Nannies – expensive or cost-effective?

Don’t forget that if you employ a nanny, you’re responsible for paying her tax and national insurance. The paperwork this involves puts some people off, but Karen House and Louise Sheppard estimate that the process takes about 30 minutes every quarter. If you need help, there’s an employers help line for tax and national insurance queries: 0845 714 3143.

Once you’ve found her, how do you keep her?

It seems the key to a happy and enduring nanny-parent relationship is communication. This starts with a clear and realistic contract.

Key points to include in the terms and conditions:

• Job title, place of work, starting date
• Remuneration and any benefits
• Probationary period (usually a month)
• Hours of work
• Holidays (legal minimum is 4 weeks)

• Nanny Payroll Service (for employers) 01536 373111
• Nanny Share Network (for parents and nannies looking for shared childcare in and around London) 020 8516 5948
• Professional Association of Nursery Nurses (for information and advice on any aspects of employing a nanny) 01332 372 337