Nanny knows best

You are required to deduct Tax and National Insurance from your nanny’s gross pay. This is done through the Inland Revenue PAYE (Pay as You Earn) scheme. If you are paying your nanny less than the ‘lower earnings limit’ you do not need to make payments on her behalf but she can still pay voluntary NI contributions.

• Telephone your local Inland Revenue PAYE tax office request Employers Control Section explain who you are employing and ask for the Simplified Deduction Scheme tell them the amount you expect to pay: check it is above the ‘lower earnings limit’ you will be sent a tax office reference number and a New Employers Starter Pack
• If your nanny has already started request provisional figures over the phone; you need to pay tax and NI from the beginning of her employment

What about maternity and sick pay? You will receive leaflets about these from the Inland Revenue and there is a helpline for employers - 0345 143143

Finding out more about nannies

You can recruit a nanny, au pair or mother’s help using a specialist recruitment agency who will charge you a fee. The fee is usually the equivalent of several weeks pay for the nanny. The agency should give you a shortlist of nannies to interview. The agency cannot confirm the quality of the nannies - that is up to you. You will need to check references again, although part of the service is for the agency to check them for you.

Alternatively you can advertise in your neighbourhood or in a magazine like ‘The Lady’ or ‘Nursery World’. Local National Childbirth Trust magazines also advertise nanny shares.

Put a deadline date on your advert and use replies to your advert to draw up a shortlist. Invite at least two or three nannies to interview and make sure you ask for references and follow them up.

You can get more advice on employing a nanny from
PANN (Professional Association of Nursery Nurses)
2 St James Court, Friar Gate, Derby, Derbyshire DE11BT.
Tel: 01332 372337