Nanny Share — the Affordable Childcare Solution

Carla Whiting outline the economical way to enjoy professional nanny services

 

Nanny share is a fantastic way to make childcare affordable. The advantage is that the cost of a nanny is shared between two families under one umbrella agreement. This agreement covers the nanny’s services, tax payable, food, vehicle insurance and other items, depending on the arrangement. Care of the children can take place in the home of one family, or be split between the two homes. There may also be cases where the nanny cares for different children on different days of the week.

Often nanny shares are found through local acquaintance. Alternatively, using an agency can access an established pool of resources. An agency can then organise a family introduction, help clarify the terms of an agreement and find a suitable nanny.

A shared nanny ¡s recruited by an agency in the normal way. The agency can pass the candidate’s details to both families and ensure that the nanny is happy with the share agreement. Some nannies will expect a slight increase in pay, depending on the arrangement that is made.

At Brilliant Nannies we want to help more parents enjoy the benefits of personal nanny care and the more families who register, the more nanny shares we can establish. Today, many families need more than care from 8am to 6.30pm. Work schedules are increasingly fluid and a nanny offers additional flexibility to accommodate this. Furthermore, you benefit from a playmate for your child, childcare in the home environment and a cost that’s within budget! What could be better?

 

Carla Whiting is founder and CEO at Brilliant Nannies, a nanny agency based in the Richmond Borough and servicing London, Middlesex, Surrey and Overseas. Brilliant Nannies are experienced at setting up nanny shares. For more information, visit www.brilliantnannies.co.uk

Meet the agency: Brilliant Nannies

This month we’re meeting Carla Whiting, CEO and Founder of Brilliant Nannies

 

How long has your agency been established?

Over 2 years ago

 

What inspired you to start or work for this agency?

I’m the founder. I was inspired to set up my own business thinking that I could combine my vast experience as a nanny in and my previous and solid experience with recruitment.

 

What areas do you cover?

All London areas, Surrey, Middlesex and Overseas

 

What are the minimum requirements to register with you?

Nannies: Have at least 1-year experience with childcare (nanny or nursery), up to date DBS check, First Aid Certificate and good references. Candidates must be able to come in for a face-to-face interview with us.

 

What do you look for in nannies that come to register?

If they are punctual, if they look clean, neat and professional, knowledge of children development, First Aid, hygiene, cooking skills, their methods of discipline, commitment, their ideal job, potty training and weaning experience.

 

What do your clients expect to see in a nanny?

Years of experience and commitment.

 

How can nannies improve their chances of getting a job through you?

Having their certificates up to date, also doing courses and getting qualified. Nannies looking for a job must do their part which is keep an eye on our website and our Facebook page to be able to apply for new jobs as soon as they are posted. Childcares shouldn’t wait for us to call them as we rarely do. We sent out newsletter a few times a month only but we advertise daily on Facebook and Twitter.

 

What post-placement support do you provide?

We are an introductory agency but we try to help with everything we can. We send families a contract sample and we recommend options of payroll agencies. For nannies we tend to advise them and we are open to help if there is a problem.

 

What’s your top tip for nannies looking for work?

They should have their certificates up to date and have a good CV with their photo and all childcare experience in it. Children’s age and activities on their employment history must be done for each job as well as ‘Reason for Leaving”.

Travel first aid kit

Whilst being outside and exploring is a fun way for children to spend their time, sometimes these activities can lead to accidents. Common injuries that can occur include cuts and grazes, bumps to the head, sprains and foreign objects in the eye.

It’s always a good idea for parents and carers to be prepared by carrying a travel first aid kit. This means you can usually deal with any small incidents immediately, rather than having to find a first aider on site. Make up your own first aid kit or buy a small one to keep with you at all times.

Essential items include:

Small and medium bandages

Triangular bandage

Plasters

Antiseptic wipes

Nitrile gloves

Eye wash

It is also good to have a cold compress to treat bruising.

If a child has a more serious injury or you do not feel confident dealing with the injury, call the emergency services immediately to ensure they are treated correctly. Always have your mobile phone charged so they can be called should the need arise.

This blog was written by Train Aid, who provide paediatric First Aid courses suitable for registration on the OFSTED voluntary register. You can find upcoming first aid courses on the message board calendar.

Food allergens and nannies

As of December last year businesses providing food, which includes childcare providers, have to give information about the allergens in the food they provide. This applies not only to home-made food but also pre-prepared food bought and served when out and about. In practice children are unable to make their own decisions about avoiding allergens so it’s important to communicate with parents about foods to avoid, what you will be serving, and when their children have consumed allergens.

The legislation applies to 14 allergens:

  • Celery (this includes celeriac)
  • Cereals which contain gluten such as wheat, rye and barley
  • Crustaceans (eg crab, lobster and prawns)
  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • Lupin beans/seeds
  • Milk
  • Molluscs (shellfish, snails, squid etc)
  • Mustard
  • Nuts eg almonds, Brazil nuts, cashew, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecan nuts or pistachio
  • Peanuts
  • Sesame
  • Soybeans
  • Sulphur dioxide/sulphites (a type of preservative) above 10mg/kilo or litre.

Nannies tend to cook food that parents provide, so the parents should be aware of which allergens are available for consumption. It’s worth noting down in a communication diary what allergens were contained in the food consumed that day. Similarly if eating out inform the parents what allergens were present in writing, so make a habit of noting down food information when out and about.

 

NB Self-employed nannies, as a business, do have a responsibility to provide this information, like nurseries and childminders.

Sensory bags

Fancy some sensory play without the mess ? Help is at hand in the form of sensory bags. Just fill up a ziplock bag, shut it and for extra security tape it shut.

Try:

Paint – either one colour or two colours in opposite corners of the bag so they can be mixed

Hair gel and glitter

Cornflour and water

Shaving foam and a few drops of food colouring

Oil and coloured water

Sand and water

Miniature toys or googly eyes and hair gel or water

 

You can also create windows in bags by taping over part of the bag and just leaving a few gaps. Children can manipulate objects until they can see them and watch them appear and disappear from view.