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Private Nannies
Private Nannies
What is a nanny?
A nanny is employed by you to look after your child/children in your home. Many have nursery nurse training or childcare qualifications though this is not compulsory. There is no national nanny register so, unlike other carers, nannies are not inspected by Ofsted. However from 6th April 2007 nannies (and other individuals providing childcare that is not otherwise required to register) have been able to join a voluntary scheme – the Ofsted Childcare Register (OCR). Registration under this scheme will demonstrate to parents and employers that essential standards of childcare have been met and will mean that parents employing registered carers will be able to claim working tax credits and employer supported voucher schemes if they are eligible.
A nanny can live in or come to your home for set days and hours. A nanny share cares for children from two separate families. This makes the cost of a nanny more affordable.
Registered with Ofsted?
Nannies are not required to be registered by OFSTED or the local authority, but nannies are now able to register voluntarily with OFSTED so parents can claim some of the benefits of childminders i.e parents can claim tax credits or childcare vouchers
- There are no legal requirements on a person applying to work as a nanny - so it is up to you to make sure that you are employing a suitable nanny who is able to look after your children well. If your nanny wants to be registered voluntarily with OFSTED, they can do an ICP qualification, which OFSTED recognise as core skills required to satisfy registration criteria.
- Being a nanny is a skilled and demanding job. Look for training, experience and a positive attitude to the job. You can use a nanny agency or advertise for a nanny but always interview them thoroughly and always CHECK ALL REFERENCES.
How much does a nanny cost?
- Rates can vary on whether a Nanny is live in, live out, his/her experience and responsibilities but can range from £250 to £300 per week.
Employing a nanny means you become responsible not only for paying the nanny's wage or salary but also for deducting the tax and National Insurance contributions.
- HMRC operate an Employers Help line on 0845 300 3900 or textphone on 0845 300 3909 for friendly advice on tax and National Insurance.
- You need to provide good working conditions, a reasonable salary and make simple tax and national insurance arrangements. Nannies are covered by national minimum wage regulations.
- For more information about the national minimum wage, or to order some free guidance please telephone the National Minimum Wage help line on 0845 6000 678
When should you start looking for a Nanny?
- If you are using an agency they may have suitable Nannies awaiting placements, but you will still need time to interview and to personally CHECK THEIR REFERENCES. If you decide to advertise for a nanny yourself and not go through an agency the process could take considerably longer.
Questions to ask and things to look for when choosing a Nanny
- Employing a nanny is an important responsibility because it will be up to you to make sure the person is able to look after your children well. Being a nanny is a skilled and demanding job. You can use a nanny agency or advertise for a nanny but always interview them thoroughly and always CHECK ALL REFERENCES.
- Free, comprehensive advice on making a careful choice is given in the Sure Start Leaflet Choosing a Nanny- a guide for parents. Telephone 0845 60 222 60.
- Look for training and ask to see their certificates.
- Look for experience and take up both personal references and check those from previous employers
- Also look for a positive attitude to the job.
How do I find a nanny?
- Nanny agencies and individuals often advertise in local papers and childcare publications such as Nursery World
- Kingston Families Information service cannot supply a list of individual nannies but can provide a list of local agencies in the Royal Borough of Kingston and southwest London so contact :
Kingston Families Information Service (FIS)
Room 16, Guildhall 1, Kingston, KT1 1EU
Tel: 020 8547 6582
Fax: 020 8547 6667
Email: fis@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
Visit: Open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday