Advice - Nannies bringing their children to work

[elderflower]

I'm currently on the look out for a nanny and as my child is an only child I'm concerned about him having some company and learning to socialise. I have the room to have more than one child so I have been looking into a nanny share. Whilst on the look out I've noticed a few nannies with their own children who are around the same age as my child.

I've had nannies before and paid them a full hourly/daily rate. I was getting full one on one attention for my son. Nanny shares seem to split the cost of childcare between the families involved per child, so less attention but you get company and share the brunt of cost.

Now, I've spoken to a few nannies with their own child. In this situation apparently I buy the double buggy, the second high chair and whatever else the nannies child needs, I host the nanny and her child thus paying utilities and rent for the situation. I also still pay the nanny full hourly rate same as I would for sole charge.

I don't think this seems right? I don't mind providing the extras but it seems to me it is sharing a nanny and the rate should reflect that?

I'm interested to hear from anyone who may have hired a nanny who brought their child to work or any advice regarding rates. Some people seem quite demanding on the money front without really explaining what I'm paying extra for?

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

That is not right, as a nanny, when I go back to work as a mummy nanny I will be charging ?6 an hour simply because I have my own child along also so for me it works out the same price roughly as a nanny share. Usually I would charge ?8-10 for a sole charge so depending on experience I think ?5-7 an hour for a mummy nanny is about right.

[LeilahB]

I have a nanny with her own child and we pay her ?8.

[Keef]

Heidi, put your prices up!

[new mother]

That's taking the mickey.

why would anyone employ a mummy nanny if they had extra costs and half the woman's attention???

makes no sense whatsoever.

I wouldn't employ a mummy nanny by the way EVER because, if a problem develops, her instinct will quite correctly and automatically be to look after her own child and there's no way I want my child to come second in a dangerous situation.

Of course it's unlikely this would ever occur but the fact that it just might is more than enough for me and overrides considerations such as sociability.

[new mother]

Elderflower, sorry - I've realised I committed an irritating sin of giving my view without it being asked for, in my post above. I don't know how to edit so please just ignore or excuse me instead. THanks

[elderflower]

Its a valid point new mother, no worries. I like discussion!

I'd thought of it but I think its worth assessing on the individual basis. On a positive I think there was generally be more love in the care as the mother would hopefully be caring for their child and friend. Pros and cons I think. I think it's fair to say there was a correlation between the woman who wanted me to provide everything, pay her ?10 after tax and then ignored my child at the interview whilst fussing over her who own child.

Thanks for the advice ladies. Heidi, I think you'd be well to charge more than ?6 an hour, I think nannies are worth more than the minimum age.

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

I am sure there are some mums who would fuss over their child more but I know lots of mums who do not. If you love kids, you would be able to devote quality time to both, it is the same thing with nanny shares, you get some nannies favouring one child over the other but most nannies will give each child quality time. The point of having two children in yoru care be it via nanny share or a mummy nanny is to enable both children to interact and grow up with each other. It is company for the children and it teaches them to share among other things. I come from a large family and as my son is an only child, he misses out on a sibling, a nanny share is great for us as he gets a substitute sibling, and hopefully a long lasting friendship since they will be growing up and hitting milestones together.

A sole charge nanny looking after just one child charges ?7-10 an hour, so a nanny share would usually be ?5-7 an hour, a childminder is usually ?5 an hour, so I would expect a mummy nanny to be around ?5-7 an hour, I honestly would not expect ?8+ an hour when I would get that as a sole charge nanny, and I would not feel right calling in that because as you stated we are using your house, your food, your utilities. Regarding the highchairs, cot etc, could you not get it second hand and split the cost? or she puts what she can afford towards it? A booster seat and travel cot don;t cost much these days.

[LeilahB]

Just to say that we've had a really positive experience - our nanny is lovely (with both of them) and as our children are the same age has been very 'tuned into' the same issues as I have been at the same time, and the girls really seem to love spending time together (my daughter spends a lot of time asking where they both are when I'm at home).

[new mother]

Thanks Elderflower.

NB nanny rates are generally quoted NET of tax whereas eg the min wage is still subject to tax...

[bawdy-nan]

The two nannies I have had (after-school) have brought their children with them and it has been absolutely brilliant. My kids love having a younger child to play with/ "look after" / talk to etc. In fact when our nanny left us to have a second child we asvertised for a nanny with her own child because it has worked so well. In terms of pay I paid roughly what a nanny share would be - so a discount for me.