Nannies, Mother’s Helps & Maternity Nurses Guidelines

Childcare Staff and Nannies for Hire around the UK and in Manchester, Cheshire and North Wales

Looking for childcare staff or nannies? Make an enquiry about our childcare staff and nannies for hire by clicking here or alternatively contact us on 01829 730201.

We are registered with the Association of Nanny Agencies (ANA) and abide by their codes of conduct. We are acknowledged by Best Bear, The Good Nanny Guide and MNT (Maternity Nurse Training)

Below are some guidelines and general information about employing a Childcarer.

We recommend that you agree with your childcarer from the outset the following:

• A Contract of Employment (the Agency can provide the appropriate document).
• What to do in an emergency.
• Approach to discipline.
• Daily routines.
• Dress code (if required).
• House rules (if applicable).

As an Employer, you are responsible for:

• Nanny Tax (PAYE and National Insurance).
• Public Liability insurance.

Nannies

• A Full time qualified Nanny will work a 5 day week, although live in Nannies often work longer hours.
• Daily Nannies should not be expected to work longer than 10 hours per day.
• A live in Nanny will expect to be paid between £300 – £350 per week (net of Tax & NI) as well as full board and lodging.
• A daily Nanny will expect to be paid between £350 – £400 per week (net of Tax & NI) depending on the hours and their experience.
• The current rate for a part time Nanny is between £8.50 – £10.00 per hour, plus travel expenses, although some will charge more Tax & NI will be dependant upon the total weekly amount paid. (see Nanny Tax information).

Mother’s Helps

• A Full time Mother’s Help should not be expected to work more than 45 hours per week.
• A live in Mother’s Help will expect to be paid between £250 – £300 per week (net of Tax & NI) as well as full board and lodging.
• A daily Mother’s Help will expect to be paid between £300 – £350 per week (net of Tax & NI) depending on the hours and their experience.
• The current rate for a part time Mother’s Help is between £8.00 – £8.50 per hour plus travel expenses. Tax & NI will be dependant upon the total weekly amount paid. (see Nanny Tax information).

Maternity Nurses

• A live in Maternity Nurse will work up to 6 days per week. They will expect to be paid between £750 – £1,000 per week for the care of a single baby, more for multiple births.
• A Daily or Night only Maternity Nurse will also work up to 6 days or nights per week usually for 10 – 12 hours. They will expect to be paid approximately £100 – £120 per shift.
• Maternity Nurses are self employed and will make their own arrangements for Tax and NI.
• If your baby arrives later than expected, most Maternity Nurses will be flexible, however some may ask for part payment for the delay.

Please note that salaries in London are usually up to 15% higher.

Nanny Tax Information

Nannytax is the UK’s original and leading payroll service for Employers of Nannies and other Domestic Staff. They offer a complete support service to Employers and will take care of all your payroll responsibilities and also guide you through any legal issues that may arise. The annual subscription for NannyTax is currently £260 including VAT. Alternatively you can do it yourself by contacting your local tax office or use an accountant, but this is likely to cost a lot more. Nannytax also provides detailed information about Ofsted Registration and Childcare Vouchers.

The following information has been supplied to us by Nannytax for the benefit of our clients:

General Tax Information

If you employ a Nanny or Domestic Staff in the UK and you pay them more than £125 per week (tax year 2010/2011) the law requires you to:

• Register as an Employer with the Inland Revenue.
• Keep a payroll record and provide payslips on the Staff’s behalf.
• Pay Employee’s income tax and National Insurance Contributions.
• Pay Employer’s National Insurance Contributions.
• Provide an annual summary of all these deductions and payments.

These obligations also apply:

• If staff are paid £102 – £136 per week, but no tax or NI is due.
• If staff are paid between £136 and £142 per week, NI is due but no tax.
• If the Staff have more than one part time job, even if they are paid below the threshold.
• If the staff are in short-term employment (i.e. a week or longer).
• To any employment taking place in the UK – irrespective of the country of origin of the Staff or Employer.

As an Employer you are also responsible for paying Statutory Sick Pay/Maternity Pay – but the latter may be reclaimed in full from the state.

Remember that National Insurance Contributions go towards your Employee’s entitlement to unemployment and state pension benefits. Employees are increasingly aware of their rights, and an Employer who takes care of their Staff’s PAYE properly will be considered a good Employer in this respect and enjoy the increased confidence of their Staff.

Net or Gross Wage

Wages are usually agreed by Agencies on a net basis i.e. the amount the Staff have in their hands at the end of the week. In reality Staff are paid a gross wage (i.e. a net wage + tax + NIC).

On top of the gross wage the Employer is obliged to pay employer’s NIC. There is a considerable difference between the net wage and the true cost of employing Staff. Employers are advised to find out the true cost before agreeing on a net wage.

Penalties

• Failure to register as an Employer if you are paying your Staff above the weekly threshold is an offence, which can potentially lead to heavy penalties and career-damaging publicity.
• Failure to file Employer’s annual returns by 19 May can result in penalties of £100 per month filed late.
• Failure to pay all tax/NI liabilities before 19 April results in interest being charged on the amount outstanding.

Self-employment

With a few exceptions such as Maternity Nurses, Nannies and Domestic Staff in continuous temporary employment, Nannies and Domestic Staff do not meet the Inland Revenue criteria for self-employment. Remember if liability to pay tax is not declared to the Inland Revenue and it comes to light, it is you, the Employer who will be pursued for payment, not your Staff.

National minimum wage (NMW)

The current NMW is:

• £3.68 per hour (gross) for employees aged 16 – 17 as of 1st October 2011
• £4.98 per hour (gross) for employees aged 18 – 21 as of 1st October 2011
• £6.08 per hour (gross) for employees aged 22 and over as of 1st October 2011

Staff that live as part of the family household are exempt from NMW.

How to get started

Becoming an Employer for the first time can be a source of great concern. If you do not have a working knowledge of the tax system, the responsibilities and legal obligations involved can be both time-consuming and complex. Fortunately, inexpensive, friendly, professional help is at hand.

Further information is available upon request from the Agency, or visit:

www.nannytax.co.uk, telephone: 0845 226 2203 and email: mailbox@nannytax.co.uk

Childcare Staff and Nannies for Hire around the UK and in Manchester, Cheshire and North Wales

Childcare Voucher Information

With more working parents than ever before in the UK, Childcare Vouchers are fast becoming an essential part of daily life. The financial savings on offer allow employers to portray a positive company image. Employees are attracted to companies who provide well-managed benefits, which help them make big savings and achieve a happy balance at work and at home.

Childcare Vouchers are available to both male and female employees, and can be used to pay for the care of children up to the age of sixteen. They are widely accepted for all forms of registered or approved childcare across the UK, including all the leading nursery groups, childminders, nannies, out-of-school clubs and holiday camps. Whether it’s a stand-alone scheme or part of a wider, flexible benefits package, it’s easy to see the benefits of Childcare Vouchers.

*Based on the maximum voucher value of £55 per week / £243 per month for an annual scheme. The exact amount a parent can save depends on individual circumstances.

**Based on the maximum voucher value of £55 per week / £243 per month for an annual scheme.

Information on the Childcare Voucher Scheme can be found at: www.childcarevouchers.co.uk or call 0800 247 1237

Childcare Staff for Hire around the UK and in Manchester, Cheshire and North Wales

Ofsted Information

The Ofsted Register was introduced in April 2007 and replaces the Childcare Approval Scheme. It is entirely voluntary, however if families wish to claim working tax credits and childcare vouchers registration is compulsory. Families, with a combined income below £59,000 are entitled to Working Tax Credit for childcare in their own home. Families, whose combined income is above this, may also benefit by using Childcare Vouchers supplied by their Employer. Your Employer will need to sign up to the Childcare Voucher Scheme, who will either supply the vouchers to you directly or to your Employer. These vouchers can then be used to pay your childcarer, who can then redeem their value, usually by Direct Debit into their bank account.

Childcare vouchers are often offered as a salary sacrifice, and could save you £2,000 per year.

Registration criteria:

• The childcarer must be aged 18 years or over.
• They must have either a recognised childcare qualification or have attended a valid induction course.
• They must hold a first aid certificate which is less than three years old, suitable for the care of babies and young children and which covers dealing with emergencies, resuscitation, shock, choking and anaphylactic shock.
• They must have public liability insurance.
• They must do a new enhanced CRB check. This is done as part of the registration process. Only a CRB done through Ofsted is valid.
• The cost of approval is £100 which includes the CRB check and the certificate is valid for 12 months.

Further information is available upon request from the Agency, or visit:

Ofsted Registration is done entirely on line:

www.ofsted.gov.uk or for further information call 08456 404040

Nannies for Hire around the UK and in Manchester, Cheshire and North Wales

Financial

Please note that Staff may request to be paid their travel expenses if they have to travel a substantial distance to attend an interview.

• If you employ a Nanny or Mother’s Help in the UK and pay them more than £125 per week (tax year 2010/2011) the law requires you to register as an Employer with the Inland Revenue and you may be responsible for their Tax and National Insurance. (link to nannytax details)
• Part time Staff are often self employed and are therefore responsible for their own Tax and National Insurance and are paid a gross wage.
• Most staff like to be paid their salary on a weekly basis, either by cheque or directly into their bank account unless otherwise agreed.
• If a Nanny or Mother’s help is expected to work longer hours than recommended, they should be paid an agreed overtime rate.
• The Agency will send you an invoice for the booking fee once the 2 week trial period is completed and the engagement is confirmed.
• We strongly advise that you take out Employers’ Liability Insurance to cover the employment of full time staff.

For full details go to our Salaries, Fees, Terms & Conditions.