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Original poster

Best friend wants to be DD's nanny

30 replies

NannyBestFriend · 07/07/2016 16:16

NC as identifying.

DD (17mo) has been going to nursery since she was 5mo, for 16 hours per week. Not very happy with it for various reasons and thinking of moving her.

My best friend, DD's godmother, works there, though in a different room. She's just finished her qualifications, and has 6 years experience in a nursery setting. She's been looking for a part time nannying job.

She asked me a few days ago whether I would consider giving her a job as DDs nanny. I said she would have to get OFSTED registered, as my childcare is part funded from uni. She said she would, but obviously needs to look into what this would entail.

I'd want her to have her whilst I was at uni, and I have also started a new job where I'll be working 1 or 2 night shifts a week (depending on uni schedule - v flexible) so she could come and grab DD before DP goes to work and I can sleep whilst she cares for her. But overall it would be between 15-20 hours per week.

I'm also thinking of getting a dog. She's recently got one, so I thought she could possibly take both dogs with DD for a nice walk in the morning, drop them back to their respective homes or leave them at hers while she plays with DD or takes her to toddler groups, soft play, the beach etc. I think she would be really happy with this as she would be walking her own dog too, and DD would love chasing around after the dogs.

Sounds like a brilliant idea to me. My DD worships her, and were like sisters - never argued in 12 years of friendship, and I know we share very similar views in how children should be raised: I would feel comfortable in raising an issue I wasn't happy with or whatever.

But I feel like this might be more complicated than it seems. If she is my nanny, does that mean I am her employer, and have to pay NI contributions etc.? Does anyone have any experience or advice on the situation?

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Penfold007 · 07/07/2016 18:04

This link might be helpful, it seems to explain vouchers, tax and so on
www.nannytax.co.uk/financial-support/childcare-vouchers

alltouchedout · 07/07/2016 17:44

Afaik nannies don't attract tax credit childcare funding so you may need to check that the funding yitu get from uni doesn't have similar exemptions.
And tbh i think it could ruin your friendship. Either she's your friend or your employee. Trying to combine the two rarely works.

jclm · 07/07/2016 17:40

You'd have to pay minimum wage, holiday pay and SSP (sick pay) and give her a wage slip each month. Also you'd have to pay into her pension. Not a cheap option...

ChristianGreysAnatomy · 07/07/2016 16:53

Sounds like. Sure way to ruin a friendship!
Oh I know that's really cynical and miserable but honestly I just wouldn't. You would have to be her employer, pay tax/ni, all that, and give her kitty money, and what if things weren't going well and you had to sack her. Urgh. I really wouldn't.

Callaird · 07/07/2016 16:47

A few things you need to be aware of.

If she is going to leave the nursery to work for you, there may be a clause in both your and her contract with the nursery that you cannot employ a nursery worker for a year after she has left and she cannot work for a previous client for year after the client leaves.

If she is going to continue to work for the nursery and do overtime for you, you will need to be registered as an employer. You will have to pay her minimum gross wage wage (or above), do pay roll for her and pay employers NI. If she is going to be a nanny, she cannot look after your child in her house for more than 2 hours a day. A nanny works in the child's home, a child minder works in her own home but has to register as a child minder and follow EFYS and do a lot of paper work!

Lastly, never employ friends or relatives! It very rarely ends well. My dad and his brother barely speak 30 years after dad hired him to work for him.