variations in private nurseries I know) there is no comparison, the state nursery is in a different league. The whole thing is a minefield isn't it - I don't know anyone who is 100% happy and 0% guilty about whatever they manage to arrange - good luck!!

Sorry I should have made it clear that is a 'live out' rate - I assume a live in nanny works out cheaper.

Sorry I should have made it clear that is a 'live out' rate - I assume a live in nanny works out cheaper.

Sorry I should have made it clear that is a 'live out' rate - I assume a live in nanny works out cheaper.

Message withdrawn

Imelda - You don't get the nursery grant as soon as they turn 3 but I'm not sure exactly how it works. Ds1 was 3 in June and will get it from September so maybe it's from the term after they're 3.

I should also have added that after school care and holidays aren't really issues for us as we're both self-employed and I work from home. Another reason for sending the kids to nursery - working with them at home is difficult even with someone else looking after them.

Yes, it would be good to meet. I'll leave my contact details at the nursery for you. Only allowed as far as the door at the moment because of ds2's chickenpox!