So You're Thinking Of Hiring A Nanny - Read This!

Hiring a nanny is a great way to ensure that your kids are well looked after – whether you’re a single mum who works full time or a part time worker who just needs an extra hand around the house. Hiring a nanny could cost less than you might think – it depends which part of the country you live in and what type of nanny you’re looking for. Obviously a fully qualified and experienced nanny will cost more than a nanny who is still in training. Here are a few tips to make your nanny hiring experience that little bit more straightforward.

Want Peace of Mind? Use an Agency

If you don’t fancy the idea of spending hours sifting through paperwork, checking references, CRB checks and trying to find the perfect nanny for your children, then it’s best to use an agency. There are many nanny agencies across the country that offer a professional service. They check nanny’s qualifications, experience and references as well as carrying out background checks to make sure you know who you are hiring. Working with an agency offers you some degree of protection should your relationship with your nanny break down or should you be dissatisfied with their services – most agencies will be happy to work with you to try and resolve the situation or find you a replacement nanny. Using an agency is also a great idea to cover periods when your nanny is sick or on holiday as they will provide you with a replacement.

Never Underestimate the Importance of Personality

Even if the agency you’re using insist that the nanny they have matched you with is right for the job, make sure that you and your children get along with her. Personality is key when it comes to finding the perfect nanny – she needs to be somebody who shares at least some of your values and beliefs, as she will be spending a considerable amount of time with your children – she’ll play a big part in their lives! Make sure she has excellent communication skills and also listens to instructions – she’s your nanny so she has been hired to carry out tasks as you request. There’s no point hiring a nanny who does her own thing and doesn’t respect your wishes!

Sort out Pay

Pay can be a tricky issue – nannies are usually self-employed, but this can be awkward for them as they then need to register with the Inland Revenue for tax purposes. By using a nanny payroll service (there are many set up in major cities across the UK), you can be sure that your nanny will have a PAYE scheme set up for them – all their tax will be handled directly by the service. They can also offer you advice as an employer on various topics such as contracts of employment, holidays, sick pay, dismissal and so forth. Registering with one of these schemes is worth its weight in gold as worrying about your nanny’s pay is probably the last thing that you need.

Meet the Children

It’s vital that any prospective nanny meets and spends time with your children before you make the decision to hire her. A few hours of alone time with the children is best, to allow her to get to know them and vice versa. Don’t make a decision straight away – wait until later to ask your kids their opinion as children are always startlingly honest when it comes to these things!

Hiring a nanny is a great move for any busy family looking to make the most of their free time. By following some simple steps and using your common sense when it comes to finding the perfect nanny for your little ones, you can ensure it’s an easy and pleasant process.

Wendy Derbyshire writes for various parenting magazines and blogs and has hired three nannies in the past for her own children, who are now teenagers. Using a nanny payroll service was a godsend for her as it helped her to navigate her way through the complicated pay and holiday issues surrounding hiring a nanny – she would recommend it to anyone!