Employing a nanny for the first time

[MarmMummy]

Hi

I'm employing an afternoon (12 till 6.30) nanny soon and am meeting with her this week to go though things.

I was going to do a job description/list of things to do etc. Is this normal? And are there certain things that she might expect/not expect to be on there?

Also. What do most people do about food? If I'm doing the shopping is it easier for me to write a menu or do they shop as they need it?

And a kitty for extras?

Oh dear..... now I'm beginning to think I haven't got a clue about any of this malarky!

I'm a nanny and I think the more information the better because then you know exactly what is expected of you and confusion which quickly leads to resentment is minimised.

I would argue put anything and everything on there however pedantic and silly you feel it might make you look. It's better (from a nannies perspective) to feel like your employer thinks you're stupid for the time it takes you to read the job description than be made to look like one day in day out due to lack of clarification.

Discuss food with the nanny. I personally have always had a free reign over the food I prepare for the children. Sometimes I do the food order and other times I plan my menu's from the food the mother buys. Be very clear about what you like your children to eat. Again it just saves problems later on.

A kitty is the best way forward. A set amount with receipts to be supplied every week I've found effective.

Good luck with your new nanny

Yes, a job description is useful. It is usually part of the contract/written statement. Such a document would also include things about salary, working hours, disciplinary procedures, holiday entitlement, notice periods etc.

ACAS: Written Statement (scroll down to Employee Questions section and click on "What should be included in my written statement?" to get a list of things to include)

How many meals would they be preparing? I expect it may be Lunch and Tea - which would be for your child/children plus the nanny themselves (food whilst on duty is a typical perk of the job).

Have a list somewhere that your nanny can add items to when they run short. Then you can get them on the next big internet shop.
Nanny could get some items if needed from a local shop but that may end up costing more.
A menu can be helpful at first as it gives your nanny an idea of what your child/children will eat.

Kitty for extras - depends on what you want your nanny to be doing in the afternoons. I would expect there to be some budget available for outings.

How old is your child / are your children?

What country are you located in? (may help with any legal aspects)

I think you have a DS who is 4, a DD who is around 2 and another DD who is around 2 months... is that right?

Thanks guys

I'm in London. Nannynick you are very close to being right (and now I'm wondering how?!!)

I have 4 yr old DS, 2 yr old DD but no baby (sob!)

Mumsnet search facility is How... but it's quite hard to put together info from various posts over the past few years - so sorry I got it a bit wrong.

As you are in the UK... assuming you have not been an employer before, have you got your New Employer Pack from HMRC? HMRC: Register as Employer

If the nanny does not give you a P45 from the last job, then they need to complete a P46.

In my house, nanny puts down what she wants, and I buy it (if it passes the nutrition geschtapo test). This way I know what is and is not going into the mouthes of my children. But, I accept I'm a bit on the anal side when it comes to food. But, I also do this to keep my budget in check.

I give the nanny a set amount of spending cash each month. I don't question where it goes.

Think about whether you and she are going to agree the holidays and put them in the contract or if you are going to give her the freedom to choose her two weeks at say 2 month's notice, and you choose the other two with the same notice. I prefer to write an initial 12 month fixed term contract and together we agree all the hols before the contract is signed.

If babysitting and overnights moight be part of the arrangement, you should also agree those rates.

And definitely include what would qualify as grounds for immediate dismissal. For example, if she stole your digital camera, would you dismiss her on the spot, or would you be comfortable giving a warning. I think a lot of people would feel that could not trust her with their children if they could not trust her not to steal their thiings. But, if you don't write that as grouds for immediate dismissal, you may find you can't dismiss her on the spot. This is just an example, try to think of all the things that could lead you to not want her to come back to work the next day... drunkeness, letting your children dance naked in the road, smoking in your car, insubordination (this one is in my contract)?

Ooh, good thoughts Strix.

Loving the vision of naked dancing in the road - my DD would do that every day given half a chance!

My gross misconduct clause has 'including but not limited to' and then a few examples.

It also has a no-penalty get out for me if the employer is in breach of conditions, so if they don't pay me or sort my tax and NI I could theoretically up and off - so don't be suprised if nanny requests something like that. It's not that we don't trust employers, and I'm sure you'll do everything by the book but it puts tge frighteners on those who might have been tempted/otherwise 'preoccupied'.