All the boring stuff (tax, vouchers) for nanny's employers as of post-April 2005

I don't get so far as to worry about childcare expenses on my us taxes because my income is below the level which I can take tax free as a bona fide resident of another country. But, beyond that level you can take a foreign tax credit whereby you deduct foreign income taxes paid to another country from those which you would owe on your income if you were resident in the US (betond the first $80,000.00 which is exempt for those of us who do not live in the US). You probably know all of this, but if you want, I can send you some lovely IRS publications on the matter.

I HATE US taxes.... so glad April 15 has passed!!

First Aid training courses are run around the country by St Johns Ambulance and Red Cross. There are also other local providers.

I would suggest that you take a look at St John Ambulance as they have an easy to use Online Booking System and you can find out loads of helpful information.

The trouble with current courses is however that they don't all cover the requirements for the Childcare Approval Scheme:

• dealing with emergencies
• resuscitation
• shock, choking and anaphylactic shock.

It's the Anaphylactic Shock that can be tricky to find on a course.

Early Years First Aid does include Anaphylactic Shock and meets the requirements for First Aid Training for nursery/pre-school staff as well as that required for the Childcare Approval Scheme . Therefore I would suggest that your childcarer does this course as it's recognised as being suitable. Cost varies around the county. Tip for those in London, have a look at courses run in Surrey/Berkshire which are near train stations, as it can often be cheaper travelling an hour by train to a venue outside of the capital.

Would check with Sure Start / Nestor to see if you can get one that counts towards her become accredited (and hence qualifying to the £50 vouchers)

Can't remember the web address... will have a look and post it if I can find it.

I don't think you are obligated to pay for her to take this class. But, it might be in your interest to help out. Perhaps you could pay for the actualy class, but ask nanny to attend class and perform associated course work on her own time?

I haven't had to find a course but if you are wanting suggestions on courses that are suitable then here are a few:

MNT are running courses - cost is around £60 last I heard.

County Councils / EYDCP's often run training courses aimed at Childminders. The course you need to look at is: Introduction to Childminding Practice. This course is listed by SureStart as being suitable. In Surrey area, cost seems to be typically £50-£55, though looking through the SurreyCC training directory, not many of the venues listed price.

DO I think you should pay for it... well, hard to say really. As you will benfit from the Tax/NI savings, perhaps as in exchange for the nanny spending her own time doing the cours, you pay the enrolment fee. That why the cost is sort of shared between yourself and your nanny - you paying the financial part, the nanny 'paying' the time element.

Well, she actually resigned. She has a job as a social worker which begins when she leaves me. I was SOOOOOOOO happy when she gave me this news. It saved having to spend a month with someone I had fired (although technically she would have been made redundant). She gave notice to leave 01 May. But as my maternity leave begins 2 weeks later, I asked her to stay on through the 13th and she said she would. It is much more pleasant now. I think because when she does the things that piss me off, I just shrug it off (okay not always, but a lot more than I used to) because I figure, oh well she's leaving anyway so no point in bother to address the issue.

This morning was her 3rd lesson. We have a Mac3 (three wheeler) and a Techno classic. Last week she took the mac 3 on the train because it was warm out and she couldn't figure out how to get the foot muff off of the techno. Snaps = LOW technology on my book. So, rest assured the TV will be way beyond her capability.

Yeah, it's the only show I have forbidden and she still watches it. This morning I sort of accidentally (ahem!) loosened the connection at the back of the tv. Nanny came to me at about 7:30 to tell me that there were no voices on the tv, and I just looked at her and said it didn't have time to look at it.... ha ha. Won't be watching Max and Ruby today. He he... I've contemplated this stunt for about a week. Oh what fun.

Nanny won't sort it out herself. She can't even open a Maclaren pram on her own.

it's cartoon on nick jr.

What's max & ruby? I haven't watched any children's telly for a couple of years now since I finished my job with 'big boys'...

Sorry about the (lack of) formatting.

Since we are sharing contract bits, here's mine:

Duties

The Employee will be responsible for:
? Care of the children whilst parents work, usually sole charge, including but not limited to:
o Change nappies, bathe them, feed them, put them to bed (ie. for nap time), take them to their scheduled activities (Jo Jingles, Toddler groups, etc.)
o Entertain them as appropriate for their ages (with minimal TV viewing). TV viewing not to exceed one hour per day. Max and Ruby is never to be turned on.
o Educate them as appropriate for their ages
 Teach them a foreign language (if applicable).
 Teach them to eat properly, including both acceptable table manners as well as the importance of a healthful diet. Establish and maintain regular schedule of meal times.
 Establish and maintain regular schedule of naps, as appropriate to their ages.
 Other education as appropriate to their ages and abilities.
o Ensure their safety at all times.
o Inform employer on a regular basis of children?s educational progress (or lack thereof), eating habits (including food likes and dislikes), and daily activities. This includes, but is not limited to, maintaining a daily Nanny Diary.
o Demonstrate an awareness that children learn by example.
o Notify employer as soon as possible if children are unwell. If any medicine is given to children, inform employer immediately and ote accordingly in nanny diary.
? Housework associated with children (keep their room(s) tidy, change bedclothes and changing table cover, empty nappy bin as needed, keep children?s bathroom tidy, etc.)
? Pick up children?s belongings (toys, clothes, dishes, etc.) from around the house and garden and put them away at the end of each day (or encourage the children to do this themselves).
? Laundry, ironing, hanging/folding, and putting away of clothes in their proper place for children?s clothes.
? Keep kitchen clean and tidy, including but not limited to the children?s dishes.
? Occasional babysitting by prior arrangement (and paid additional to the terms of this contract).

I'm just about to embark on the live in nanny so I'll need your help too!!!!!