How does nanny share
work?
There are several different types of nanny shares:
Complete share: share
a nanny five days a week with children being looked
after together.
Part time share: families
share a nanny and children are looked after together
for two or three days a week.
Split week share: families
share a nanny and children are looked after separately
- e.g. half the week with one family and half the
week with another.
Main family share: one
family employs a nanny full time and shares with
another family for part of the week
The share can take place at one child's house
one day and the other's the next or operate on
a week here, week there basis. Parents that work
at home might want to consider a share where their
children are mainly based out of the house.
Nanny shares generally work on a live-out basis
unless one family decides to have the nanny living
in and the other family pays half the wages and
tax and contributes to the host family's costs.
Choosing a nanny share:
When choosing a nanny share the advice is the same as choosing a
nanny. Even if you are interviewing a nanny who is very popular
with another family, make up your own mind. Don't
just take someone else's word for how wonderful she is. Remember,
different families look for different things. You should be as
rigorous in checking references on a nanny share as you would be
in any other nanny employment situation.
Points to help you decide if
a nanny share is for you:
- Nanny shares are great for
cutting costs and providing playmates for your
children. Especially good if you have just one
child.
- They can sometimes be difficult
to manage logistically - finding a family who
are going to fit all your criteria can seem daunting
but stick at it and you should find what you
are looking for.
- If the nanny is ill you can
pull together with your share family to get through
the sick period, perhaps taking one day off each.
- For a nanny share to work, you must be able
to compromise so that both families feel they
are getting an equal deal. Both sides must listen
to each other for it to be a success. At all
costs you must avoid a situation where the nanny
feels she is pulled in two different directions.
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