Summer childcare - how do I arrange part time help?

[KentishMama]

Hi,

This might be quite a silly question, but if I am looking for part-time help over the summer, e.g. a nanny who takes care of my five-year old 3 days a week for a four-week period, how do I set that up? I mean in terms of how I pay them etc. Can anyone direct me to a resource that explains the rules re tax etc in an easy to digest way?

Thanks so much!

There is not really any one simple guide as each situation is different.

Some payroll providers provide general information on their websites and you can get more information by contacting them and chatting through your requirements.
www.nannypaye.co.uk/help-for-employers

Someone doing work for you 3 days per week will also most likely have other income, so you do need to do payroll regardless of how much you pay them or for how long you employ them.

If it was someone who had no sources of income and if you paid them less than £120 per week - unlikely as you want 3 days per week - then IF that was the situation then you would not need to register as an employer... but it's a rare situation.

GovUK has some basic information, which basically says that you are considered to be the employer.

There will be people who would do it cash in hand, no questions asked. Some people will be legitimately running their own business providing a variety of care services and thus they would be able to take you on as a client for a short period of time, providing care at a cost that they determine. You would need to fit with the terms of the agreement they provide.

Oh wow, that is even more complex than I imagined! So basically, I either need to find someone who is self employed and invoices me, or go through all the payroll setup etc?

What about a childminder?

Payroll can be done for you by a payroll provider. Zest Payroll do very short payroll for domestic employers. NannyPaye does a 6 month minimum subscription that can roll to another year if not all months used.

Would be nice if there was some middle ground but there isn't... it's either find someone running their own small business who can offer you a childcare service that fits with what you need, or they are your employee and you do payroll.

Students can be good for providing occasional care like this, in some parts of the country there are agencies who do short term care like this, often using students, for example KoruKids but the cost may be higher than you were planning to pay someone.

I would have a look on sites like www.childcare.co.uk and see who is looking for temporary childcare work in your area.

Childminders can help you the children go to the childminders house make new friends fun activities and often outings as they are self employed you just pay there hourly fee typically around £4 to £5 and as they are ofsted registered you can use tax free childcare claim universal credits