CHILDCARER ROLES AND SALARIES

 
GENERAL INFORMATION ON NANNIES

Nannies offer individual childcare in the home. A nanny is usually someone who has childcare qualifications and in some instances extensive childcare experience.

Nannies can take on childcare duties either on a sole basis (where both parents are working) or shared charge basis (where they work alongside a parent) and are able to look after children of all ages. They are there to provide plenty of fun, learning opportunities in a safe, structured and caring environment.

Opting for a nanny rather than any other form of childcare provides families with greater flexibility (for example looking after children who are sick, accompanying the family on holiday, taking on full 24-hour responsibility for the house and childcare arrangements whilst the parents are away etc). Employing a nanny also eases the burden of a parent’s nursery/school run and having to find a baby sitter. They also provide children with one-to-one attention within the family environment and can accompany them to various play groups, as well as sports and other social activities.
 

GENERAL CHILDCARE ROLES & TYPICAL SALARIES

LIVE-IN NANNY

Duties

Live-In Nannies are generally not expected to undertake heavy household cleaning although they may do light housework such as loading the washing machine or hanging the washing. Typically, they will undertake nursery duties such as bathing, dressing and feeding the children as well as clearing up the kitchen after meals and doing the children’s washing, ironing and tidying their rooms.

They are required to keep their own bedroom and bathroom clean and tidy. Other duties include, driving the children to school as well as to sports and other social activities (play groups, baby classes etc.) and ensuring that they complete their homework. In the case of bilingual live-in nannies communication with the children will often be done in the foreign language requested by the parents.

Live-In Nannies should stimulate children’s development through play by engaging in activities such as painting, drawing and singing and provide the parents with regular reports on their children’s progress.

Standard working hours

Typically 10-12 hours a day (e.g. 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday) with 2 days off per week.
A Live-In Nanny may sometimes negotiate working 6 days per week for a higher salary. Two or three nights of babysitting per week may also be included in the salary. Any additional babysitting such as at the weekend would normally be paid in addition to the salary.

Accommodation and food

Live-In Nannies should be provided with their own furnished single or double bedroom as well as a television and/or a DVD player. They should be allowed access and use the family bathroom. However, some families offer a bedroom with a separate or en-suite bathroom to allow the Live-In Nanny some privacy. Live-In Nannies should be allowed to stay in the home at the weekends.

Food is provided and paid for by the employer. Any food likes and dislikes or special dietary requirements should be discussed between the Live-In Nanny and the employer.

Salary and holiday entitlement

Salaries will depend on whether the position is based in the UK or overseas, as well as on age, experience and the duties involved. They are usually paid weekly.

Typically, Live-In Nannies can charge between £350 and £500 net per week in the UK and between £500 and £900 net per week overseas. Nannies’ tax and national insurance should be paid by the employer. We will be happy to provide you with more information regarding this. Where the Live-In Nanny is required to provide a 24 hour live-in cover whilst both parents are away, a specific salary should be negotiated prior to employment.

By law, nannies in the UK are entitled to 28 days holiday per year including National Bank holidays. Some families require their Live-In Nanny to accompany them on holiday, in which case the nanny’s salary as well as travel, food and accommodation expenses should be covered by the employer.


LIVE-OUT NANNY

Duties

Live-Out Nannies are generally not expected to undertake heavy household cleaning although they may do light housework such as loading the washing machine or hanging the washing. Typically, they will undertake nursery duties such as bathing, dressing and feeding the children as well as clearing up the kitchen after meals and doing the children’s washing, ironing and tidying their rooms.

Other duties include, driving the children to school as well as to sports and other social activities (play groups, baby classes etc.) and ensuring that they complete their homework. In the case of bilingual live-out nannies communication with the children will often be done in the foreign language requested by the parents.
Live-Out Nannies should stimulate children’s development through play by engaging in activities such as painting, drawing and singing and provide the parents with regular reports on their children’s progress.

Standard working hours

Live-Out Nannies tend to work slightly less hours than Live-In Nannies i.e. typically 10 hours a day (e.g. 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday) with 2 days off per week. A Live-Out Nanny may sometimes negotiate working 6 days per week for a higher salary. They may accept some babysitting if agreed in advance and paid in addition to their normal salary.

Accommodation and food

Live-Out Nannies do not live with the family but should live within 40 minutes of their employers’ home. Lunch should be provided by the employer.

Salary and holiday entitlement

Salaries will depend on age, experience and the duties involved. They are usually paid weekly. Typically, Live-Out Nannies can charge between £400 and £600 net per week for placements in the UK. Nannies’ tax and national insurance should be paid by the employer. We will be happy to provide you with more information regarding this.
Where the Live-Out Nanny is required to provide a 24 hour live in cover whilst both parents are away, a specific salary should be negotiated prior to employment. 

By law, nannies in the UK are entitled to 28 days holiday per year including National Bank holidays. Some families require their Live-In Nanny to accompany them on holiday, in which case the nanny’s salary as well as travel, food and accommodation expenses should be covered by the employer.


LIVE-IN MOTHER’S HELP

Duties

Live-In Mother’s Helps work alongside a parent or a senior nanny. They assist the mother/father with looking after the children and generally help around the house (e.g. vacuuming, dusting, preparing meals, light washing, ironing, etc). An older and more experienced mother's help may be asked to take sole charge of the children.
Typically, they will undertake nursery duties such as bathing, dressing, feeding the children, clearing up the kitchen after meals as well as the children’s washing, ironing and tidying their rooms.

Live-In Mother’s Helps are also required to keep their own bedroom and bathroom clean and tidy. Other duties include, driving the children to school as well as to sports and other social activities (play groups, baby classes etc.) and ensuring that they complete their homework. In the case of bilingual Live-In Mother’s Helps, communication with the children will often be done in the foreign language requested by the parents.
 
Live-In Mother’s Helps should stimulate children’s development through play by engaging in activities such as painting, drawing and singing and provide the parents with regular reports on their children’s progress.

Standard working hours

Typically 10-12 hours a day (e.g. 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday) with 2 days off per week. A Live-In Mother’s Help may sometimes negotiate working 6 days per week for a higher salary. 2 or 3 nights of babysitting per week may also be included in the salary. Any additional babysitting such as at the weekend would normally be paid in addition to the salary.

Accommodation and food

Live-In Mother’s Help should be provided with their own furnished single or double bedroom as well as a television and/or a DVD player. They should be allowed access to the family bathroom. However, some families offer a bedroom with a separate or en-suite bathroom to allow the Live-In Mother’s Help some privacy. Live-In Mother’s Help should be allowed to stay in the home at the weekends.

Food is provided and paid for by the employer. Any food likes and dislikes or special dietary requirements should be discussed between the Live-In Mother’s Help and the employer.

Salary and holiday entitlement

Salaries will depend on whether the position is based in the UK or overseas, as well as on age, experience and the duties involved. They are usually paid weekly. Typically, Live-In Mother’s Help can charge between £250 and £350 net per week in the UK and between £400 and £750 net per week overseas. Mother’s Helps’ tax and national insurance should be paid by the employer. We will be happy to provide you with more information regarding this.

Where the Live-In Mother’s Help is required to provide a 24 hour live-in cover whilst both parents are away, a specific salary should be negotiated prior to employment. By law, nannies in the UK are entitled to 28 days holiday per year including National Bank holidays. Some families require their Live-In Nanny to accompany them on holiday, in which case the nanny’s salary as well as travel, food and accommodation expenses should be covered by the employer.


LIVE-OUT MOTHER’S HELP

Duties

Live-Out Mother’s Helps work alongside a parent or a senior nanny. They are not necessarily trained. They assist the mother/father with looking after the children and generally help around the house (e.g. vacuuming, dusting, preparing meals, light washing, ironing, etc). An older and more experienced mother's help may be asked to take sole charge of the children.

Typically, they will undertake nursery duties such as bathing, dressing, feeding the children, clearing up the kitchen after meals as well as the children’s washing, ironing and tidying their rooms. Other duties include, driving the children to school as well as to sports and other social activities (play groups, baby classes etc.) and ensuring that they complete their homework. In the case of bilingual Live-Out Mother’s Helps, communication with the children will often be done in the foreign language requested by the parents.

Live-Out Mother’s Helps should stimulate children’s development through play by engaging in activities such as painting, drawing and singing and provide the parents with regular reports on their children’s progress.

Standard working hours

Live-Out Mother’s Helps tend to work slightly less hours than Live-In Mother’s Helps i.e. typically 10 hours a day (e.g. 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday) with 2 days off per week. A Live-Out Mother’s Help may sometimes negotiate working 6 days per week for a higher salary. They may accept some babysitting if agreed in advance and paid in addition to their normal salary.

Accommodation and food

Live-Out Mother’s Helps do not live with the family but should live within 40 minutes of their employers’ home.
Lunch should be provided by the employer.

Salary and holiday entitlement

Salaries will depend on age, experience and the duties involved. They are usually paid weekly. Typically, Live-Out Mother’s Helps can charge between £350 and £450 net per week for UK placements. Mother’s Helps’ tax and national insurance should be paid by the employer. We will be happy to provide you with more information regarding this. Where the Live-Out Mother’s Help is required to provide a 24 hour live-in cover whilst both parents are away, a specific salary should be negotiated prior to employment. 

By law, nannies in the UK are entitled to 28 days holiday per year including National Bank holidays. Some families require their Live-In Nanny to accompany them on holiday, in which case the nanny’s salary as well as travel, food and accommodation expenses should be covered by the employer.


NANNY-HOUSEKEEPER

Nanny-Housekeepers may live-in or live-out.

Duties

A Nanny-Housekeeper may have sole or shared charge of the children and has similar duties to a Live-In or Live-Out Nanny apart from the fact that they undertake heavier household duties (e.g. shopping, supervising other household staff, cleaning the family home, cooking, laundry, ironing, vacuuming) and not only housework related to the children. They may work alongside a parent or a nanny.

A Nanny-Housekeeper’s nursery duties include bathing, dressing, feeding the children, clearing up the kitchen after meals as well as the children’s washing, ironing and tidying their rooms. Live-In Nanny-Housekeepers are also responsible to clean their own room and bathroom. Other duties include, driving the children to school as well as to sports and other social activities (play groups, baby classes etc.) and ensuring that they complete their homework. Please note that Nanny-Housekeepers who drive are quite rare.

They should stimulate children’s development through play by engaging in activities such as painting, drawing and singing and provide the parents with regular reports on their children’s progress.

Standard working hours

Typically 8-10 hours a day for a Live-Out Nanny-Housekeeper (e.g. 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday) and 10-12 hours a day (e.g. 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday) for a Live-In Nanny-Housekeeper, each with 2 days off per week. A Nanny-Housekeeper may sometimes negotiate working 6 days per week for a higher salary. Two nights of babysitting per week may also be included in the salary. Any additional babysitting or weekend babysitting should be paid extra.

Accommodation and food

Live-In Nanny-Housekeepers should be provided with their own furnished single or double bedroom as well as a television and/or a DVD player. They should be allowed access to the family bathroom. However, some families offer a bedroom with a separate or en-suite bathroom to allow the Live-In Nanny-Housekeepers some privacy.
Food is provided and paid for by the employer. Any food likes and dislikes or special dietary requirements should be discussed between the Live-In Nanny-Housekeeper and the employer.

Live-Out Nanny-Housekeepers do not live with the family but should live within 40 minutes of their employers’ home. Lunch should be provided by the employer.

Salary and holiday entitlement

Salaries will depend on age, experience and the duties involved. They are usually paid weekly. Typically, Live-In Nanny-Housekeepers can charge between £300 and £400 net per week and Live-Out Nanny-Housekeepers between £400 and £500 net per week. Live-In Nanny-Housekeepers’ tax and national insurance should be paid by the employer. We will be happy to provide you with more information regarding this. Where the Live-Out Nanny-Housekeeper is required to provide a 24 hour live-in cover whilst both parents are away, a specific salary should be negotiated prior to employment. 

By law, nannies in the UK are entitled to 28 days holiday per year including National Bank holidays. Some families require their Live-In Nanny to accompany them on holiday, in which case the nanny’s salary as well as travel, food and accommodation expenses should be covered by the employer.


GOVERNESS

Duties

A Governess usually holds teaching qualifications or higher educational degree and has a minimum of 5 years professional childcare or teaching experience. Governesses usually work alongside a nanny. They do not carry nursery duties but are in charge of the education and the social development of children of school age within a private household.

They are also responsible for teaching social etiquette and promoting the children’s cultural knowledge. They are often able to teach a musical instrument and a second language.

Standard working hours

Governesses work typically 10-12 hours a day and 5 to 6 days per week.

Accommodation and food

Governesses should be provided with their own furnished accommodation. Food is provided and paid for by the employer. Any food likes and dislikes or special dietary requirements should be discussed between the Governess and the employer.

Salary and holiday entitlement:
Typically, Governesses can charge between £500 and £650 net per week in the UK and between £600 and £1,200 net per week abroad. Governesses’ tax and national insurance should be paid by the employer. We will be happy to provide you with more information regarding this. 

By law, nannies in the UK are entitled to 28 days holiday per year including National Bank holidays. Some families require their Live-In Nanny to accompany them on holiday, in which case the nanny’s salary as well as travel, food and accommodation expenses should be covered by the employer. 

MALE NANNY

Male childcarers (or Mannies) are an alternative to traditional female childcarers and their popularity has grown in recent years. Hiring a manny can enable a single mother to provide a male role model to her child. Mannies have the same duties, responsibilities and conditions of employment as female nannies. They may live-in or live-out.

Duties

Live-In Mannies are generally not expected to undertake heavy household cleaning although they may do light housework such as loading the washing machine or hanging the washing. Typically, they will undertake nursery duties such as bathing, dressing and feeding the children as well as clearing up the kitchen after meals and doing the children’s washing, ironing and tidying their rooms.

They are required to keep their own bedroom and bathroom clean and tidy. Other duties include, driving the children to school as well as to sports and other social activities (play groups, baby classes etc.) and ensuring that they complete their homework. In the case of bilingual live-in mannies communication with the children will often be done in the foreign language requested by the parents. Live-In Mannies should stimulate children’s development through play by engaging in activities such as painting, drawing and singing and provide the parents with regular reports on their children’s progress.

Standard working hours

Typically 10-12 hours a day (e.g. 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday) with 2 days off per week. A Live-In Manny may sometimes negotiate working 6 days per week for a higher salary. Two or Three nights of babysitting per week may also be included in the salary. Any additional babysitting such as at the weekend would normally be paid in addition to the salary.

Accommodation and food

Live-In Mannies should be provided with their own furnished single or double bedroom as well as a television and/or a DVD player. They should be allowed access and use the family bathroom. However, some families offer a bedroom with a separate or en-suite bathroom to allow the Live-In Manny some privacy. Live-In Mannies should be allowed to stay in the home at the weekends. Food is provided and paid for by the employer and any food likes and dislikes or special dietary requirements should be discussed between the Live-In Manny and the employer.

Salary and holiday entitlement

Salaries will depend on whether the position is based in the UK or overseas, as well as on age, experience and the duties involved. They are usually paid weekly. Typically, Live-In Mannies can charge between £350 and £500 net per week in the UK and between £500 and £900 net per week overseas.

Nannies’ tax and national insurance should be paid by the employer. We will be happy to provide you with more information regarding this. Where the Live-In Manny is required to provide a 24 hour live-in cover whilst both parents are away, a specific salary should be negotiated prior to employment.

By law, mannies in the UK are entitled to 28 days holiday per year including National Bank holidays. Some families require their Live-In Manny to accompany them on holiday, in which case the manny’s salary as well as travel, food and accommodation expenses should be covered by the employer.

SKI/SUN NANNIES

To provide a welcome help during those long family holidays, Pearl Childcare can provide you with a Ski/Sun nanny. These are normally employed by a travel company to help out in their resort crèche/nursery or work directly for a family who has booked a summer or ski holiday.

Ski/Sun nannies will normally work during the entire Winter season (December through to April) or Summer season (April through to November) and can also be employed to work in a in a resort for one to two weeks at a time. Their main duty will be to ensure the children in their care are looked after safely at all times and to engage them in fun and creative activities to help them enjoy their holiday.

For more information on the variety of roles available, please contact one of our consultants.


SPECIAL NEEDS NANNIES

For more information on Special Needs Nannies' roles and currently available positions, please contact your Pearl Childcare consultant.

SUMMARY OF TYPICAL NET CHILDCARE SALARIES (for guidance purposes only)

Note: the above net salary figures are exclusive of tax, employee's tax & employer's NI contributions.

 
MATERNITY ROLES AND TYPICAL SALARIES

The addition of a new member to a family can often be a very challenging and daunting experience. Receiving maternity help from an experienced maternity specialist in your own language can considerably help new mothers to adapt to motherhood.

We believe that women need special physical and emotional care after giving birth and can hugely benefit from hiring the services of a maternity specialist to provide good post natal care as well as guidance and support with their new born babies.

Hiring a maternity specialist can also provide a new mother with the reassurance she needs to adjust to life with her new baby and accelerate her recovery. Maternity specialists can also help a mother to deal with breastfeeding, settle her new baby into a good routine and generally help her to enjoy her experience of becoming a new mum.

New dads will also be able to benefit from this extra helping hand, especially if they need to go back to work shortly after the birth and require a good night’s sleep.

At Pearl Childcare we can provide a variety of maternity placements, including British and bilingual maternity specialists in the following roles:

• Maternity Nurses (on duty 24 hours a day)
• Night Maternity Nurses (night time cover only)
• Day Maternity Nurses (day time cover only)
• Maternity Nannies (day time cover only)
• Doulas (day time cover only)

MATERNITY NURSES

Maternity Nurses are on call 24 hours a day, 6 days a week. Although some may hold a formal qualification as a mid-wife, neo-natal nurse, paediatric nurse, health visitor or registered nurse, Maternity Nurses are usually experienced or trained nannies who specialise in caring for newborn babies. They provide new mothers with specialist support and guidance as well as a chance to physically recover in the early weeks of a newborn baby. They are usually employed for a period of approximately 4-8 weeks from the moment the mother leaves the maternity ward, although this may be extended depending on the family’s personal needs and individual circumstances.

A Maternity Nurse will help the mother establish their newborn(s) into a routine and focus on both the mother’s and baby’s well-being. Unlike Maternity Nannies or Doulas, Maternity Nurses are not expected to look after older siblings or carry out general household cleaning and laundry. Should you wish your Maternity Nurse to undertake such additional duties, these should be discussed and agreed to during the interview prior to the commencement of the employment. Alternatively, you may want to employ a Maternity Nanny or a Doulas (see separate sections on these roles).

Duties

A Maternity Nurse’s key duties are to:

• Provide new mothers with both physical and emotional support
• Teach new mothers to look after their babies
• Provide mothers with advice on breast or bottle feeding as well as on establishing good sleeping routines.
• Care for the new born baby (i.e. feed, bathe, change and settle the newborn baby) if the new mother is unable to do so or share this responsibility with her.
• Advise the new mother on how to cope with a crying baby
• Deal with the baby’s laundry and keep the nursery clean and tidy
• Sterilise bottles and prepare milk feeds
• Prepare meals for the mother if she is unable to do so

Standard working hours

Maternity Nurses are on duty 24 hours a day and up to six days a week. Such long working hours can cause tiredness and therefore breaks and rest periods will be required. They should be allowed at least 2-3 hours break each day to catch up on some sleep and given at least one day off per week, during which they may either stay in or leave the family’s home.

Accommodation and food

Maternity Nurses generally sleep in the same room as the baby or may be offered their own bedroom. They should be allowed access to and use of the family bathroom. However, some families offer a bedroom with a separate or en-suite bathroom to allow the Maternity Nurse some privacy.

Food is provided and paid for by the employer. Maternity Nurses are not expected to prepare meals for the family, however, should the new mother be recovering from a caesarean or difficult birth, the family will very greatly appreciate help from the Maternity Nurse in preparing light meals and drinks for the new mother. Any food likes and dislikes or special dietary requirements should be discussed between the Maternity Nurse and the employer.

Salary

Maternity Nurses are self-employed and therefore, the employer is not responsible for paying their Income Tax or National Insurance contributions in the UK. They usually receive 50% of their gross weekly salary from the day they are booked until their work begins. From that moment, they will be on call at any time.
 
In the case where the birth of a baby was delayed, employers will usually agree in the Maternity Nurse’s contract of employment to pay a retainer of half the agreed salary from the above start date until commencement of the position.

For overseas bookings, the employer is responsible for the cost of a return flight as well as for travel and medical insurance.

Typically, Maternity Nurses will charge the following weekly salaries in the UK:

• £750 - £900 gross for a single baby / 6 days per week
• £900 - £1,200 gross for twins / 6 days per week
• £1,100 - £1,300 gross for triplets / 6 days per week

Please note that salaries can vary according to experience.


NIGHT MATERNITY NURSES

Night Nurses can provide considerable help to exhausted parents whose baby does not sleep through the night.

Duties

Their duties are the same as those for Maternity Nurses (please refer to the Maternity Nurse section above for more details).

Standard working hours

Night Nurses usually work 10-12 hours per night and up to 6 nights a week. They may live-in or out.

Accommodation and food

Please refer to the Maternity Nurse section above for more details.

Salary (hourly rates)

• £10 - £15 gross for a single baby
• £15 - £18 gross for twins or triplets

DAY MATERNITY NURSES

Day Maternity Nurses are a good option for families who do not have space for a live-in nanny or who prefer to keep some privacy.

Duties

Their duties are the same as those for Maternity Nurses (please refer to the Maternity Nurse section above for more details).

Standard working hours

Day Maternity Nurses usually work 10-12 hours per night and up to 6 nights a week. They may live-in or out.

Accommodation and food

Please refer to the Maternity Nurse section above for more details.

Salary (hourly rates)

• £10 - £15 gross for a single baby
• £15 - £18 gross for twins or triplets

MATERNITY NANNIES

Duties

Although they may be less experienced and do not hold formal nursing qualifications, Maternity Nannies have similar duties to Maternity Nurses, Night Nurses or Daily Maternity Nurses. However, unlike the above, Maternity Nannies are able to assist mothers to not only look after the new baby but also it’s older siblings.

Standard working hours

Please refer to the Maternity Nurse section above for more details.

Accommodation and food

Please refer to the Maternity Nurse section above for more details.

Salary

Maternity Nannies’ salaries are the same as those for Maternity Nurses. Please refer to the Maternity Nurse section above for more details.


DOULAS

Duties

Doulas are experienced women who usually provide mothers with emotional, physical and practical support before, during and immediately after childbirth so that the she can recover more quickly and enjoy the experience of becoming a mum. Following birth, they care for the newborn baby as a well as for siblings and help on light household duties (e.g. shopping, cooking, ironing and general assistance in childcare) as well as the general running of the family’s home. They also offer advice on breast or bottle feeding, settling the new baby in a good routine and general care for babies.

Doulas can be of great help if a mother does not have any immediate family (e.g. her own mother, mother in-law, sister or sister in-law) living close by and who could assist.

Standard working hours

Doulas usually work 4-8 hours per day.

Accommodation and food

Doulas usually live out although lunch should be provided by the employer.

Salary (hourly rates)

• £10 - £15 gross for a single baby
• £15 - £18 gross for twins or triplets

SUMMARY OF TYPICAL GROSS MATERNITY SALARIES IN THE UK (for guidance purposes only)

Note: Maternity Specialists are self-employed and pay for their own tax and national insurance. The above gross salary figures are inclusive of tax, employee's tax & employer's NI contributions.

Salaries for maternity specialists abroad can vary from one country to another. Therefore, if you require more information please free to contact your Pearl Childcare consultant.

NURSERY ROLES

Pearl Childcare can offer placement of both temporary and permanent nursery staff to nurseries all over London and these can include the following roles: