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Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

Should parents pay nanny's for the nanny to take them out?

244 replies

NannyL24 · 17/04/2025 21:41

Can I have some advise please I started working as a registered nanny for a nurse last September due to cold weather and dark nights and alot of evening shifts I haven't needed to take the children out and they haven't wanted to they've been happy enough staying home playing outside with friends and playing games with me and other games they already have. However with it becoming warmer and the holidays I have said from day one of starting I am happy to take the two (6 years old and 8) to museums, bowling, cinema, parks etc. However this was recently brought up and the parent said I could get paid back this via tax which wouldnt be while a year later on a tax return and i doubt daily outings can be given back, I have said no to this due to working for an Income and not funding the children for a year out of my wages. Are parents meant to pay for their own children outings and even my costs as I am working? Just need some advise with me being new to this. Plus the mum already gets 80 percent back for childcare costs so doesn't pay my full wages out of her own wages

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FearistheMindKillerr · 17/04/2025 21:44

Sounds like you’re working for CFs. Bet they’re loaded, too.

Stickortwigs · 17/04/2025 21:44

That’s outrageous. Of course they should pay, for you and the children.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 17/04/2025 21:45

Is it their first time using a nanny?

ArtTheClownIsNotAMime · 17/04/2025 21:45

They should pay all costs but they obviously won't, so you'll either need to do free trips only or stay in the house.

2025willbemytime · 17/04/2025 21:46

They pay all costs. Travel and entrance for the kids and you.

Justyouwaitandseeagain · 17/04/2025 21:46

Yes they should pay all costs - for the child and you as the carer/nanny

BeansCounter · 17/04/2025 21:46

To my mind, this isn't something that you should be paying/out of pocket for. It should be agreed expenses with the parent/employer.

I would expect you to discuss, agree activities and price or be given a weekly allowance to spend as you see fit on suitable outings within agreed parameters.

I'm not a nanny though and have never employed one.

TwentyTwentyFive · 17/04/2025 21:46

Of course they pay for the children and you to attend places. That's completely normal expected behaviour and I say that as someone who has never used a nanny. It's common knowledge surely!

IsThisLifeNow · 17/04/2025 21:47

So the parents are expecting you to pay to take their children places?

I always thought if they wanted you to take them places they paid for both you and the children. But if it's you pushing for the expensive outings then I can see why they wouldn't want to pay.

JillAndJenTheFlowerpotMen · 17/04/2025 21:47

Are you in the UK and are the parents likely to be familiar with UK law?

Justyouwaitandseeagain · 17/04/2025 21:47

BeansCounter · 17/04/2025 21:46

To my mind, this isn't something that you should be paying/out of pocket for. It should be agreed expenses with the parent/employer.

I would expect you to discuss, agree activities and price or be given a weekly allowance to spend as you see fit on suitable outings within agreed parameters.

I'm not a nanny though and have never employed one.

Agree with this too - all trips and costs or a weekly allowance agreed in advance

PartyGoose · 17/04/2025 21:47

Absolutely the parents should pay all the costs of taking the children on any outings!

CopperWhite · 17/04/2025 21:49

They pay upfront or their children stay at home and visit the park.

EwwSprouts · 17/04/2025 21:50

Your earnings are yours to keep. The parent should pay for outings for all of you..

RareGoalsVerge · 17/04/2025 21:54

If they are proposing to deal with it "through tax" what they mean is they want to fraudulently count these costs as tax-deductible expenses, which they are not.

No this isn't normal. Many employees will pay for modest incidental expenses from their own pocket and will then have a system for paying that back within a couple of weeks. As a rule of thumb, if your salary is £30kpa then the company owing you an occasional £30 for 3 weeks isn't too bad. When I had a job where the expenses bill could regularly be several hundred pounds in a month they arranged a credit card for me where they paid the bill and I never had to use my own money.

Keep yoir boundaries firm "I'm not in a position to spend my own money on this. Either you can set up a kitty for trips and treats or otherwise we'll just be staying at home."

Vinvertebrate · 17/04/2025 22:00

Good grief, we gave my nanny a credit card on our account back in the day. (Admittedly had to ask her to rein it in a bit after a while!) They are absolute CF.

Hotflushesandchilblains · 17/04/2025 22:01

I never paid for outings when I was a nanny, nor would I have dreamed of it. The people you are working for are being ridiculous.

Original poster
NannyL24 · 17/04/2025 22:05

JillAndJenTheFlowerpotMen · 17/04/2025 21:47

Are you in the UK and are the parents likely to be familiar with UK law?

Hi,
I am in the UK and she is UK also what do you mean by this?

OP posts:
Lovelysummerdays · 17/04/2025 22:06

Normally they’d give you a card or a kitty. If you use your car charge 45p mileage too. Take photos of any receipts as you go.

If not willing to pay then look after them at home.

Original poster
NannyL24 · 17/04/2025 22:07

ToKittyornottoKitty · 17/04/2025 21:45

Is it their first time using a nanny?

Hi,

No apparently she said in the past the nanny claimed the expenses back which I don't feel is right

OP posts:
Waterlilysunset · 17/04/2025 22:07

This is madness. Of course they give you up front cash for all kids food, travel, leisure and yours while in your care

Original poster
NannyL24 · 17/04/2025 22:08

IsThisLifeNow · 17/04/2025 21:47

So the parents are expecting you to pay to take their children places?

I always thought if they wanted you to take them places they paid for both you and the children. But if it's you pushing for the expensive outings then I can see why they wouldn't want to pay.

Hi,

Nope I suggested museums before (free) and take them on the bus and bring food with us. It's her who has brought taking them out again I am happy to take them cheap places but she has said they will have to attend free places if I do not pay

OP posts:
Eldermillennialmum · 17/04/2025 22:11

That seems odd but maybe she just doesn't have the budget for it plus if she's potentially paying for cinema tickets for you plus two kids it will be expensive. Just take them to the park, museums, walks...

anotherjoy · 17/04/2025 22:12

I nannied years ago and was a 2nd holder on a credit card so could pay for trips with that, plus had a purse with £20 cash in that got topped up weekly in case where I went didn’t take card! I could also fill my car with petrol whenever I needed to and put it on their account (village garage).

The parents never questioned what I had spent or what I did unless there was an unusual payment go on there (like a log burner company as they were running a pumpkin patch one year)

HarlequinWrapingPaper · 17/04/2025 22:12

That’s outrageous. Don’t take them anywhere else. You shouldn’t be paying anything at all for someone else’s children when you are a nanny.

they are taking advantage of you.