Childcare Options

Below is a little information on different childcare options.

Nannies

Nannies look after children in the home, offering individual care. They can be "sole charge" which means that the parents of the children are not at home, or they can work alongside the mother or parents. Nannies offer a complete care package as they also clean up after the children and cook for the children. They may live in or live out.

Live in Nannies

Normally work an 11-12 hour day, Monday to Friday, together with 2 nights babysitting included. They can be in sole charge of the children and they perform "nursery duties" i.e. doing the children's washing and ironing, keeping their rooms tidy, clearing away the toys, cooking for the children and clearing up in the kitchen afterwards. The primary role is care of the children and therefore household cleaning is not normally included but should be specifically discussed if it is required. On the weekend the nanny should be allowed her own free time but still be allowed to stay in the home.

Live Out Nannies

Normally work a 10 hour day, Monday to Friday. They only do babysitting if this is agreed in advance and is paid on top. They can be in sole charge of the children and they perform "nursery duties" i.e. doing the children’s washing and ironing, keeping their rooms tidy, clearing away the toys, cooking for the children and clearing up in the kitchen afterwards. 
 
Nannies may hold a childcare qualification, or have previous experience of being a nanny. They look after babies and children of all ages. Salaries vary enormously according to the type of job and the region. It is also depends on where the job is, whether the job is live in (which is often cheaper but that is because accommodation is provided) or live out, and the hours that are required. We'd advise using a local Tinies Childcare nanny agency, who will do a lot of the hard work for you (this does add to your cost, but might make things easier for you).

Mothers Helps

A Mother's Help can be live in or live out. They do the same sort of hours as a nanny. The difference between a mother's help and a nanny is that a mother's help does not yet have enough experience to be left in constant sole charge of children. They normally work alongside the mother, caring for the children.

A mother's help is not a cleaner, and so is not expected to do household duties, but she may do light duties such as the family shopping, or loading and unloading the family washing. These duties should be discussed and agreed in advance with the childcarer. Salaries vary depending upon the region, whether it is live in or live out and the hours and duties.

Temporary/Permanent and Full/Part Time

All childcare positions can be temporary or permanent or full time or part time. Some families may be looking at having a nanny or a mother's help for anything up to 6 months, perhaps to cover an existing nanny's maternity leave, for example.

Part time nannies can work any periods of a few hours a day to 4 days per week. However it is harder to find childcare for short periods of time during the day, therefore you may consider a nanny share (hopefully you'll be able to find family to share with here). 

Before and After School Childcare

One of the most popular positions today is the before and after school childcarer. This is where families need help getting children off to school and getting them picked up at the end of the day, with the childcarer providing help with homework, as well as doing the tea and bedtime until the parents get back from work. This is one of the hardest positions to fill and therefore you should give yourself plenty of time to find the right person. Tinies can help but they often recommend that families look at childminders as an alternative.

Nanny Shares

Two families (or more,) will get together to share a nanny. This can help to reduce the costs of childcare and can also increase your chances of finding a nanny, particularly if you are only looking for childcare for a few days a week or a few hours a day. If you are having difficulties locating a family to share with, Nanny Share can help.

Emergency Nannies

Emergency Nannies are nannies that can be found at very short notice to cover a breakdown in a family's existing childcare arrangements or for ad hoc childcare. Emergency Nannies are normally highly experienced childcarers so that they can immediately step in and take over the care of the children. Emergency backup childcare can prove to be expensive. Many employers in the UK provide access to the website Emergency Childcare, check it out as they may be able to help, and perhaps your employer would be interested.

Nanny/Housekeeper

This is where the job of caring for the children and managing the household are combined so that the nanny is also responsible for shopping, cooking, light housework and supervision of other household staff where necessary.

Proxy Parenting

A proxy parent role is where a nanny takes on full 24-hour responsibility for the house and childcare arrangements whilst the parents are away on business trips or holidays.

Babysitting

Babysitters might come from an agency, so actually be qualified childcarers looking for extra cash or are inbetween jobs. More likely you'll be using a family member or friend of the family to perform your babysitting duties. Once you find a good babysitter, don't take advantage and treat them well, and likely they'll happily return.

Au Pairs

An au pair is typically a national from either the EU or from other Western European countries. She is normally aged 17-27 and comes over to England primarily to learn English. An au pair lives with a family and in return for board and lodging and a small allowance she does a mixture of childcare and light housework. She must be given the opportunity to study and should only work a maximum of 25 hours a week. She should be paid an allowance in the region of £50-100. She must not be left in sole charge of children for long periods of time.

Au pairs should only look after children of school age, or at the most 3 years upwards. Most au pairs are very young and have little experience as childcarers. Au pairs can be obtained through au pair agencies. Sometimes it takes longer to find an au pair, particularly if she is still in her home country.

The Childcare Company Au Pair Agency should be able to help you if you are interested in an au pair, either now or further down the line.

Childminders

A Childminder is someone who looks after children in their own home. Whilst standards vary, lists or registered childminders are available from your local Children's Information Service. Childminders must be registered by Ofsted in England/Wales, or be regulated by the Care Commission in Scotland. Most childminders work in their own homes, sometimes with a partner or assistant. Childminders are self-employed and negotiate a fee with parents for the service they provide. Childminders must have had basic training and hold Public Liability Insurance.

For more information visit the National Childminding Association.

Maternity Nannies

There are many different types of Maternity Nanny:

Maternity Nanny

These are experienced maternity nurses & maternity nannies, ideal for supporting first time mothers or those who have special needs, for example following Caesarean Section delivery. There are also maternity nannies who are good for mums with older siblings, as they will not only care for the new baby, but will also help out with the older children.

Multiple Birth Maternity Nanny

These are very experienced maternity nurses & specialise in multiple births. They are ideal for parents expecting twins or triplets and are great at establishing routines.

Doulas

Doulas will be experienced in childcare (particularly with babies) as well as being willing to assist in household duties and the general running of the home. This service will include light housework, shopping, cooking, ironing and general assistance in childcare. They tend to work 4-8 hours per day. They can be both pre and post natal. Pre-natal doulas can be available at the birth if required.