Cost of live-in nanny/au pair v nursery

efrieze

The nursery that DD went to charges £800 pcm for Mon-Fri am only, and then £1100 for full time. It doesn't seem worth it mix and match nanny with nursery as there won't be much saving!

Thanks for sticking up for me Nicki! I am not sure why people might think that I don't care how good the level of childcare is just because I am considering the cost of all my options!

What about a 'mother's help' - I spoke to one agency that said that it was a live-in nanny without any official nannying qualifications - anyone have any experience of this?

efrieze

minimoneysaver - I am not going to keep my au pair while I am at home on maternity leave and anyway I don't think she would be the right person for the role of primary carer for a baby - she is a bit too young and no experience with babies.

BusyLizzie_3

What about a nanny share - where you share the cost of a nanny with another family?

Toonie

A mothers help is a young, normally unqualified and inexperienced person looking to start off with children. As such they should not be left completely alone with children and would tend to do things like keeping an eye on older children, helping with chores associated with the children and occasionally having care of the children whilst the mother is around.

A live in nanny can expect to earn around £310-£400 a week, with you paying the tax on top. This would be for a 40-50 hour week in central London but would be less depending on whereabouts you live, as nannying wages can differ a lot in London alone (I'm a live out nanny in on the outskirts of London).

Nicki

efrieze wrote: »

What about a 'mother's help' - I spoke to one agency that said that it was a live-in nanny without any official nannying qualifications - anyone have any experience of this?

How much time are you taking off on maternity leave? If you are taking 6 months, it might work to have a mothers help (live in) right from the outset. If you were happy with her, after 6 months she would be fine to look after both kids all day (as she's have as much experience as any new mother!) and you could increase her salary to reflect this to be somewhere between what a mothers help earns and what a fully qualified nanny does. Assuming you could afford her wages whilst on maternity pay of course!

efrieze

I am planning on taking about 5 months. I might consider getting someone part way through my maternity leave (if I do the odd day in the office) and to ease them in to the position. The thing is that my current au pair is fine for the before and after school care for DD but whenever I walk though the door, she retreats to her room. This is fine as we are but I would worry that I would end up paying someone to do nothing when I am around on maternity leave, in which case I might as well not bother having someone IYSWIM.

THanks for the nanny price toonie - at £400 per week + tax, I might as well go down the nursery+au pair route - at least my baby will have the social interaction that DD got (she is a very confident outgoing person becaseu of it, I believe).

Hmm - more to think about. Thanks for all your input.

poppet

Nicki wrote: »

Your post suggests that OP is doing something completely irresponsible in considering having someone look after the child in her own home

Not at all - just highlighting the differences between qualified nanny verus unqualified au pair
Not making any judgments.

minimoneysaver

I am a qualified nanny (I no longer work as a nanny), but I must say, I have met some wonderful au pairs in my time who do an excellent job. That is the reason I suggested that an au pair who has the correct first aid training and safety awareness course could do a super job. The genuine love of children, bond with your family and your trust of course are so important.... can a piece of paper provide that?
You are in a super position to spend time interviewing and getting to know your new childcare provider, while on maternity leave. Trust your little girl's opinion too, children can easily spot fakes!

efrieze

Really helpful minimoneysaver - thanks a lot

Rachie_B

I would use a live out nanny

that could do all day with baby and before / after school with your eldest ,plus holidays ?

there are many groups,activities that the Nanny could take them to

yes,nursery might be good for their social skills but doesnt mean a childminder or nanny isn't

maybe i am biased as i am a nanny myself,and am none too keen on nurseries ( although am sure there are fab ones out there!)

with 2 it will be easier to have someone come to your home,so dont have the rush of getting both ready for school / nursery etc aswell as yourself off to work.

You would also have the back up of (nanny) being there if the eldest is ill or sent home from school / has an inset day etc

Have a look on www.nannyjob.co.uk for salaries ,or contact some local Nannying agencies and ask what you would be expected to pay

Good luck in your decision

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