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Sharing a Nanny

There are plenty of families who would love the luxury of hiring a nanny but dismiss the idea because they only need part-time care or because they think the costs will be too high.

Sharing a nanny works brilliantly for those looking to keep costs down or who perhaps need only part-time childcare, but don't want to compromise on either quality or flexibility.

Due to the economic downturn loads of families are struggling to afford any type of childcare and loads of nannies are out of work. If you pair up with a friend or another mum form your mothers group you can half the cost of childcare and having a nanny becomes more realistic.
If you would like more information on sharing, how to go about it or would like to reduce the cost of your present nanny - please contact me I have families asking if I know others in a similar position..

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Permalink Reply by smc-racing1 on February 9, 2009 at 21:23

Hi
I am looking for daycare for my 2 1/2 year old. I am unsure of what I should do. I have removed him from 2 centres where lack of care and/or basic needs were not met. I do not think I have expected too much and after my conversations with other childcare workers I have experienced breaches of care. I start early mornings, at the moment I need to be heading to work by 6am but I would prefer to leave earlier. I am always home by 12 noon. I find it frustrating paying for full days of care. I would like to hear more about sharing a nanny.

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Permalink Reply by Preeti on February 16, 2009 at 11:44

Hi, I would love to consider the services of a shared nanny instead of child care for my one year old baby. I think at this stage a home environment and a one on one care is what my baby needs most. Where does one find information about parents and nannies who are willing to consider shared services for a specific area ? Cheers PM

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Permalink Reply by Jan Fazey on February 24, 2009 at 15:57

Hi
Sharing a nanny is very big in Europe and the Uk it is only starting to take off here and it will develop as childcare costs continue to increase. At the moment their are not alot of places that you can get information from. Most mums start with their mother's group, pehaps going back to work at a similar time with a child around the same age and living in close proximity. Once both mums are organised and thought through the logistics the next step is to either advertise privately or go to an agency to select a nanny that has the experience. Some mums give up as it seems dificult to begin with, I have started to give advise on areas to consider and where the pitfalls are in organising a share arrangement. I am also starting to gather interested families information in the attempt to match them up with another share family. Some of these families already have a nanny in place and would like to meet up with another family that is in the same mind. The biggest plus nanny share gives is more personalised care and social interaction for children especially the under 2's at a more realistic cost. I am happy to discuss and advise on each indivdual need, my contact details are on the members page. Cheers Milestonz

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Permalink Reply by geetha on March 4, 2009 at 15:11

i have a baby two years old and would love to share a nanny-will be more affordable.can i have more info on it please.i live at newlambton,nsw.
thanks
geetha

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Permalink Reply by Melissa Hollow on March 7, 2009 at 7:08

As I have newly started studying childcare I have done a lot of online a reading bout nanny share and I think that it will really start to take off as a standard care option. It makes it affordable for parents without compromising care and it great for the careers as well. When I start looking for work in the next few weeks as a private babysitter I would definitely be open to the idea of nanny sharing.

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Permalink Reply by Jemma Bishop on March 11, 2009 at 10:06

I am in the process of moving to Port Lincoln, South Australia and am interested to find out if there is anyone in the area keen to Nanny Share - i am in the process of hiring a Nanny but as i own my own business will only be working 2.5 days per week. As much as i like Child Care in the sense that it will give my son (whos 3) a chance to interact with other children (as we dont know many people in Port Lincoln) i prefer the option of In Home Care as then i know he is getting the same amount of attention as if i was home with him - Nanny Sharing appeals to me as it will give the best of both worlds so if there is anyone in the area keen please contac me.

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Permalink Reply by RAchael Welman on March 11, 2009 at 19:47

I Think it is a fantastic Idea. I have just got a casual job and only know my roster a week in advanced and every week will change therefore I have to book my 22mth old son into full time care because I cannot get a carer to go casual M-F .
Its going to cost me a fortune. I would love to share a nanny I think it would really suite my situation

Regards
Rachael

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Permalink Reply by Jemma Bishop on March 13, 2009 at 10:08

are you in Port Lincoln Racheal? if you are i would love to discuss this more with you.

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Permalink Reply by Angela Rhys-Jones on March 17, 2009 at 11:58

I have been a Nanny who two families shared. It worked very well. It started when the family I was an after school/school holiday and sickness Nanny for asked me if one of their friends son could join us. It was agreed that when I had the two families I got more money and when I had only the first family I got the same rate I got before the other child joined us.

It was in the UK and the way it worked was I earned 7GBP when I had one family and 10GBP per hour for the hours when I had the extra child. Each family therefore paid 5GBP per hour instead of 7GBP for just one family.

I am still looking for a similar position here in Rockingham if anyone in this area is thinking of an after school carer/school holiday cover/child sickness Nanny then please feel free to contact me: angierhysjones@yahoo.com.au

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Permalink Reply by manuka on March 17, 2009 at 12:21

I'm on my second round of nanny-sharing now - I shared with a friend from mother's group for my oldest for a year, and am now sharing with our next door neighbour for our two 9-month-old girls. It is a fantastic arrangement, not only because it's so convenient and you have so much control over the environment, but also because the children can form really strong friendships which may last through to other childcare situations or even school.

The disadvantages of nanny sharing are of course financial - it is more expensive and you don't get the tax rebate. And if the nanny is sick or unavailable you can be left in the lurch at the last minute. I went through several very stressful weeks with unreliable nannies. You need very good lines of communication with your share partner - all sorts of issues will come up and the money side of things can be complicated. But when it all goes well I think it is really the ultimate childcare solution for looking after your little ones :)

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Permalink Reply by Jan Fazey on March 17, 2009 at 13:50

There should be no disadvantages in the financial side of nanny share as the costs are halfed for in home care. In Sydney the rate of pay for a nanny in sole charge depending on their experience ranges from $22-$25 per hour, with some very qualified nannies on $30 an hour.
If you are asking a nanny to do a share position you should be considering offering between $27-$30 ie the max one family pays is $15. A contract should be drawn up so that paid sick days, annual holidays and public holidays are discussed and agrees between all the parties so that no grey areas appear later on. Superanuation is calculated at 9% of the gross wage if the nanny is employed over 30hrs. A lot of nannies are working on their own ABN no as full time positions are in decline and they may work for more than one family or if in a share role one family mayneed more hours so then the nanny contracts to each family, invoices each family and calculates holiday pay, super and tax.

Other important points to consider apart from budget:

Are the families close enough - so the nanny is not under pressure travelling miles between houses. It is best to consider alternate weeks or fortnights so that each child has the same advantage of being in their own enviroment and they also learn to accept and settle in new places. Alternating also means the household costs of in-home caring are shared

Are parenting views similar - these should be discussed prior to employing a nanny and then discussed with the nanny before offering a position - everyone should be on the same page and communication is vital.

Are the daily logistics doable - depending on ages of the children - flexibility and compromise is the best way forward. Remember if children are in childcare centers the daily routine is the same for each child, nanny share offers more freedom for each child.

A share arrangement is a partnership between both families and the nanny, the advantages out weigh the disadvantages. The children have more one on one care more important for the under 2's , with the added advantage of developing socilaising skills which can be helpful for toddlers before entering pre-school.

Not all nannies are suitable or relish the idea of a share arrangement and you should look for a nanny that has had previous experience in a similar role, cared for twins,multiple births or children close in age. It may take a little more time for a nanny and children to settle into a workable routine. Once again communication and periodic sit down chats with both mothers and nanny is so important.
Nannies like children do get sick from time to time,having a back up plan is always a good idea - a little easier with two households rather than one, the problem is halfed and no different if a child is sick and can't go to daycare.
If you would like any advice on sharing contact jan@milestonz.com.au