Due to return to work on Monday, and my Nanny quit by text last night

[KosmoKramer]

I am so stressed. I return to work full-time next week and had interviewed several Nannies, finally offering 27 hours a week to one person. Over the past few months we have ironed out the contract, have organised payroll services etc etc. She sent a text at 10pm last night saying she would not be starting.

I now need to re-advertise, but I cannot not start my new job...this could be my forever job. As I need sporadic, emergency cover whilst recruiting long-term, am I allowed to simply pay a casual rate? As in. not offer a contract? To simply say, can you work a week on Monday 9 - 9? As I have roped in family and friends, I just need odd days here and there mopping up.

Am I lawful in doing this? I have only ever employed Nannies under contract previously.

Many thanks.

Thats crap! Did she give a reason why?

Where about s are you?

Get an emergency cover nanny whilst you look for a new nanny. They're expensive, but it'll be worth it for the peace of mind.

*from an agency, I meant to say!

No reason given at all, IHope. I have a child with ASD also and I had spent so much time reassuring him about the changes. I am just so cross about it all.

I'm in Cheshire.

OutragedfromLeeds, I have managed to rope my old Nanny in to work some sporadic shifts for me, whilst I start the whole recruitment process again. I was just wondering if I can legally do this, as the casual nanny would need to be self employed. Hoping NannyNick or MrAnchovy might swing by as I know they're really hot on the legalities. I just don't want to break the law or unethically employ someone.

Thanks for your support!

As you have the payroll service sorted out the casual nanny could be put through as PAYE, no reason why the payroll company can't do that as far as I can see. You can agree a zero hour contract with the nanny, or if you can guarentee a certain number of hours per week or per month you could contract for that.

You can do holiday entitlement as per usual with it being paid on termination if needed.

Talk to your payroll company as they can advise you.

Thanks Nick. Appreciate your comments. Got a headache.

I am a qualified nanny, you can message me for my cv etc and I am happy to help out for the odd day or two if I can. (Returning from an overseas job next week and don't start my new job until the new year).

NannyNick - may I ask one more question? The info on regarding common core skills training for registering with Ofsted are so wooly on line. I have offered to pay for my old Nanny's registration...she has the following quals:

Certificate in Childcare & Education (Level 2) 2001
Introducing Childminding Practice (Level 3) 2005
Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools 2010
Advanced First Aid Certificate (Paediatric) 2011
Enhanced Disclusure (CRB) Dated January 2011
Food Hygiene Certificate November 2012 (Level 2)

She's also been working with me for a year. I am aware she would need insurance. Do you think these would meet the Ofsted requirements? I telephoned Ofsted who told me to phone my LA, who knew nothing about it...

Thanks Bella! Where are you based?

She has suitable qualifications but will need a new CRB which is done as part of the process.

Very unprofessional on new nanny's part!

I agree with nick that as you have payroll set up it should be a problem to put a temp nanny through on that although some may legitimately be SE.

Thanks Nom. NannyNick also messaged me to say he thought the quals were acceptable too.

And Bella has been in touch with her credentials! Thanks for all your support everyone.

She will need a new first aid certificate and insurance. ..thw crb will be done as part of the registration...just make sure the first aid course meets ofsted requirements-I use tigerlily training and would highly recommend them.

Absolute crap that she'd just leave like that!

what a nightmare, glad old nanny can help but yes i would try and get an emergency/temp nanny (like me and yes im self employed) in for a month, or even up to xmas and readvertise new job for jan 2014

i always have a contract even for temp jobs if booked for a few weeks/month

sounds like nanny to be has had a better offer, so prob a lucky escape for you, but doesnt help you at the moment

was she through an agency? can they shed any light on it?

and now dbs not crb :)

Blondes..No, she was off childcare.co.uk but her references were impeccable. Been with her previous family for 9 years.

It has just added so much stress onto something that had been so carefully orchestrated. Just had a meeting with DS1's teacher to make here aware of our childcare issues and that this may manifest in changes to DS's behaviour.

Bugger, bugger, bugger.