self employed temporary Nanny

[MrsAndre]

Hi, Im after some advice please,I have been offered a nanny job whilst I start my childminding registration, looking after children in the family home. As it is temporary, do I register as self employed? Do I need liability insurance and if so how do I get it? It will be for a few months until Im registered as a childminder. Anythiny else I should be aware of? Many thanks x

Your best option is find out what days/hours your expected or will it be ad hoc, the former will likely rule you out of SE status whereas the latter should be ok, gather the details and phone HMRC as flexibility to choose our working hours etc is a key to being seen as employed or SE by them.

Do the parents want/need you to be Ofsted registered so they can use childcare vouchers from work/childcare element of working tax credit? If so you will need to register on the Voluntary Register as a nanny as well as the compulsory childminder register(s).

There is nothing to stop you registering as self employed now. If you put that in place and get insurance that will cover you for looking after children either as a nanny or a childminder (I believe Morton Michel's childminder policy is wide enough to do that, but do check with them), it will help establish that you can be self employed in the temporary nanny role. However this does need to be agreed with HMRC specifically for the nanny role. I wouldn't use the term 'nanny' with HMRC, refer to your business as 'home based child care' which will cover both nannying and childminding. Even so, if it is a full time job for more than a couple of weeks you are going to have a hard time persuading HMRC it is not employment.

You don't need insurance to work as a nanny - or for that matter as a childminder, although childminders are much more likely to be subject to a claim and if you are Ofsted registered you agree that you will obtain and maintain insurance.

As MrA says you don't need insurance legally as a nanny but bear in mind a child you cared for has Until it's 21st birthday to bring a claim against you. Do check out Morton Michel's FAQ page