Nannyshares - What are they and is it right for your Family

You may have heard the term "nanny share" being thrown around, but what does it actually mean? A nanny share is when a nanny (live-in or live-out) is shared between two families. In some shares, a nanny will work with one family for part of the week and the other family for another, but what is becoming more common is families sharing a nanny on the same day, with the nanny looking after both families' children. We see this working especially well when two families have children around the same age. One of the many benefits of a nanny share is the saving in cost. You might be asking yourself, how did I not know of this before and how do I sign up?! Before you jump right in, Kindred has outlined some key aspects to consider before starting your share.

Who should I share with?

It could be your best friend, your colleague, your neighbour. You just want to be on the same page with this person, especially around your approach and ethos on how to raise your children. This is super important as you'll be choosing the nanny together and want to be aligned on who is the right choice for your kids and families. We suggest sitting down with any potential families and filling out Kindred’s "perfect nanny form". This will help you formulate your core values and hopefully most of these things are aligned!

Finding the right family to share with is arguably the most crucial decision in the entire process. Consider families whose parenting styles complement yours. Do they have similar views on discipline, screen time, nutrition, and educational approaches? These might seem like minor details initially, but they can become significant points of contention if not addressed early on.

Kindred is working on creating a pool of potential Families for you to match with. Get in touch with a Kindred if you’re interested in finding out more.

The Different share options available

There are various options available for shared nannies, depending on your family's specific needs. Some families may require a full-time nanny for five days a week, while others may only need part-time help. For example, one family might need a nanny for two days, and the other for another two, with you sharing just one day—or possibly none. Whatever your needs are, there’s a nanny that will suit your family

Which house would the nanny work at?

Depending on the details of the share, if the nanny was working with both families each day, then we'd recommend you nominate a main residence where the nanny would work from. This could switch over mid-week, or if one house has a larger garden, you might deem it more appropriate. It makes sense to keep it to one house where possible as it's likely you'll have a double up of equipment needed. We are thinking a double buggy, two high-chairs etc., depending on the age of the children. It's a lot easier to have it at one house vs carting these things between the two!

When deciding on locations, consider not just the physical space but also the proximity to parks, playgroups, and other child-friendly amenities. The house that offers the most enriching environment for the children's development might be the logical choice.

Children's schedules

Although a nanny share will offer more flexibility than a nursery, you want to have your children on somewhat similar schedules. Depending on the age of the children, you might aim to align nap times, meal times, and activities, which can be a bit of a puzzle initially. Being somewhat aligned means the nanny can get out and about with the children and potentially head to a morning or afternoon class. Also, living close to each other makes things a whole lot easier – less time commuting means more time for the kids to play and learn together.

Consider creating a shared calendar for the children's activities that both families and the nanny can access. This helps everyone stay informed about swimming lessons, doctor appointments, or special events that might affect the daily routine.

Key Terms to consider

Who employs the nanny and what do we pay?

Each family must register as an employer with HMRC and set up their own PAYE scheme to declare tax and NI on the nanny's earnings. During the week if the nanny is only looking after one family's set of children, then typical daily Nanny rates apply. If the nanny will be responsible for both families' children, then each family must pay at minimum £12.21 gross per hour (minimum wage).

Example of Daily Nanny rates in London vs typical Nanny-share rates

Daily live out rate for 50 hours = £52,000-57,000 gross per annum

Nanny share rates for 50 hours = £63,000-£70,000 gross per annum (Cost split between 2 employers)

This represents significant savings for each family while still ensuring the nanny is fairly compensated for the additional workload of caring for more children. Remember that your nanny is a professional providing a valuable service, and their pay should reflect both their qualifications and the nature of caring for multiple children from different families

Ready to hire the right nanny for your family?

We believe there’s a perfect match for every family if you ask the right questions. We pride ourselves on offering a matching service truly tailored to our nannies and families.

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Holidays

This is definitely worth discussing at the early stages of finding a family to share with. Ideally, you and the other family will take holidays around the same time. A nanny who works a 5-day week is entitled to 4 weeks' holiday + all bank holidays. A common solution for holidays is for each family to decide on one week and the nanny to decide on two weeks. If there is a family that wants to travel more then a nanny share might not be best suited to them, unless they are happy to continue guaranteeing the nanny her salary when they are away.

When planning holidays, try to provide your nanny with as much notice as possible. Most nanny contracts will specify that holiday dates need to be agreed upon with a certain amount of advance notice (typically 4-6 weeks).

Contracts

We recommend each family has a separate contract with the nanny. This will make the process a lot smoother if one family wishes to leave the arrangement further down the line. Download Kindred’s sample Nanny contract.

Added benefits

When done correctly, a nanny share can be great for all parties. It's especially beneficial to the children, especially if they are small or don't have any siblings. As a family, you're essentially benefiting from a qualified nanny for half the costs. As long as you can get on the same page about logistics, then it's a great solution to many families' childcare struggles.

Children in nanny shares will develop strong social skills. They learn to share, take turns, and consider others' feelings - all vital life skills. The nanny also benefits from a more stimulating work environment, as caring for children from different families can provide variety and new challenges. Nannyshares have always been really popular throughout our Nanny community.

Communication

Like any employer-employee relationship, communication and regular check-ins are key in a nanny share. Check in with your nanny and your share family on a regular basis to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Consider setting up a shared communication system that works for everyone. Some families prefer a WhatsApp group for day-to-day updates, while others might opt for a more structured approach with weekly email summaries or monthly in-person meetings. Whatever system you choose, consistency is key to ensuring all parties feel informed and valued.

A nanny share requires slightly more coordination and communication than traditional childcare arrangements, but the benefits can be substantial. With careful planning, open communication, and a spirit of flexibility, you can create a nurturing, cost-effective childcare solution that benefits both families and provides an enriching environment for your children to learn and grow together. Get in touch with the Kindred Team today if you’d like to start exploring shares!