Nannytax

[EdPops]

Currently looking to hire an after school nanny for when our DS starts school in September. We're considering roughly 25 hours a week - 3 hours after school Mon–Fri plus perhaps an additional 2 hours each weekday cleaning.

Has anyone used https://www.nannytax.co.uk/ before and is it the best and simplest route when hiring a nanny and looking after the employment / payroll side of things?

I used Paye for nannies for years and they were great. Either way use a payroll service! A lot easier

Definitely the easiest option, but not the cheapest.

The main issue you'll have is actually finding the nanny!

Gov.uk says

"You’re usually considered the employer of a nanny if you hire them and they’re not self-employed or paid through an agency"

What are the benefits / risks of taking on a nanny who's set up as self-employed as opposed to you employer them? I don't think the nanny we're considering is self-employed but i will ask just in case.

We met one last week through childcare.co.uk that we thought could work well. DH is keen to offer a considerable amount of hours to make the proposition attractive, around 25 hours a week – 3 hours after school Mon–Fri plus a couple of hours cleaning each day before school pick (and we let our current house cleaner go). I'm worried this sounds like a lot of hours though? Or is DH right and we need to offer enough to make it worthwhile for the nanny to take the job on (and stay!)

Almost all nannies should be considered to be employed. It's rare that a nanny is fully self employed as most of them don't actually know what paperwork they do in order to do that.
Many parents just pay the nanny cash (or equivalent) and basically ignore the employer side. You can too. I think it's a bad thing as there are implications on both sides if you get caught. In addition then the poor nanny doesn't get NI contributions etc. I once employed a 40+ year old nanny who had done this job all her life and I was the first employer to do it legit and she suddenly realised she did would only qualify for basic pension despite working already for 20 years. Very sad for her.

But yes it's expensive, you will pay tax and NI etc as an employer. If they are self employed then they will take care of that but you need to make sure that

Also, i freelance and work from home. Whilst work is relatively busy and consistent throughout the year i do have the odd couple of weeks here and there where work doesn't come in. I presume if we're employing a nanny we can't just change their hours ad hoc if i find myself suddenly work free and able to take on after school duties for a week or so? They'd be on a fixed salary right?

Sorry pressed post

You will need to make sure that they are self employed status as you are taking the risk otherwise and you are the one who could be held responsible by hmrc if they are not self employed

If you can be flexible in the hours you offer, not all nannies will be keen to take on cleaning work as well, you are more likely to find someone suitable. I do an after school job, with two later evenings and also switch to full days, dropping the evenings, in the school holidays. My employer allows me to bring my own child, and sometimes dog, in the holidays. I am fortunate to have found term time work that fits around the nannying.

My past three employers have used NannyPaye who I have found very good from my side of things. Very few nannies fit the criteria for self employment.

Another vote for Paye for nannies

I'm with Nannywage. Probably the cheapest but I'd avoid it, the agro just isn't worth it. I think the guy who runs it hates women.

Yes the nanny would be a on a fixed yearly salary, very unlikely you would find someone willing to suddenly take a drop in pay and hours whenever you don’t have work on, think about how you would feel if you suddenly didn’t have work for two weeks. You could say to the nanny you don’t need them to work, but would still need to pay them.

also nanny’s should only be doing child related tasks, anything else you would need to employ a housekeeper for.

I would also consider the working from home aspect. Do you have a separate office/room in the house to work? You would have to ensure that the nanny has sole charge of the children throughout the day and you do not interfere, otherwise you’ll find you’ll go through nannies very quickly