Nannies A nanny cares for your children in your own home. Here we explain the different kind of service nannies can provide, how much they cost and where to find the one most suited to your family and circumstances.

In this article

What's a nanny? Ages covered Pros

Cons Typical costs

How to find a nanny Useful contacts

A nanny may or may not have childcare qualifications (you should check this before making an appointment for an interview).

As your nanny's employer, you'll have to pay her salary and deduct tax and National Insurance (nannies are covered by the national minimum wage regulations). You'll also need to ensure working conditions are suitable.

There are several different types of nanny, including:

• Daily nanny - comes to your house each day at hours agreed between you.
• Live-in nanny - lives in your house. You'll therefore need to provide a private bedroom and food - around 20 per cent of nannies in the UK live in.
• Nanny share - works for another family as well as yours. Your nanny may look after your child on certain days and other people's children on other days, or may look after both sets of children together (if another family comes to your house you'll need to check your insurance arrangements). If there are more than two families nanny sharing, the nanny will need to be registered as a childminder.

All ages, as agreed with you and, if appropriate, your nanny-share partner.

• A nanny can provide hours tailored to suit your needs
• She can care for all the children in your family
• She may be trained
• She can follow your own childcare routines and lifestyle
• Your child remains in her own home (unless it's a nanny share, in which case you may alternate homes)

• Nannies aren't currently registered by Government regulatory bodies. This means you're responsible for ensuring that any nanny you employ is going to provide safe and appropriate childcare, so it's essential you check all references thoroughly and speak to any previous employers
• Nannies may not be trained
• Some nannies are very young and may not have a great deal of experience with children, so you'll need to decide whether this is likely to be a issue
• You're responsible for deducting income tax and National Insurance from her pay

You must agree a contract with your nanny (and nanny share partner, if applicable) to cover hours, salary, holidays and so on.

Live-in nannies can expect to earn, an average:

• £328 a week (net) in central London
• £283 a week (net) in outer London and the home counties
• £258 a week (net) in other cities and towns
• £258 a week (net) in country areas

Daily nannies can expect to earn, an average:

• £408 a week (net) in central London
• £344 a week (net) in outer London and the home counties
• £299 a week (net) in other cities and towns
• £296 a week (net) in country areas

(Source: Nannytax 2007 wages survey. Figures are averages of full-time wages. They do not take into account variables such as the experience or qualifications of the nanny.)

Nanny agencies - there'll be a fee involved, but the agency should have vetted its nannies (ask whether this has been done) and may be able to provide you with someone quickly. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation can provide details of reputable nanny agencies in your area. Call 020 7009 2100, or email info@rec.uk.com.

Advertising - put an ad in your local paper detailing what you require, or answer an ad put in by a nanny.

Other parents - nothing beats a personal recommendation; ask other parents if they know of a good nanny locally.

Voice
Issues a nanny pack, which includes a sample contract and other useful information for employers.
Website: www.voicetheunion.org.uk

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