Live out or live out?

Whether you chose a live in v’s live out nanny role really depends on you personally and what you are looking for.

As with any job, there are pro’s and cons. The same exists for either a live in or a live out nanny.

The choice between a live in or live out nanny position is quite a individual decision.

Bear in mind when taking into consideration which option to lean towards as the right option for your nanny role remember that no two families or nanny positions are the same.

Deciding which suits you better is influenced by many factors.

These elements include your age (if you have just turned 18 or you are in a relationship or have children of your own), your environment (especially if you are used to living in a structured, secure environment of your parents home), your personality, if it is the first time overseas, the actual position, and the variants go on.

Once you have decided that you want to have a career as a nanny then it is one of the first elements to consider.

The choice you make will possibly change over time and depends on the situation.

If you have been nanny, for example, and then decide to travel overseas and nanny then you may look at a live in position.

A particular position may also dictate live in/live out and you may not have control or you may decide that that position, regardless of how awesome it seems, is not for you because of the living situation.

We have devised points, both pro’s and cons for both live in and live out nanny roles to consider if you are undecided.

A live in nanny’s conditions depends largely upon the family (and the ages and number of children).

Being a live in nanny may be the perfect fit for you.

Just as no two job are the same no two live in scenarios are either. It is a completely individual decision based on many varying factors which only you can determine if in the end a live in position is right for you.

A live in nanny tends to receive a slightly lower wage as the fact accommodation (and generally meals too) are included and taken into consideration when determining the salary.

There are few jobs that compare with that of a live-in nanny when it comes to the relationship you have with your employer. You will see them at their most personal level – in the morning in their dressing gown, know about their lives, etc.

Being a live-in nanny does not mean you are on call and that you can be taken advantage of.

You can still command the average wage and have ‘a life’.

It does however, mean that you need to be more aware of your after hours activities and behaviour and you do have less ‘freedom’ in what you can do as it is a family home. If you enjoy late night parties during the week this may not be the best option for you. Alternatively, if you like to host gatherings of friends this may not be for you as there are obvious limitations and boundaries.

The type of family you choose can really make a difference between a job from hell and a huge amount of fun and what works and is the perfect setting may not be for another.

Pro’s:

• If you are moving to a new area and/or overseas.
• As a live-in nanny you are to some extent more a part of the family as you are living so closely together (but it’s important to remember you are also their employee).  If you really want your evenings free, or the ability to do whatever in your spare time and not have to worry about late nights and such then this may not be the best option for you. Similarly while it offers the opportunity of being integrated into a family and family house, it can mean you are slightly tied to the job.
• It is easier to be asked to help out in an emergency.
• Accommodation and lodging included.
• Food bills should be met, within reason, by the family.
• You may have access to the family car (in work and out of work time). If you are asked to drive the family car, all insurance costs will be met by the family.
• You could have access to a phone line, internet.
• You are never (or never have an excuse) to be late for work. You don’t have to fight traffic or public transport. The travel time is zero.

Cons:

• The line is a lot less clearly defined than the arrangement with a live-out nanny.
• Because you live in you need to be alert to being taken advantage of for example baby-sit extra nights, they may arrive home from work consistently a little late, etc.
• You may be expected to be more flexible.
• You are more prone to having your private life examined simply because they can see what you do regularly.
• Normally, you can walk away after a bad day at work. As a live-in nanny you can’t. This applies to both you and your employer.
• Because of such a close living arrangement it has the potential for criticism and/or feedback to be taken in a more emotional way than it should or was intended.
• Less personal space and perception of independence as you are living in their space.
• The family see you in every light not just your professional capacity.
• You can still see and hear the children in your time off so downtime is not the same.
• Hours may be longer.
• As with any profession what you may find in one position you may not find in another. It is however more important in choosing a position that is live in that it is everything you want or would be happy with due to the living arrangements.

No two nanny positions are the same.

Let’s compare two live in positions.

Take 2 separate families with the same ‘position’ in that they both want a live in nanny. Let’s look at the positions assuming they were in based London as this is a common location for live in positions.

Family 1: Live in position in Central London.

1 child who is 16 months. The position is £340/week and includes all accommodation, meals, etc.

They offer you a mobile phone pre-paid which you are responsible for recharging. Accommodation is a single room at the top of the house on the same floor as the child and you share the child’s bathroom.

You have access to their car after hours (if they are not using it) and you get a free gym membership.

The hours are 7am -7pm

Family 2: Not as centrally located but still in London.

The position is  3 school aged children but it includes housework as well although there is another housekeeper who comes for 3 hours each day but the house is twice the size. The position offers £600/week and you get your own one bedroom flat which is 200 metres from the house.

You get your own car which is separate from the car you use for work.

They give you a mobile phone which they pay for and they take care of the flat costs aside from the landline phone.

You are required to do one night babysitting/week.

The hours are 7 am -7 pm.

The positions vary in so many factors but it depends upon what you are looking for and the family you wish to work for.

You need to decide what it is you are looking for and apply for those live in nanny positions. Just because you are looking for a live in nanny position does not mean that you should make major compromises on your lifestyle and wants, it does mean that you need to be aware of what it is you want and find the right family for you.

Both the families in the example offer a fantastic opportunity for the right candidate. One will be more suited to a candidate than the other.

While the later position looks better on paper (and most probably is in terms of perks and conditions) this type of family is not necessarily the norm (or one that would suit you). And what looks good on paper may not be all it is cracked up to be once you meet them.

The first family is more common or a family position that is in the middle of both examples.

A live out nanny is often a preferred choice of nanny role for some nannies.

As a live-out nanny, the arrangement is much more conventional in the job-like sense.

You arrive and leave at a set time every day. A live out nanny (also known as a daily nanny) generally receives a slightly higher wage because they are not receiving accommodation as part of their salary.

The bonuses you may be offered can be the same as those offered for a live in nanny position (i.e. mobile phone, gym membership, etc).

Pro’s:

• This may suit you if you already have a place to live.
• One of the major positives is you have your own personal space in going home at night. This is important to some and allows you to feel the distinction between work and home.
• This is also a better option if, for example, you find it unsettling to live somewhere different each time you change jobs or if you have a partner.
• Your salary is higher.
• You leave your place of work at the end of the day.
• You are less likely to be taken advantage of especially on the spur of the moment.
• You have independence and autonomy.
• More privacy.
• The family only sees you in the professional capacity.
• Your hours of work may be shorter than a live in nanny.

Cons:

• You will have all the responsibility of rent, household bills and the cost travelling to and from work.
• Travel time. You have the chance of running late despite all your best efforts based on transport options and time.
• If you are a live out nanny you may find that initially your days feel longer as you may have the same hours as a live in nanny, but then have the additional transport time to consider.

The positions vary in so many factors but it depends upon what you are looking for and the family you wish to work for.

You need to decide what it is you are looking for and apply for those live out nanny positions.

Just because you are looking for a live out nanny position does not mean that you should make major compromises on your lifestyle and wants, it does mean that you need to be aware of what it is you want and find the right family for you.

There are such vast differences between nanny positions it is hard to define what a live out nanny position is but you will find that one will be more suited to a candidate than the other.

And what looks good on paper may not be all it is cracked up to be once you meet them. You should take into account all the position, what is on offer and weigh up what you are looking for to see if it is the right position for you.

Ask any questions, discuss any concerns and clarify everything before signing a contract or commencing employment.