After School Babysitter Notice Period?

[roses2]

I've got an after school babysitter who started two weeks ago and spends ~2 hours per day / 10 hours per week with us. It's not going well and I'd like to end the agreement. Is it normal to give a notice period? We don't have a formal contract. I really don't want her looking after the kids once I advise her I'm ending the agreement. The main reason why I want to end the agreement is because she is constantly glued to her phone. I've asked her not to use the phone but she still uses it according to them.

I’d just tell her it’s not working out and you won’t be needing her anymore, pay her what she’s due.

Thanks. I've got an interview with another babysitter today so see how that goes then let the existing one know it's not working. I pay her £12/hour and expected better engagement with the kids than what I'm getting now.

Is she self-employed or are you employing her?

After school babysitter at £12 per hour? It sounds like you've got a nanny! And a bad one at that.

Unfortunately that seems to be the going rate these days. It's almost impossible to find someone who has availability every school day and I'm in zone 2 London!

They have worked for less than a month, so I do not think that Statutory Notice applies: www.acas.org.uk/notice-periods/notice-when-being-dismissed-or-made-redundant

Have you told them that you don't want them using their phone? It is hard to find people to do such short hours, so addressing the issue may result in you keeping them on. If it is not a fixable situation, I would pay them for work done and perhaps through to end of the week.

I'd give them a £20 and say circumstances have changed and you won't be needing them.

She'd officially be in her trial periods wouldn't she ? In which case I think either party can part waves, perhaps check officially though

Yes I have asked her to stop using her phone but given she's on it constantly it's a hard habit to break. In her first week she asked if she could also collect another 4 year old child and look after him along with my children. When I asked her where they would go and what her new hourly rate is she replied she hoped she could bring the new child to my house and her hourly rate would be the same.

Whilst she is reliable, on time and does what I ask her to do, it's the general attitude I don't like and feel like I'm constantly having to watch her.

Wow you could find a registered inspected and insured childminder who would give both a dinner for less than that

If you want to follow the law its one week's notice.

Asking to do a nannyshare in the first week without any rate reduction, yeah that's not a good sign.

It's not working out, so find a way to end it. Pay in lieu of notice if necessary.

She isn’t a babysitter. She’s a nanny

But you aren’t happy. Been there two weeks. I would say tomorrow it’s not working out and give her a weeks money

She isn’t a babysitter. She’s a nanny

How is the difference defined?

I interviewed someone else a few days ago but she is a final year student and may have a timetable change in November and she will know by end of next week. So I may be stuck with the current one for awhile longer.

It's so hard this year. I used to have an au pair. Since both Brexit and covid it's been really hard to find reliable childcare. I signed up to childcare premium, messaged around 50 people and the current one is the only one who had availability to pick up the kids every day :(

Babysitting is usually between 6pm-2am, doesn't need to be registered and is casual/informal.

If you pay someone to care for your child regularly in the daytime in your own home they are a nanny and you are probably their employer. They have employment rights and are entitled to a contract and you should be running payroll.

Babysitting is usually when kids in bed asleep in evening

Not looking after children in the daytime

A lot of people call this role a 'home help'.