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What is a Nanny & Mothers Help?
A Nanny is a qualified (UK) professional with a sensitive understanding of your childs needs, as well as your own. The importance of balancing discipline with love and affection without taking over the parental role. As they are involved with your child's important formative years it is her aim to create a happy and caring environment so as to develop sound foundations for your child's social physical and intellectual development. Above all, she/he must have a genuine love and affection for children, as well as an abundance of enthusiasm, patience and tolerance.
A Nanny should be at least 18 years of age and hold a certificate/diploma in NNEB, NAMCW, BTec NVQ etc., and have a minimum of 2 years training with practical and theoretical experience covering a range of child-care and educational skills including childhealth, development, basic sociology and first aid, and should be able to cope with sole charge. The term for an unqualified nanny is Mothers Help.
What Duties do they do?
The complete care of children.
Emphasis is put on nutrition and cookery as a fundamental aspect of every child's health.
Responsibility of the children's laundry, rooms, as well as their own.
Organization and supervision of the children's social activities.
What do I pay them and how?
A nanny's salary can vary considerably; some factors which can effect the salary a family will need to pay include:
- The number of hours care is needed each week
- Geographic region of country
- Whether position is live-in or live-out (in some areas a live-in nanny's salary is less; in other parts of the country there is little or no difference)
- The nanny's experience
- The number of children and the job responsibilities.
- Benefits, such as health insurance.
A residential nanny is looking at about £130 plus per week. A daily nanny is looking at about £40. plus per day. The salary range can be between £130 to £600 per week depending on age, experience, qualifications, location, driver/non-driver etc. Mothers Helps an inexperienced nanny at the lower end of the scale. When browsing our site, remember that salaries are always negotiable!
These figures are just guidelines, local job market and specific employment conditions cause considerable variation. Be aware that these are "gross wage" figures, before payroll taxes have been deducted.
Our members pages go into detail on how you can pay your nanny the simple way without all the hassles of PAYE & Tax.
What skill level nanny should I employ?
On this site you will find people looking for nanny jobs that vary from no experience to many years of experience. In making your decision on what is the minimum level of experience that you are looking for; something to take into consideration are: salary you are paying, is there a stay at home parent, age of children, number of children and number of hours that the nanny will be alone with your children.
Of course, if there is a stay at home parent and the nanny job can be more of a "Mothers Help" job. Many parents need an extra pair of hands to help out with the children. A young and inexperienced person may do very well in this type of job. If the job involves pre-school age children and there will not be a parent at home, it is important to have an experienced nanny there. It is critical, if there is a newborn of infant, that only an experienced nanny be employed. If you have school-aged children experience may be less important because they will be able to inform you of what the nanny does.
How do I employ a Nanny?
After you have found a nanny that you think best suits your family, if she is not local, it is customary for you to help towards her travel expenses to come and see you. We suggest that if possible you meet the nanny in person before employing her. Have her come and spend a weekend, or have her work a "trial week" before formally employing her. Some families deduct the traveling expenses from their salary later.
Employing a live-in Nanny?
Working hours and free time.
Employment in a private household is such that it is difficult to define hours of work and free time. However, an average working day is 8-10 hours with 1.5 to 2 days free per week and at least one free weekend per month (usually Friday night to Sunday night, totalling 48 hours).
Normally 2 evenings babysitting per week for residential positions can be expected.
How do I interview a Nanny?
First of all do a telephone interview to see if you have a rapport with the nanny. We suggest that if a nanny seems like they might be a good fit for your family you should interview her more than once, preferably by both parents, before offering her the position.
Our members pages offer help & guidance on interviewing techniques.
What is the difference between a Nanny & Mothers Help?
A Mothers Help is a common name for a nanny in the UK who has childcare experience but has not taken any formal childcare qualifications such as NNEB / Btec or NVQ's. If a qualified nanny is not within your budget, then a Mothers Help may be a good alternative. You should Interview and check their working background in the same way you would a nanny.
The complete care of children.
Emphasis is put on nutrition and cookery as a fundamental aspect of every child's health.
Responsibility of the children's laundry, rooms, as well as their own.
Organization and supervision of the children's social activities.
What do I pay them and how?
A nanny's salary can vary considerably; some factors which can effect the salary a family will need to pay include:
- The number of hours care is needed each week
- Geographic region of country
- Whether position is live-in or live-out (in some areas a live-in nanny's salary is less; in other parts of the country there is little or no difference)
- The nanny's experience
- The number of children and the job responsibilities.
- Benefits, such as health insurance.
A residential nanny is looking at about £130 plus per week. A daily nanny is looking at about £40. plus per day. The salary range can be between £130 to £600 per week depending on age, experience, qualifications, location, driver/non-driver etc. Mothers Helps an inexperienced nanny at the lower end of the scale. When browsing our site, remember that salaries are always negotiable!
These figures are just guidelines, local job market and specific employment conditions cause considerable variation. Be aware that these are "gross wage" figures, before payroll taxes have been deducted.
Our members pages go into detail on how you can pay your nanny the simple way without all the hassles of PAYE & Tax.
What skill level nanny should I employ?
On this site you will find people looking for nanny jobs that vary from no experience to many years of experience. In making your decision on what is the minimum level of experience that you are looking for; something to take into consideration are: salary you are paying, is there a stay at home parent, age of children, number of children and number of hours that the nanny will be alone with your children.
Of course, if there is a stay at home parent and the nanny job can be more of a "Mothers Help" job. Many parents need an extra pair of hands to help out with the children. A young and inexperienced person may do very well in this type of job. If the job involves pre-school age children and there will not be a parent at home, it is important to have an experienced nanny there. It is critical, if there is a newborn of infant, that only an experienced nanny be employed. If you have school-aged children experience may be less important because they will be able to inform you of what the nanny does.
How do I employ a Nanny?
After you have found a nanny that you think best suits your family, if she is not local, it is customary for you to help towards her travel expenses to come and see you. We suggest that if possible you meet the nanny in person before employing her. Have her come and spend a weekend, or have her work a "trial week" before formally employing her. Some families deduct the traveling expenses from their salary later.
Employing a live-in Nanny?
Working hours and free time.
Employment in a private household is such that it is difficult to define hours of work and free time. However, an average working day is 8-10 hours with 1.5 to 2 days free per week and at least one free weekend per month (usually Friday night to Sunday night, totalling 48 hours).
Normally 2 evenings babysitting per week for residential positions can be expected.
How do I interview a Nanny?
First of all do a telephone interview to see if you have a rapport with the nanny. We suggest that if a nanny seems like they might be a good fit for your family you should interview her more than once, preferably by both parents, before offering her the position.
Our members pages offer help & guidance on interviewing techniques.
What is the difference between a Nanny & Mothers Help?
A Mothers Help is a common name for a nanny in the UK who has childcare experience but has not taken any formal childcare qualifications such as NNEB / Btec or NVQ's. If a qualified nanny is not within your budget, then a Mothers Help may be a good alternative. You should Interview and check their working background in the same way you would a nanny.
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