How does adding a new baby affect a nannyshare financially? Post Reply

[lalectrice]

In a straightforward nannyshare in which two children are cared for, what happens when one mum has a new baby and wants to add it in to the share arrangement? Does the nanny get paid more for looking after three children? Does the mum of one pay less than the mum of two? Your knowledge and experience on this would be useful! Thanks.

[BettyBoo]

I don't have experience of this but I would assume that the nanny should be paid more and that the mum with two children in the mix should pay their share. With 2 children it is 50/50 split of what the nanny charges for 2 children. E.g if £12/hr that £6 each. If 3 children and your nanny wants £15 p/hr then that's £5 for mum of one and £10 for mum of two.

What's the nannies view? Has she agreed to the 3 way share, has she stated her increased rate? Also are you happy with the new addition?

Hopefully you will get replies from both parents and nannies who have experience of this.

[MGMidget]

A nanny is an employee so she is paid to do the job, not charging per child like a self employed childminder. I would look at how her responsibilities will change and decide if a pay rise is appropriate to look after 3 children including a baby. I would consider what is the market rate for the job rather than automatically increasing her pay substantially for a new baby.

Regarding splitting the cost between families, I've not done a nanny share but I would say splitting proportionately by number of children is a good starting point (so 1/3 to 2/3 split) for discussion.

[pearlywhite]

I agree with the above poster. A nanny is not paid per child so you wouldn't necessarily need to double your childcare costs.

You will however need to have a chat with the other family in the share and the nanny herself and work out and appropriate split of the costs.

Bear in mind that whilst I'm sure your nanny is more than capable of looking after three children very well, the requirements of a little baby will affect the level of care/attention she gives to the other family's child. This is in no way intentional, but it does happen. In which case I'm assuming they'd want to pay less.

Good luck.

[shellbell83]

The nanny will have alot more work to do, so should be paid more!!

[coolmum]

£15ph for a nanny! I'm obviously in the wrong profession. Worked out on an 11 hour day that's a £50k salary!

[BettyBoo]

Haha. I know but I think the good ones are worth their weight in gold. You would have to pay me 3x that to work 11hrs a day to look after 3 children full time.

[Almaceti]

I agree with coolmum; as a lawyer I earn far less than that.
And why would the mum of two pay 10 pounds in a nanny share when she could pay the same (or even 9 or 8) for her own nanny? the share should remain advantageous for every party.

[nanny_search]

This is the situation I'm faced with, Almaecti. It's basically 7 or 8 an hour for my 2 boys in a share or 9/10 for my own nanny. It does make a massive difference over a year that kind of difference, but for the convenience of having my own nanny and not having to work around another family's needs it might be worth it.

An existing nanny share is worth its weight in gold. I'm finding it next to impossible to find a family with one baby who want to share with my 2.

[HannaMatNurse]

Hi when I did nannyshare and one family added a newborn to be in my care they pay went from £12ph and 50/50 share at £6 per family to £15ph. The baby did Takr up alot of my time but both families wanted to continue the share as the big brother and the child in the other family was so used to eachother. The family with 2 children paid £9 and the other family still £6.

It benefited the family with the newborn to stay in the share and pay 9, as a baby nurse or maternity nurse costs £15 and doesn't include care of older siblings.

I did 12 hrs days and think all childcarers should get paid well as we are looking after the lives of your little loved ones!

Hope your new arrangement works out and that your nanny is fantastic with all children together!

[coolmum]

I agree it shouldn't be a low salary but paramedics and some doctors get paid less than nannies and these days you don't a degree to train as one!

I think £10ph to look after 3 children is sufficient.

My opinion.

Have you tried seeing if you can find a nanny for £10ph for 3 children?

With regards to paying more for better nannies, I've seen some nannies who get paid a high wage and appear to never interact with the children and nannies on a lower wage who are worth their weight in gold.

Good luck.

[MGMidget]

I would be wary of falling into the trap of overpaying in this new situation because of wanting to keep the same nanny for the existing children. The dynamics will change with a new baby anyway and the current nanny may not turn out to be as great with three children including a baby as she was with the two children.

I would consider offering the potential for a discretionary bonus if she copes well with the transition (maybe after 6 months of being responsible for baby plus the two children) and then at the next pay review consider what sort of payrise her abilities at looking after 3 children merits.

[lily311]

I got £1 extra when new baby joined, and was on £12.40 net per hour (can't remember gross). The pay went to 1/3-2/3 which now I think was not very fair, I would certainly recommend 40/60% split now.