Clueless about childcare

[StyleManual]

I need to arrange childcare for when I go back after ML. I work from home and don't earn loads. I would like to employ someone to look after my LO in my home and do some housework as well. Is this what a Mother's help is?
Has anyone had any experience of this kind of arrangement?
I would only be able to pay min wage with hours being Mon - Fri 9-3, maybe a half day on Friday.
Does this sound like a fair deal?
What would my obligations be as an employer? I suppose I would have to pay NI contributions and holiday pay?
Any advice?
Anyone got any useful links about employing someone?

You would be an employer and yes a mothers help would do some housework but think you would need to keep it to a minimum - nursery duties so anything related to your child would be normal and maybe a hoover round every other day if she has time, keeping kitchen clean is normal, ironing maybe when little one has a nap (let her have at least 1/2hr to grab a sandwich and drink though!!). I wouldnt be expecting mega bathroom cleans or anything like that though.

Min wage is fine for a mothers help but expect a younger person for this maybe somone with a years nursery experience s first nanny type job??

remember to quote gross wage and yes from that their tax and Ni would be payable.

Can you offer any babysitting as a top up or do you have friends who would maybe book her/him for babysitting and therefore makes it a more appealing job??

9-3 (or even 9.15-2.45) could be a great job also for a mummy with children at school so make sure you dont set your search criteria too strict.

Thanks, that's great. I was thinking it would appeal to someone with kids at school. Quite daunting employing someone. That's the only thing that puts me off!

If you are hoping for a Mum with dcs at school, you might want to advertise it as being 'flexible, around 9 - 3' or even '9.15 - 2.45 x 5 days' (depending on how far away local schools are), as they won't be able to be starting work with you and dropping off their children simultaneously, but it might well be quite appealling for someone looking for hours of work while their dc are in school.
You need to decide what you want to do about school holidays though, as that would lose the appeal for 'Mums' who might want to do it in term time.

Gosh I hadn't thought of school hols. Will just have to figure that out based on who applies...
I'd pay 4 weeks holiday. How many more weeks do schools get?! It's a lot more than 4 isn't it!

I think kids are in school for 39 weeks so that makes 13 weeks holiday.

Maybe part of the appeal could be if they have 1-2 children they can bring them to work in the school holidays on the comprimise their annual leave will be taken only in school hols (as long as that suits you) - this could then make up for min wage - just an idea

obv if they have 3 or more children this prob wouldnt work

I know a nanny who has 2 children aged 5yrs and 10yrs they have always gone to work with her (she has been a nanny along time) the children she currently nannies for are 2yrs and 5yrs and she is paid about £15 gross an hr but is also allowed her children to work before and after school and in school hols and it all works well (they all live in same village and go to same school) - so its doable