Nanny job...question from beginner.

[giddy1]

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I think they're being unrealistic in their expectations! I am sure the usual crowd will be along to put it better, but my understanding is that a nanny is an employee so they have to pay NIC and tax. If they don't do so, I think they are at greater risk than you because they would be exposed to a fine, but it's not great for you if you aren't building up NIC. I am sure there are lots of other people out there who would be happy to employ you on the normal, formal basis...

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Well, the other thing is would they agree a minimum no. of hours per week or do they want completely "flexible" childcare? We all have our own finanical responsibilities to meet. Plus what about holiday entitlements and everything. If they want a childminder, there are plenty out there. You are offering more flexible care as a nanny in their own home and without the distraction of other children so they can't expect to pay you like a childminder, imo!

If they want you to be their nanny and care for their child at their home, then they are employers (generally speaking) so they will need to do the paperwork tax/ni etc.

If on the other hand, you cared for their child at your home, once your Childminder Registration has come through, then you are self-employed for that, so you could charge them an hourly rate for contracted hours.

However, from their message they may only be wanting to pay for actual hours used, which may vary. Not ideal.

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Yes, perhaps they are confused. Maybe you could clarify with them regarding if they want care in their home, or if they want to take their child to someone else's home. Then you can explain to them about the rules that apply for what they are wanting.

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Don't think so... though try bestbear.co.uk and nannytax.co.uk I expect will have something useful about employers of nannies deducting nannies tax/ni.

However, you don't need to tell them about both types of care, just establish which type they want at this point and then tell them about that type and how you can help them.
If they want a nanny, then you may find it better talking with them using Gross Salary figures rather than net.

I'd say that they want to pay you cash in hand for the hours you work. That probably means no contract, no holiday pay, no sickness pay, no tax and national insurance. If you don't want that, then they're not for you.

it is illegal for someone to have a nanny and not employ her (or him).
Nannies genaally do not fit inland reveneue criteria for being slef employed eitehr... so if they want a person to come and work for them in their home then basically yes they need a nanny and they eitehr need to employ her OR find alternative childcare ie with a childminder / nursary

should inland rev find out they are paying a nanny cash in hand they will face a £3k fine.

If they cant afford a nanny then they shouldnt have a nanny.... end of... yes employing a nanny is expensive, its a fact of life!

It is illegal. Period. If you employ a nanny and she earns more than £90 a week in total salary (from one job or more), parents are required to register as Small Employers with companies like nannytax or way2paye who handle all the payslips, taxes etc.

Those parents are responsible for not only paying your tax and national insurance, but also Employer's National Insurance.

Don't let anyone jerk you around! Especially if you're a professional. There's a site that talks about Nanny Rights and Nanny Careers. nanny-nanny.co.uk.

I'm thinking about employing a nanny as soon as I have my first child!

Hey, are you the same Giddy1 from the Due in June 2005 thread? If so, how the heck are you?!?!? (Uwila here, by the way)

I'm afraid I don't think this man deserves the benefit of any doubt. He knows full well what he is saying. He wants to pay you cash in hand and he wants not to take on any employer responsibilities. He picked up on the "net" very quickly. And he knows full well what it meant.

You could, however, offer to provide these services in your own home (if you want to). Then, it's perfectly realistic for him to pay you cash. However, he should still expect to pay you when he doesn't show up (i.e. his holidays, if the child is sick, etc.)

My current but soon departing nanny has an arrangement like this. She is our full time live in nanny. A while ago I told her I didn't mind if she wanted to pick up more work in the form of a share so long as it didn't impact the care given to my kids. She now looks after another child in my DD's class and a younger sybling. The other family pays her in cash and only when they need her. They cancel at the last minute. They take loads of holiday. And so on. So my nanny does not have the level of income she expected from this family. And she isn't very happy about it. I wouldn't take this on if I were you. You could end up in a position of them expecting you to be avaibale but then not wanting to pay you if they don't show.

"My current but soon departing nanny has an arrangement like this."
I mean the other family is an arrangement like this. Not us. We take on all the joys of being employers. I love Gordon Brown. [joke]

Look, this sort of behaviour is frankly not acceptable. What this man is suggesting is ILLEGAL. End of.

He lies and steals from the state. What sort of employer would he be anyway?

Sanctimonious? Maybe. But you would be being ripped off too. You need to have a record of paying NIC contributions.

Actually, I don't think he is a bad evil person. A lot of people really struggle to make ends meat. And I do think it's appalling that normal people (assuming they are normal!) can't afford to back to work in this country. God knows I've got my own soapbox here on this subject. But, at the end of day, Giddy, (if you are who I think you are) you are a lovely person and you deserve better.

To be honest there is a complete double standard when it comes to fiddling taxes, Eleusis, and you've just articulated it...

Not being mean to you at all, but I have noticed it before. Fiddling taxes is the acceptable face of theft. But here, the nannytobe will lose any contribution record and there is a potential penalty position for her as well.

I'm not defending him Quattro. I'm just saying I sympathise with the predicament.

Of course this illegal. I just don't think it makes him an evil person.

Quite frankly I think if we want to go on moral ground, we SHOULDN't have to pay taxes on childcare. I even think the money I earn and use to pay childcare should be exempt from all taxes. If this were the case, people could afford to pay nannies more money. And I would far rather give the money to my lovely nanny that the tax and waste monger PM in waiting Brown.

And on that note, I best get off this thing and go home and relieve the nanny from duty...