Feeding Nannies?!? Post Reply

[elizad]

Hello,

We have a live in nanny and have always said she could eat whats in the fridge. I also ask for a weekly shopping list for things she likes and I then order in whatever food she wants. I think she struggles thinking of things and has suggested that it may be best if she takes money to go buy her own food...

I know some people do this but wouldnt have a clue as to how much ?!? Also if its a figure do they buy everything or just part?!?! Any advise would be very welcome... Many thanks!!!

[uptheoctave]

I have no experience in this but if you're happy to supply her with her own food, why don't you tell her to buy what she wants, give you the receipts and then you'll reimburse her?

[MGMidget]

Is she proposing to do all her own cooking separately from you then? Do you currently cook some meals for her and the rest of the family? There is a risk that you will have more wasted food (and hence wasted money) if she is sometimes buying her food and cooking it and sometimes you are since you will never be sure how much food to buy and will be purchasing extra food for her in case you are including her in a meal.

[bile]

I ve been living nanny in the past....but thats ridiculous....i mean,im sure there is something she likes,depending on how much she is payed..and your budget and as long her list of foods is reasonable..then what can you do....I dont understand,good luck,its worth if she is good nanny..i mean how much can she spend..))
good luck!!!

[nvmof3]

My current live in nanny eats us out of house and home. She eats in one meal something that would last my family of 5 a cOuple of days. And her list of thongs she wants me to buy gets ever more exotic and long. I'm going along with it so far but when she leaves, I'm planning on a different system. I'm planning to say that the next one can eat anything from the fridge and cupboards except meat and fish. I will then give her cash to buy her own meat and fish. I'm thinking £10/£15 per week. Do people think that is reasonable?

[nvmof3]

Sorry! I meant things not thongs!!!!

[acachildcarers]

I'm surprised that a nanny would do this, as a previous nanny myself and owner of a nanny agency now I was always so worried about eating the wrong thing and leaving the family short I used to buy my own lunch, although in my contracts it says that food is provided I just get concerned that the family may have food planned and would come home after a long day and have nothing. I know so many of our nannies that we have on our books now are the same - we're a conscientious bunch!

Nannies that are hired out by families through us either on a short or long term basis, if food is included with the family then they usually menu plan, some cook for their families as well and the families take it in turns with the nannies -maybe we are just a unique breed?!

I think if you are to give your nanny a budget for food the best thing to consider is a) what you are paying now compare it to b) what would you pay if she/he was live out and then meet in the middle, but she would need to cover all her food. I agree with the person above, if she was to buy her own meat and fish but share your vegetables and sundries then £10-15 would be more than adequate (how much meat can one person eat!?)

[susiep23]

I agree. I am a live in nanny and i too feel very concious about not appearing to eat too much or not raiding the fridge incase said lasange was intended to be eaten by my emploeyr when they got home. Although i am always told "yeah help you'reself to anything" what we (my nanny family) do is during the week i might write down a few things i may like for folliwng week i.e tuna, salad or whatever and a shopping order is made sunday night for delivery monday.

I have a kitty for the lil one i look after, for groups or food for him (i.e veg to puree, he's weaning still) and this includes if i say run out of milk for me or family but definately 10-£15 is well enough a week id say.
Im quite a simple eater so just have like potatoes, pasta. I would feel bad asking for expensive things as ur already living rent free no bills so shouldt take the biscuit.. lol

[nannyforurangels]

Some nannies eat less some more. I used to be live in and sometimes I got asked what would i like when family went for shopping but I couldn`t think of anything at the spot as the shopping were not regular or planned ahead but if i got something for myself and showed receipt i got reimbursed of course it was only little things nothing expensive. Getting 10-15 a week is enough even for better eaters lol. And sussiep there are some nannies that like more then tuna and pasta and asking for little extras it`s not taking mickey as free accommodation it`s part of living nanny package you pay less your nanny but provide food and accommodation.

[susiep23]

yeah i understand some eat more some less but iv herd stories where a families nanny ate the intended roast meat for dinner for a family for her lunch for one person.

ofcourse you can ask for few extras i.e snacky bits im just saying i wouldnt go mad myself personally as id feel i was taking advantage

[RJW81]

I'm not a live-in nanny, but when I was I was always cautious about eating things that my employers had designated for their dinner - in fact I still worry about that now! One employer had a system whereby things on a particular shelf were reserved for them and anything else was for anyone to eat - them, me, or the children. If i see something that looks important (like a whole roast joint for a family dinner!) I either leave it, or text/call to ask! I am very aware of not eating the fridge and cupboards bare, and any kinds of little treats I buy for myself with my own money!