Pay scales for Nannies and Maternity Nurses vary widely throughout the UK with London being the most expensive place to hire a Nanny, followed by the home counties. Pay is also dependant on whether your Nanny is live in or live out. However as a rough guide Nannies earn (for a 5 day week) on average:

Live in: £200-270 net per week

Live out: £230-£370 net per week

Remember that if you hire a Nanny you are responsible for paying her Tax and National Insurance contributions and that you must provide your Nanny with a contract. For advice on Tax etc there are companies who provide accountancy services for parents listed in the useful organisations section. Also the Professional Association of Nursery Nurses (PANN) who act for Nannies are always willing to advise parents on matters relating to both pay and contracts for Nannies.

Maternity Nurses are self-employed and charge (for a 6 day week on call 24hrs) between:

£450-£700 gross per week (1 baby)

£600-£900 gross per week (twins)

£900+ gross per week (triplets)

or £8-11 gross per hour for night/daily work.

A Maternity Nurse should present you with her contract including her charges and terms and conditions.You do not have to pay any of her Tax/National Insurance contributions as she is self-employed.