Definitions
A mother's help (or father's help) is a person who helps you look after your child/children in your home. A mother's help can live in the home or live out.
An au pair is a person who comes to live with you as a member of the family to learn a new culture and study. An au pair will work a small amount of hours looking after your child/children and your home. There is a limit to the number of hours an au pair can work, which differs from country to country.
A childminder/maman du jour is a person who looks after your children in their own home.
Shared care is when the nanny works along side another adult, sharing the responsibility for looking after the child/children.
Sole Charge is when a nanny is alone with the children and is soley responsible for the care of the children when he/she is working.
A nanny share is when 2 or more families share a nanny to look after their children. the nanny can either have all the children at the same tome or work for each family at different times.
What Duties can I expect a nanny to perform?
The duties that the nanny will perform will vary and should be agreed before he/she starts work for you and written in your contract. A family must decide what the want the nannies duties to include.
Many nannies are are only happy to perform nursery duties (explained below) so adding more duties (e.g. cleaning) may limit the number of applicants for a position.
Nursery Duties includes:
- Protecting the children from harm and ensuring safety
- Providing childcare for the hours agreed
- Supporting the children's development
- preparing nutritious meals for the children
- Keeping the children's bedrooms and play areas clean and tidy
- Doing the children's laundry
- School runs
A nanny may also do evening babysitting, but this should be agreed before starting work and written in the contract, including number of nights per week and whether additional money will be paid for this time.
How do I find a nanny?
There are a few ways to find a nanny.
1. Through an advert placed in a newspaper or magazine, such as the lady Magazine.
2. Through a nanny agency.
3. Through internet sites where nannies have put their information.
4. Through recommendations from friends.
5. Through local notice boards.
How do I become a nanny?
To be a nanny you must either have a level 3 childcare qualification or above, and/or have a minimum or 2 years full time childcare experience.
To find out about childcare courses contact your local college who should be able to help you.
How do I find a nanny job?
There are a few ways to find a nanny job
1. Through an advert placed in a newspapers or magazine, such as the lady Magazine.
2. Through a nanny agency, a nanny can register with as many agencies as she likes.
3. Through internet sites where families are advertising the job. Eg.Nannyjob, Kiddieclub (switzerland), Gumtree.
4. Through word of mouth.
5. Through local notice boards.
What are the going rates for a nanny in my area (UK and Switzerland)?
The average going rate for 40-60 hours of working are:-
London
Live in - £300 -£450 per week (net)
Live Out - £350-£500 per week (net)
Part time - £8-£12 per hour (net)
North England
Live in - £200-£300 per week (net)
Live out - £250 - £400 per week (net)
Part time - £6.50 - £10 per week (net)
South England
Live in - £250 - £350 per week (net)
Live out - £300 - £450 per week (net)
Part time £7 - £12 per hour (net)
Switzerland
Live in - 650chf - 800chf per week (net)
Live out - 850chf - 1000chf per week (net)
Part time - 20chf -30chf per hour (net)
Do I need to organise a work permit/visa for my nanny?
United Kingdom
No, your nanny will either have a passport from a country of the European Union or already have a valid work permit.
Switzerland
Yes you will need to help your nanny apply for a work permit in Switzerland, unless she already has one.
Application forms can be obtained from your local commune or they can usually be downloaded from your cantonal website. The application form will then need to be completed and returned to your local commune with your passport, photographs and identification.
The following questions and more will be answered shortly. Feel free to email us with more questions.
Do I need to pay my nanny's tax and national insurance/social charges?
Can I pay anyone to help sort my nanny's taxes?
What other information do I need to know when employing a nanny?
Do I need a CRB certificate to work as a nanny?