A nanny is someone who has gained a recognised college qualification such as the N.N.E.B, BTEC, CACHE or other similar awards or is someone who has gained experience through the care of children from birth to ten years of age. A nanny can be left in sole charge of the children whilst the parents are away and take responsibility for the children in her care and all aspects of the children’s health and safety. She will also undertake all domestic duties related to the children including their washing, ironing, cooking, tidying of their rooms and be responsible for their emotional and social well being while the parents aren’t around. She is therefore not responsible for general cleaning of the home and cooking and washing other than the children’s.
A mother’s help doesn’t necessarily have to be qualified and is generally someone who wants to gain experience with children and tends to help with light domestic duties as well as childcare. Again, a mother’s help isn’t a cleaner and shouldn’t be expected to undertake all household chores.
A Nanny to fit into your life?
Before interviewing perspective nannies, you must think about your needs. How many days a week you would like someone, what time do they need to start and finish each day, do you need someone who drives, would you provide a car for her to use during working hours, would you like her to go on family holidays with you etc These are useful to know before a nanny comes to see you so you don’t waste your time seeing a nanny who don’t necessarily fit your lifestyle.
There are a few hidden costs to employing a nanny and these must be looked into before employment commences. Most girls state their expected salary as net, which means after tax and national insurance contributions. So for example, if you were paying a part time nanny £200 net per week net, there would be an additional cost of £59 a week tax and N.I on top of her wage. There is also all the ‘little extras’ including petrol and running costs if the nanny is using her own car, children’s activities especially in the holidays and all these must be taken into consideration. You must provide a payslip each week/ month showing tax and NI calculations. Ask us about Nanny tax, a payroll service for the employer’s of nannies.
Like any employer, you will be expected to give your nanny a minimum of four weeks paid holiday per year. If you take any more holiday than this, then the nanny must be paid, unless of course, the nanny takes more than four weeks of her own choice, then she will go unpaid.
Interviewing the nanny
Once you have thought about all the issues of employing a nanny, it will be time to interview your perspective employee. We will send you a list of suitable candidate’s CV’s and you can choose who you would like to see. We will have already scrupulously checked references, written and verbal, but for your satisfaction you can also do this, once you have decided on the nanny you wish to employ. You may be asked NOT to speak to certain referees until the nanny has handed in her notice otherwise this can cause all sorts of complications for the nanny!
You will have thought of specific questions you want to ask at the interview such as duties you require, hours of work, holiday entitlement, salary expectations but there are a few that you might not have thought of….
- What are your views on discipline?
- How long do you envisage staying in this job for?
- Would you mind looking after a newborn if we had another child?
- Would you baby- sit in the evenings for extra money?
- Do you know other nannies?
- Would you want to meet up with them with our children?
Deciding on your nanny and keeping her!
Once you have decided on your nanny, you will legally need to provide a works contract for you both to sign. Kent nannies can provide a draft contract for you to adapt and fill in.
If your nanny is leaving another job she will need to give notice to her employer so she may not be able to start immediately.
Try to keep your nanny happy. Make sure you are open about all issues so there are no worries of bottling up any minor problems. An occasional meal or bunch of flowers to show your nanny you appreciate her work. If you are going to be late home, try and give her plenty of warning and don’t forget to give her some overtime money when you get back, after all, she has a life after work too!
A yearly pay increase should be given without your nanny having to remind you!!
Just a thank you at the end of the day always works. After all, we all like to know we are appreciated.