For many families, finding affordable childcare often feels like juggling. With so many responsibilities, such as balancing work, children and household responsibilities, hiring a nanny in Melbourne is often the best solution.
However, not every family budget allows for a professional nanny, which could make things challenging for the families involved, especially when a daycare or childcare centre does not provide the childcare you need, and other parents and friends also need assistance.
But did you know there is a solution called Nanny share, where you can share a nanny in Melbourne with another family to cut down on costs? So let’s dive into understanding how nanny sharing works.
Nanny sharing is a popular concept that offers flexibility and quality childcare and is more accessible financially. If you feel that a nanny share is the right fit for your family and budget, there are many benefits.
Understanding how a nanny share works when hiring a nanny in Melbourne could result in an arrangement that works beautifully for your family and another family.
What is a Nanny Share?
In a nanny-sharing childcare arrangement, one family partners with another family or multiple families in their local area that have similar needs to share the employment of a professional nanny for their children.
This allows the involved families to split costs while their children receive personalised and flexible care in their home environment, providing much-needed support for the families, including assistance with school drop-offs and pickups. Unlike many childcare centres, you have more control over the nannies’ daily duties, their daily schedule and caregiving philosophy.
There are various options where the nanny may care for the children each in their own home, or care for children in one family’s house as a mutual location. In both cases, clear communication and understanding are vital between all the families involved to ensure that the nanny sharing solution works out well for the two families, especially considering how many children are involved.
Pros and Cons of a Nanny Share
Hiring a professional nanny to care for your children can provide more personalised and flexible care than typical child care centres. However, because nannies don’t typically receive the same subsidies as child care centres, nanny sharing is becoming more and more popular, especially when hiring a nanny in Melbourne.
As with any placement solution, there are a few pros and cons to consider before attempting a nanny share arrangement:
Benefits of a Nanny Share
- Cost Savings – Splitting the nanny’s salary between families offers quality and affordable child care, which is quite appealing in Australia, where child care is expensive. Parents can receive a professional solution without stretching their budget.
- Group Socialisation – In settings where the children share one home environment with other children, these small groups promote socialisation, empathy and cooperation skills in children.
- Flexibility – Nanny sharing allows your family more flexible schedules, where one and the other family agree upon custom hours to manage work and personal commitments, often leading to the need for a full-time nanny.
- Individual Child Care – A nanny offers personalised care based on your child’s specific needs and routine, and they are responsible for tailoring activities that enhance child development, ensuring your child receives great care and support on their terms.
Disadvantages of a Nanny Share
- Disagreements Between Families – Your parenting style or schedule may not align with that of the other family, causing friction about the nanny’s duties or discipline approaches, particularly when working with different families.
- Scheduling Conflicts – Coordinating two families’ schedules could be a challenge, and there may be disagreements, especially during the holidays and emergencies, and more families can mean more complications.
- Illnesses and Sick Days – While the risk is much less, your children may still share a risk of illness because of other children your nanny cares for, unlike in child care centres, where the risk is higher.
How Does a Nanny Share Work?
Considering the typical and financial benefits of using a nanny share service for a nanny in Melbourne, and being aware of its benefits, it can be an ideal solution. With the right approach and following the right procedures, the nanny sharing could offer you the right fit for long-term childcare.
All things considered, here are a few steps to explain how a nanny share works in Melbourne:
Decide If It’s The Right Choice For You
It is important to discuss this choice with your partner to decide whether nanny sharing is the right fit for you. Consider your care requirements, lifestyle and family values and how many hours of care you require each week.
You could also ask friends or family for some advice before making a decision. Finally, you must consider your budget and the hours of care you can afford.
One Family Must Find Another Family
The second step is to find another family in your local area that is willing to commit to a nanny share placement. Make sure the family also has similar needs and values to yours, especially considering parenting styles and the age of children. Ask friends and neighbours who may show interest in such a placement solution.
Agree on The Logistics
Both families must agree on logistics that meet everyone’s needs. Consider how many children are involved, and in which family’s house you will host care, or whether you will rotate shifts. Both families must establish the nanny’s duties expected such as meal-prep, light housekeeping and transporting the children.
Furthermore, it’s important to discuss vacations and sick leave, as well as budgets and how you will handle paid leave and overtime for the nanny, especially if any parents work from their workplace.
Hiring the Right Nanny in Melbourne
Placement solutions, such as a nanny agency, are a great way to find a professional and experienced nanny. Look for the right nanny who has strong references, up-to-date children’s checks and experience with children of a similar age to yours. Often, parents use a trial period to test whether the nanny is the right fit.
You should also consider the following before committing to a nanny share:
- How Many Children
Both families must ensure that the nanny can take care of the number of children each family has, and their age groups.
- Your Expectations
The families must communicate their childcare expectations and any other additional duties that the nanny must carry out.
- Work Times and Hours Scheduled
Each family must agree upon setting schedules and work hours for the nanny so that there is no confusion. Also, make room for emergencies where you may need your nanny to work overtime.
Draw Up a Contract
It is vital to draw up a nanny share contract when hiring a nanny in Melbourne to ensure that it meets all the involved family’s and the nanny’s expectations, making sure everyone’s requirements are a good fit.
The contract must include the following:
- The nanny’s salary and paid benefits.
- Set work hours.
- All duties and responsibilities.
- Emergency plans such as overtime.
- Notice and termination period.
Communicate Regularly
Finally, there must be clear communication between the parents and the nanny to ensure that their arrangement is a good fit for everyone. Make time for weekly check-ins with your nanny and the involved families to discuss any issues or concerns.
Final Thoughts
Nanny sharing is a flexible and cost-effective method of hiring a professional nanny in Melbourne that meets your child care needs. It holds many benefits for children and parents besides just saving costs.
Many parents find sharing a nanny in Melbourne offers an opportunity to build a community of families involved that helps to raise happy and healthy children in a comfortable home environment.
By following the right steps, you can find a nanny that is the right fit for your family and placement solutions, for example, that meet the needs of all involved families.
