ad-hoc childcare

[crazyscientist87]

Dear mumsnetters,
I've come across sites such as likeminders, sitters and childminders for occasional daytime childcare/babysitting. What I'm not sure about is the tax side of payment. For e.g. I know that if I was to employ a p/t or f/t nanny, then i would have to pay their NI/tax. What happens when I get an individual from one of the above mentioned places to look after my children either in my home or while accompanying me somewhere?
Thanks.

bump

Well your post is a little contradictory so maybe you're unsure of the job titles.

A babysitter will come to your house to look after just your children usually on an ad hoc basis.

However a childminder looks after several children from different families and always in the CMs home. A cm is self employed and you pay a fee for the service. They will complete a tax return and pay their own tax.

A babysitter should do the same as its unlikely to be their only work. Most probably work cash in hand and don't declare it though.

Hi Nicknacks,
thanks for the clarification. I've never employed anyone before for any kind of childcare so I probably did get the titles confused.

I hope my post didn't come across like I was telling you off. I've just read it back and it sounds like I am. Sorry!

Just wanted to clarify the differences to hopefully aid your research.

no worries nicknacks - i understood how you meant it :)

Im a CM so Im self employed and do my own tax return. You don't need to worry with a childminder, you are not paying wages you are paying a fee for their service. they will sort out their own tax.

In your home they will probably charge you a lot more, I charge £3.50 per hour per child, but I am allowed 6, (but take 4 max as that is a ll i can fit in the car for school pick ups) if you are employing them in YOUR home then they are essentially babysitters. If you use a registered CM then she/he will be covered to babysit by insurance providing a risk assessment is conducted, and a babysitting check list is filled out, but a CM will charge a lot more to come to your home as is narrowing options, but will still be self employed.