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:
Cons:
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:
Cons:
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.