Looking for childcare and want to find out more about what a nanny does? You’ve come to the right place! We at Yoopies know finding the right childcare option that suits you can be stressful. But not to worry, we’ve created a guide with all the information you need to hire a nanny in confidence.
The Nanny Basics
A nanny is a professional in-home childcare provider. They provide personalised care that’s tailored to the needs of each individual family. Unlike childminders, who provide care at their own premises, a nanny operates within the family’s home, creating a unique and intimate caregiving environment.
This guide helps you gain a better understanding of nanny responsibilities, job descriptions, the concept of nanny shares, and the distinctions between nannies and au pairs, ensuring families are well-equipped to make informed decisions regarding their childcare options.
What Does a Nanny Do?
A nanny’s job description encompasses a wide range of duties aimed at fostering a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for children. These responsibilities may include:
- Transportation: Assisting with school runs, after-school activities, and any other extracurricular engagements.
- Meal Preparation: Ensuring children are provided with nutritious meals and snacks.
- Routine Care: Managing daily routines such as bath time, bedtime, and any other personal care needs.
- Household Tasks: Undertaking light housework related to the children, including laundry, tidying play areas, and maintaining the children’s rooms.
- Educational Activities: Crafting engaging and educational activities that promote learning and development.
- Outings and Trips: Planning and supervising day trips to parks, museums, and other educational venues.
- Academic Support: Helping with homework and educational projects to support school learning.
Types of Nanny Arrangements
There are many different types of nanny such as full time nannies, part time nannies, night nannies and nannies who specialise in newborn care. They may live in or live out and provide flexibility and support to suit your families hours and requirements.
Understanding Nanny Shares
A nanny share is a cost-effective arrangement where two or more families employ a single nanny to care for their children simultaneously, often resulting in reduced childcare costs per family while maintaining the personalised care and flexibility that a nanny provides.
The Costs of Hiring a Nanny
Nanny salaries vary based on location, duties, hours, and experience. Urban areas typically command higher rates due to the cost of living and demand for services. Negotiating a fair salary that reflects the nanny’s responsibilities and experience is important.
As an employer, it will be up to you to deduct the tax and National Insurance owed from their gross earnings. It’s worth using an online calculator to figure out your total costs.
A Nanny salary can often be quite high. However, if you opt for a ‘Nanny Share’, the cost can be considerably less than a nursery.
What Qualifications and Documentation Does a Nanny Need?
A nanny can have as many or as few qualifications as you wish. When hiring a nanny, we recommend that as a minimum you ask for the following to ensure your children are in the safest hands:
- Background Checks: A current DBS check to ensure safety.
- First Aid Certification: Up-to-date pediatric first aid knowledge.
- Identification and References: Valid photo ID, a driver’s license (if required), and verifiable references from previous childcare roles.
- Insurance: Public Liability Insurance to cover any incidents or emergencies.
Your nanny may also have extra qualifications, for example, training for special needs, food hygiene, cookery, further childcare qualifications, or certifications. You can, of course, request your nanny to undergo extra training, however, if it is at your request, it is usually expected that you, as the employer, will finance this.
Does a Nanny Need to be Ofsted Registered?
While not mandatory, hiring an Ofsted-registered nanny offers benefits, including eligibility for tax relief on childcare costs. Registration signals that a nanny has met specific standards in childcare and undergone necessary checks and training.
There is no legal obligation to hire an Ofsted registered nanny. However, it does offer financial advantages. Parents with an Ofsted registered nanny are able to claim tax relief on their childcare costs, through schemes such as childcare vouchers and tax-free childcare.
It is often at the employer’s request that a nanny registers with Ofsted, and as such, you may consider contributing to their registration.
Ofsted registration is also very advantageous for nannies, by helping them harness and develop their childcare skills through further training. Being Ofsted registered reassures parents that their nanny has undertaken essential checks and childcare training.
Is There a Difference Between a Nanny and an Au Pair?
It’s important to differentiate between a nanny and an au pair. Nannies are professional childcare providers, often with significant experience and sometimes with formal education in childcare.
In contrast, au pairs are usually young individuals from abroad, living with a host family to help with childcare and light housework in exchange for the opportunity to learn the language and culture. Au pairs typically work fewer hours than nannies and receive pocket money rather than a salary.
Ready to Go?
Now that you know the basics, your next step is to find a nanny near you!
Check out our guidance on how to write a nanny contract.