Nanny Hours

[Yekrats7]

Hoping to get some advice here from either those who have employed a nanny, or even better a nanny themselves!
My partner is currently wfh but come January he will be beginning a new job. Part of this job will be meaning he is away from home for 13/14 hours a day, but there will be some days at home. This will only be the case for approx 5/6 weeks when he will then be back at a "normal" job hours locally to us. His working hours will be 37.5 hours a week.
We have two small children, I work very set shifts so know exactly when I leave and when I will be home. We are getting a nanny because this works for our situation, and will be basing her estimated hours on my hours of being out of the house.
My questions are:

• initially for the first 5/6 weeks we would ideally like a degree of flexibility, e.g: we don't need the nanny on Friday this week but we do need her everyday the following week. Is this unusual? Would we pay her for everyday?
• during these 5/6 weeks the hours may be slightly longer than when he is working closer to home once this initial period ends, maybe only by an hour each day, is this okay to change or would this need to be pre-set?
• can I ask the nanny to log her hours each week/month and we pay according to this without an initial expected number? (It'll likely be around 45 hours a week anyway)
• we have a set holiday ready and booked - can we ask the nanny to have her holiday during this time?

If you have made it through this muddling situation then well done and thank you!

Many nannies will like fixed days and fixed hours as they can plan their life around that. Some will be flexible, especially if you guarantee a minimum number of weekly hours are paid even if you do not use all the hours that week (no pushing unused hours to the next week... use them or lose them).

It may be easier to stick to the hours that fit with what you work. Having nanny around on the Friday could be of help as they can get to know all the family better and you get to know them. Also spending 1:1 time with a child, rather than always having all the children (if you have several).

Payroll wise it is much easier if the gross pay is the same every month. If it keeps varying you will be constantly contacting the payroll provider and your costs are harder to know in advance. You nanny will also not get a consistent income which may not suit them.

we have a set holiday ready and booked - can we ask the nanny to have her holiday during this time?

Yes, an employer can dictate all holiday their employee takes, though it is good practice to let your employee have some choice as to when they take paid time off.

If you need nanny every you need to pay her. Or she may get a one day job for example if needs income

But fine to give her the day off. Many nannies really appreciate this and makes more flexible if working later the usual hours

Many nannies happy to work longer but nice to be told in advance so they can make plans for after work

Holidays. It’s usual to split them so 2w your choice and hers and bh off

If you go over your 2w I’ve always been paid in full and time off

Last family went away every ht - 2w Easter summer Christmas plus my choice so often had 11-12w paid holiday

Tho that is rare