Daycare nightmare

An au pair is most often a European girl here to learn English. She lives in a family and helps with children and house for up to four hours a day in return for pocket money. She is completely unsuitable for looking after any child under three years of age. It is a mistake to think you can save money on childcare by leaving your baby with an au pair. Don’t even consider it.

When it comes to pay, you must be very clear and straightforward about her PAYE and National Insurance – just as you would be with any other employee. There are several agencies such as Nannytax to take the burden of this mini-payroll off your shoulders.

Unfortunately, you as employer receive no tax advantages for employing a nanny or paying for any other kind of childcare – unless you fit criteria such as being a single parent or are currently unemployed. Quite the opposite. Every penny of what you pay comes out of your post-tax income. Which, of course, it would be impossible for you to earn without it.

For childcare options in your area see the ChildcareLink website.