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Original poster

Grobags has found a nanny - questions please!

29 replies

grobagsforever · 06/07/2014 09:12

Hi all,

Some may remember my other threads, I've been searching for a nanny since loss of DH a month ago. I've found a good candidate and she has accepted the role. It's her first nanny role as she has been working in a nursery until now. Some questions if anyone can help:

  1. Are nannytax a good option for payroll and contract support? They seem pricey but comprehensive.

  2. Nanny will work 45 hours per week. 40 hours will be on four fixed ten hour days, the remaining five to be agreed each week e.g an evenings babysitting. Should I calculAte her holiday based on a four day week or in hours?

  3. how much detail to include in contract re nursery duties etc?

  4. any other top tips for contracting?

  5. Any tips for helping her settle in?

Many thanks!

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Original poster
grobagsforever · 06/07/2014 17:02

Thank you everyone. With hourly holidays will she literally book a set number of hours off? Can I insist this is taken in whole day (10 hour) chunks?

OP posts:
nannynick · 06/07/2014 14:08

  1. Nannytax do weekly pay, others will charge extra for that, so could be an option depending on pay frequency. Nannytax has been around since 1993 so have many years experience of both taxation for nannies and also for other domestic staff (StaffTax), charities and small business (quartzpayroll). They are the only nanny payroll provider who is on the Employment Consultation Forum and so are likely to know about upcoming changes before other payroll providers.

  2. As nanny will be contracted for 45 hours per week, holiday entitlement would need to be based on that number of hours.
    If they took a full week off, then that would be 45 hours. If they only took off 2 days, then that would be 20 hours and they could do the evenings babysitting on one of the days they worked.

Consider what happens if you do not use the 5 hours one week. Does that carry over or do you lose the right to use it?

  1. I would detail the main things but then have a separate sheet for tasks that are likely to change over time. You can then easily add tasks should it be necessary to document tasks in detail.

  2. Probation period with a review, such as 3 months. Shorter notice period during probation on both sides, so that if things are not working out the agreement can be ended quickly.

  3. What is there to do in the local area? If she has worked in nursery she may not know about local children's groups, or she may have already researched that. So if there are groups you know of, let her know where they are, what time they run.

Blondeshavemorefun · 06/07/2014 12:15

Fab. Well done

1 I like nannypaye

2 it's a 4 day week - will bs be the same night every week so nanny can plan stuff - also fab she will do that so you can get out and meet a friend for dinner /cinema /drink etc - you will need child free adult time

3 state basic nursery duties ie keeping children's bedroom / playroom / rooms she /they will use - washing kids clothes and cooking meals are the basics

4 and 5 varies with everyone

Ps when is bump due x

Lonecatwithkitten · 06/07/2014 10:01

As an employer with people who work different shifts I would calculate her annual leave in hours based on her total annual hours it is then much more straightforward for everyone.
I haven't employed nannies, but do employ au pairs. What I have is a list if things I am flexible about and a list of which must be done my way, again everyone knows where they are then.