How much should I pay her?

[Dancergirl]

I am starting a part-time course next term and I need to find before and after school care for one day a week. I really want my dc to be cared for in our home rather than a childminder etc.

Anyway my lovely neighbour, who my dds know and like, said she might be able to help. She's reluctant to accept money but I told her I could only do it if I paid her! But I haven't got a clue how much.

I would probably need to leave home at about 8.15am and be back about 5.30pm. So the job would involve coming to our house just before I leave, help get the dds dressed and ready for school, hair, teeth etc (youngest is 5) and drive them to school for 8.50am. Then pick them up after school, take them back to our house and just be around till I get home.

I'm really grateful that she wants to help so I want to make sure I pay her generously.

so 5 x 35 mins morning = 2 hours 45 mins
5 x 2 hrs 15 afternoon = 11 hours 15 mins
Roughly 15 hours a week, you could pay her what a local childminder would charge, what a local nanny would charge or minimum wage.( £60.00 £120.00 or £90.00 just a rough idea!)

If you pay her, then you would need to pay at least National Minimum Wage wouldn't you? She doesn't want paying... there may be reasons for that, such as the taxation implications.

So could you not respect her reluctance to accept money... and instead do something to help her.

It's going to be cash, I doubt she'll be declaring it. And I convinced her to let me pay her by saying its going towards her Handbag Fund!

Biff buster, it's only one day a week so only 3 hours pear week. What would be a generous hourly rate?

I think £20 for 3hrs would be a good amount.

I would say £20-25 for the hours you say. As a childminder I charge £5 per hour per child or £8 for 2 siblings, so this would work out similar. Many nannies are paid c £8 per hour, so again this is not far off.

BTW it may be safer tax wise, to buy her a £100 handbag every month instead!

ooops sorry didn't see that bit !

'Cash in hand' is fine if she has no other work - you don't need to register for any amounts less than around £95 a week.

She does have other work but this is just a casual arrangement. Will offer her £20 - £25 as suggested. Thanks.

Be a bit careful as I think you, as an employer, can be held liable for tax she should have paid - not sure if there is a lower limit for that... you need someone more knowledgeable than me, but I would check it out.