Live in nanny advice - outside of London - whether to go with agency nanny or independently sourced nanny - (in our situation only need part time nanny)

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Been weighing up the pro’s and con’s

Solo parent household. Baby is 8 months.

Only really need part time. At most 4hrs a day.

Have tentatively been looking at nanny agency who can place a local nanny to come in for these hours a day.

This is what they said re costs involved;
£20 per an hour.
If she worked 3 – 4 hours per a weekday at £20 per an hour she would work 15-20 hours per a week and her costs would be
£300 - £400 per a week.
Our agency fees are £70 per a week.

I’ve been contacted by a nanny on an independent website (childcare website) local to the area seeking a live in role but ideally she’d like a full time role.
Yet to hear from her what she’s looking for fee’s wise.
(I imagine she’s not be classed as ‘self employed’ so there comes all the extra admin of navigating being ‘employer’ and all that comes with that)

I know there’s so many options and variants when it comes to these things and trying to work out what would work out best.

If I found the perfect live in nanny it would be someone who was studying also or looking for other work to go alongside just a part time nanny role in our home. Or just simply looking for a part time nanny live in scenario for whatever their own personal reasons may be. But I know that’s easier said than done when looking for part time live in.

I do see the benefits of a live in role as being a small family unit (just my daughter and I), my daughter would have a wider home life environment which will always be nicer for her.

But there’s also the predicaments of (from some posts I’ve seen) of it can go wrong.

Any advice from those with experience of any of the above would be great fully received 🙏

I tried part time nursery and the amount of times she has been sick in her first two months has been crazy. Also the hours don’t really co incide with the hours I’d need.

it’s a tricky one to navigate but whether it’s an outside nanny or live in. I think that’s the route we’re going to try to go for for now (rather than childminder or nursery).

Yes, I'm aware that SE employed status is linked to the role and the individual.

But that doesn't preclude someone doing a regular job as a self-employed person, if as you rightly say, they retain the power to dictate their schedule/send an alternative person in their place etc.

It's simply not the case that anyone doing a job for four hours a day, must be an employee and can't legally have self employed status.

I agree it's something the OP needs to look at carefully though.

If she has a disability and it is care while you are working then your local council may pay a small amount towards your nanny for you, like maybe £3.50 an hour. Have you asked for a carers needs assessment from your local social care yet?
Also have you considered an aupair? They have restricted hours which may only be evenings and weekends but might be worth checking in case it might work for you.

Our council also pays for payroll for our nanny which is about £250 a year.

If she's being employed and sent by the agency, then you are not the employer. The agency employs her. I'd get the agency to confirm this in writing (email).

That would be the most sensible and easier option than live-in part time. You'd be classed as the employer if someone is independent whether live in or live out, unless you can get advice regarding what she needs to have to be classed as self employed.

Au pairs shouldn't look after 3yr

Really for school age children

And usually work 7/9 3/6 as they study daytime when kids at school

@Blondeshavemorefun good to know. Thanks. I knew there were some restrictions but wasn't sure what they were.

I think live out would be much simpler - lot more at stake if you just aren’t all compatible etc. I have employed nannies to do 3hours four days a week and it has worked really well. Even where they have their own child and they have brought them too if necessary. Not used an agency nor a nanny tax type company- doing PAYE using the HMRC app is pretty straightforward for just one employee.