Making sure your child is safe, well cared for and happy is one of the biggest concerns of any parent. It can be very stressful leaving your child in someone else’s care and this is an extremely important decision you will have to make. There are no legal requirements on a person applying to work as a child carer (please visit www.ofsted.gov.uk), so it is up to you, as parent and employer, to ensure that you are employing a person who will look after your children well.

Please be aware that nannies talk NET salaries (usually weekly rate), not gross. You are responsible for paying Income Tax and NI contributions on top of that (find out exactly how much it will cost you at www.nannytax.co.uk or www.way2paye.co.uk).

Types of childcare

Nannies are usually qualified and experienced in looking after children of any age and should provide plenty of fun and learning opportunities in the safe environment of your own home. A nanny would take sole charge of your children in your absence.
The nanny is expected to be responsible for all aspects of a child’s life, including having a knowledge of First Aid. This also includes organising the child’s meals, clothes, laundry, bathing, cleaning the nursery and stimulating the child’s mind and imagination. She does not usually do other housework. A nanny earns up to £400/week net pay and can work up to 12 hours a day and usually has two days off per week, as well as 28 days/year paid holiday (which can include bank holidays). Babysitting and extra hours are by prior arrangement and paid extra.

Live-in nannies live with the family they are working for, who provide them with food and a private bedroom in addition to their salary of £200-£300/week net pay.
Daily/ part time nannies come to the family home each day and can earn £65-£90/day net pay working part time, or £6.50 to £9.00/hour.
Nanny-share is an arrangement where two families (or more) share the employment of a nanny or the nanny can bring her own child to work with her.
Nanny/housekeeper or PA is a nanny who combines childcare with general household duties or secretarial/admin work.

Mother’s helps are unlikely to have formal childcare qualifications but may be experienced. They usually work alongside the parent helping with childcare and general household work. It can be a way for the parent who may be at home during the day, to be able to come and go without worrying about leaving the children for short periods of time. They can earn £200- £300/week net pay.

Maternity nurses are trained and experienced nannies who can take care of new babies for up to three months after the birth. They are on call 24hrs a day and will usually work 6 days/week, employed on a short term basis. A good maternity nurse can provide physical and emotional support during the first few exhausting weeks following the birth of a new baby.

Au pairs are usually single young women (occasionally men) from a number of European countries. They come to the UK to study English, live with a family and help out in the home for a maximum of five hours a day. In exchange, they must have two days off and be provided with a weekly allowance (around £50+), meals and their own room. Au pairs are not registered or usually trained to work with children so are generally considered inappropriate to care for a young baby, but can be a good option when it comes to providing affordable after-school care.

Qualifications