How many hours does a Nanny work?

A Nanny will work 8-10 hours per day, however this is negotiable. Hours should be discussed and agreed with your Nanny before employment commences.

What accommodation should we provide for a live-in Nanny?

The Nanny should have their own room with adequate storage and would probably expect their own television.

Do Nanny’s receive an allowance for fuel?

If your Nanny is using their own vehicle to carry out their duties, you as the employer would be expected to pay a petrol allowance. The current recommended allowance is between 30 pence and 40 pence per mile. Some employers will also pay for their Nanny’s car insurance.

What is a "Nanny Share"?

You can only operate a Nanny Share with one other family. If a Nanny looks after children from three families or more they would have to be registered as a Childminder.

There are different types of Nanny Shares:

Complete share: share a Nanny five days a week with children being looked after together · Part time share: families share a Nanny and children are looked after together for two or three days a week

Split week share: families share a Nanny and children are looked after separately, ie half the week with one family and half the week with another

Main family share: one family employs a Nanny full time and shares with another family for part of the week The share can take place at one child's house one day and the other's the next or operate on a week here, week there basis. Parents working from home might want to consider a share where the children are based out of the house. Nanny shares generally work on a live-out basis unless one family decides to have the Nanny living in and the other family pays half the wages and tax and contributes to the host family's costs.

Do Nannies Babysit?

Yes, however this is an additional duty, separate from their full time job. It is advisable to discuss at the interview stage the Nanny's feelings on additional hours and agree an hourly rate of pay. Even though most Nannies are willing to babysit, they should not be expected to work extra hours. Babysitting should be paid separately.

TAX

Who pays the Nanny’s Tax and National Insurance?

If you employ a Nanny in the UK and you pay her more than £105 per week (tax year 2008/2009) you have the same responsibilities as a commercial employer and the law requires you to:

  Register as an employer with HMRC

  Keep a payroll record and provide payslips on her behalf

  Pay Employee’s income tax and National Insurance Contributions

  Pay Employer’s National Insurance Contributions

  Provide an annual summary of all these deductions and payments

These obligations also apply:

  If your Nanny earns less than £90 per week in your employment but more than £105 in total (e.g. if she has two part-time jobs)

  To any employment taking place in the UK – irrespective of the country of origin of the Nanny or employer

Remember that National Insurance Contributions go towards your employee’s entitlement to unemployment and state pension benefits. Nannies are increasingly aware of their rights as employees and this should not be overlooked.

NET OR GROSS WAGE

When Nannies and Nanny Agencies agree a salary with the parents they often refer to the net wage – the amount the Nanny takes home each week. In reality the Nanny is always paid a gross wage (net wage + tax + NIC), and on top of the gross wage the parents are obliged to pay employer’s NIC. Therefore it is important to be aware of the total cost of employing a Nanny.

SELF-EMPLOYMENT

With few exceptions (Maternity Nurses and Nannies in continuous temporary employment), Nannies simply do not meet HMRC criteria for self-employment. If liability to pay tax is not declared to HMRC and it comes to light, it is you, the employer who will be pursued for payment, not your Nanny.

PENALTIES

Failure to register as an employer if you are paying your Nanny above the weekly threshold is an offence, which can potentially lead to heavy penalties.‘Nanny Tax' offers a complete payroll service for employers of Nannies. For more information on Nanny Tax please look at the website: www.nannytax.co.uk - they charge circa. £260 annually for this service.

Do Nanny’s get Sick Pay?

Statutory sick pay is stipulated by Government Legislation. Any additional sickness payment is normally at the discretion of the employer and should be stipulated in the Nanny's contract of employment. As an employer you are also responsible for paying Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) – but the latter may be reclaimed in full from the state.

Whilst we attempt to summarise general information and the law as accurately as possible, this is not a complete statement of general information/the law. The Agency is not liable for any loss, damage, or negligence due to errors or omissions. It is the Client’s responsibility to validate all information herewith and seek professional advice where appropriate.