Advice on a few points PLEASE?

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Hi
Nanny of nearly four years leaving, new nanny (newly engaged at that!) starting.
Advice required, can't think too much atm

1. Leaving present for previous nanny. She is going from live in to live out position and asked for john lewis vouchers. We were thinking of giving her £500 -- but do you think this is too much to put in as vouchers? Should i make it half cash/half vouchers? I will get the kids to make something and maybe we'll photo collage etc.

2. New nanny - i would like to give her something for her start she will be a live out nanny. she just got engaged a few weeks ago just a small pressie really -- what do you think? some bubbly (don't know if she drinks? ) - she's 27

3. Lastly, we still have to buy a car for the nanny to use. she only drives an automatic and our car is manual. For the next few weeks till we sort ourselves out, she will have to use her own car. Does one just compensate for petrol until we get the car sorted?

4. new nanny wants to be paid weekly. we use 2 lots of childcare vouchers - which presumably would have to be topped up by direct debit. when do i have to authorise the direct debits so it's with her by friday every week?

grateful for all advice!

1. I would give half and half that way she can use some money towards something else ie an unexpected bill/a night away etc and still have money for her home.

2. A bottle of bubbly sounds lovely or even justa nice bottle of wine.

3. Yes you can - make sure she writes down her mileage and then you pay her upto the cost of 40p a mile.

4. Not sure.

1. Half/half is good

2. Chocolates are safer than wine

3. Max. 40p per mile is reommended. Make sure she has appropriate business insurance on her car.

4. Talk to your bank and find out whether she's the same bank as you. Internal transfers tend to take less time than bank to bank ones.

1. She has asked for John Lewis vouchers, so just do those vouchers (make sure they can be used online and instore). As a live-out nanny she may have things to buy, like carseats.

2. I don't recall getting presents for starting a job. A good present to start things off is for you to arrive home on time, or better still early and let her finish early. The first few weeks of a new job can be hard for everyone, so having slightly shorter hours can help ease everyone into it.

3. As others have said, 40p per mile is the Approved Mileage Rate. Give that, no more else it's taxable.

4. I would say on the Monday or possibly on the Friday before. It really depends on how long the process takes. Vouchers can take many days to process, whereas money simply between your bank account and hers could be same day, next day or 3 day. Experiment for the first few weeks... do it say on the Monday and ask her when she sees the payment enter her account.

thanks for all the responses!

nannynick i am working from home the first few days so will make sure i let her leave a bit earlier than normal!