Nannies
A nanny comes to your house each day (or may live in your house) and looks after your children during daytime hours (usually between 10 and 12 hours per day). Nannies usually have sole charge of the children in their care but some nannies work alongside a parent. The main difference between a mother’s help and a nanny is that a nanny’s primary duty is childcare, and a mother’s help is generally there to assist the parent with both childcare and housekeeping duties. If you go out to work, you will need a nanny rather than a mother’s help.
The primary duties of a nanny include:
- ensuring the safety and well-being of the children in her care
- giving the children affection, support and encouragement
- educational and creative stimulation
- organising and supervising social activities
- providing nutritious meals
- bathing the children
- keeping bedrooms and communal areas clean and tidy, and
- being responsible for the children's laundry.
This list should is not exhaustive and you may wish to include other specific duties like food shopping or ironing. In any event all these duties should be clarified in a written contract of employment (I can provide a draft).
Nannies are usually paid around £9 per hour (net), Most full-time daily nannies earn around £450+ net per week. A live-in nanny will usually cost you around £300+ net per week. Although nanny salaries are usually quoted net, you should specify a gross salary in the contract to limit your exposure to tax liability.
Some nannies work for two families at once, either bringing the children together each day at one of the families' houses, or working part of the week for one family, and the rest of the week for another. Another form of nanny sharing is employing a nanny with her own child.Mothers' helps
A mother's help assists the mother in the home with childcare and light housework. She does not usually have sole charge of the children, but may do if agreed. If you have just had a baby and need some general help with housework, laundry and/or your other children, this could be for you. A mother's help will not necessarily be qualified but should have some experience of childcare and good references. There is no formal training available for mother's helps.After-school carers
If your children are at school, you will not necessarily need a full-time nanny. After-school carers are usually employed for around 3-4 hours a day to collect from school and make the tea, help with homework etc. Some work all day in the school holidays. This type of work sometimes suits students (who are studying in the mornings) or nannies with their own children. These positions can include the morning school run and general housekeeping duties as well.