I'm after a bit of advice as considering employing a nanny for the first time. I have three children, 7, 4 and 6 months. The oldest is at school full time and the middle one will go full time form November. I would like to return to work at the end of the year, probably 2-3 days/ week. With the older two it was more cost effective to use nurseries, and when they were older, I had an au pair to help after school/ preschool. I seem to be struggling to find a good child care solution for all three. The local (v good) nurseries have experienced a huge surge in demand and can only offer one day a week from the new year, good childminders are like gold dust and an au pair is obviously unsuitable for a baby and they are also v difficult to recruit as we live in a rural area.
I am therefore considering employing a part time nanny. As a novice, I would really appreciate any good advice on approximate gross pay, usual duties, contracts, registering as an employer, paying nanny tax. It all seems like a minefield! I am also a bit concerned that it is going to cost a large proportion of my salary. Does anyone know how childcare vouchers work and if these can be used for nannies as well as nurseries?
Thank you in advance