Nanny Sharing in the UK

Nanny sharing could be the answer and more and more parents are turning to it. Statistics show nanny sharing has increased threefold over the last six months as parents look to cut costs and more are working flexibly.

Nanny shares involve sharing the care provided by a nanny between two families and is often less expensive than a nursery.

It’s just a question of finding a match with another local family – you can either split the week in two or have two children cared for in your or the other family’s home.

According to statistics from nanny agency Tinies and www.nannyshare.co.uk, the average cost of employing a nanny as part of a nanny share including tax and national insurance contributions is around £350-£420 a week which is then split between two families.

Tinies says one in four of the nannies on its books now work for more than one family, up from one in eight a year ago.

Traditionally, nannies have been seen as an expensive childcare option. Tinies reports that their highest paid nanny currently earns approximately £50,000.  Amanda Coxen of Tinies says “Nannies used to only be affordable to the wealthy elite, but now parents are finding if they share a nanny it is often cheaper than a nursery.“

Amanda continues: “Hiring a nanny is still considered the best quality childcare option, but without better tax breaks parents struggle to afford a £30,000 plus salary which is the average cost of a nanny in London. Hence the popularity of Nanny Share.”

Quality care

Ben Black of Nannyshare.co.uk says that part of the motivation for hiring nannies is the individual, quality care that qualified nannies provide. He says: “The debate about what constitutes good childcare has raged over the years and at the industry expert level at least, there seems to be some consensus.

For children in their early years – certainly in the first 12 months – consistency of care (continuity of attachments for the child) is the most important factor.

In other words childminders, nannies, parents are all very good solutions.  But group settings – in other words, nurseries – are not as helpful to a child’s early emotional development.  It’s a conflict that every developed country is faced with as economic needs demand more and more mothers return to the workplace.”

Of good quality nursery care with low staff to baby ratios has good results.

Interestingly, despite the growing popularity of nanny shares, nannies are the one part of the childcare market left untouched by the Government. Nannies, for instance, are exempt from checks by the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

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