Nannies

Nannies

Nannies are employed by parents to provide childcare in the family’s home. Unlike childminders, nannies do not need to be registered and inspected. There is no legal requirement for nannies to have specific childcare training or to have had a disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

There are many advantages of employing a nanny, including:

Your child can form a close,one-to-one relationship with their carer in your own home, your child has their own toys, books, food and so on, close at hand siblings can be looked after together, you have a high degree of control over your child’s routine, diet, activities and play environment etc.

Nannies can also offer more flexible hours than some other forms of childcare and may be able to offer evening babysitting, look after your child when you’re away, or go with you on holiday. You and your child don’t have to travel to the childcare setting and your child is cared for in their own enviroment easily taking part in local clubs and activities. They can also look after your children when they are not well.

How to find one

The best place to start is by asking people you know. Tell colleagues, friends and family that you are looking for a nanny. They may be able to recommend one. However, remember what’s right for your neighbour may not be right for you.

Another way would be to advertise here on guernseymums.gg in our classified section http://www.guernseymums.gg/wanted.htm or in the local paper. You may also want to contact the college of Further Education in Guernsey www.gcfe.net as one of their newly qualified childcare students may be interested in becoming a nanny when they qualify.

Questions you might like to ask

When you've got your shortlist of nannies, there are some questions you might want to ask:

Why did you decide to become a nanny?

What do you enjoy most about the job?

Tell me about the children you have looked after before.

What kinds of activities would you do with my children?

What kinds of meals and snacks do you enjoy preparing for the children?

What do you consider to be unacceptable behaviour and how do you deal with this?

What would you do in an emergency?

Where do you like to take the children out?

What do you enjoy most about looking after children?

Tell me about your biggest achievement as a nanny?

How do you communicate with the parents that you work with?

What do you feel are the most important qualities in a good nanny?

Make sure you check…

References from previous employers or tutors,

Identification, including some with a photograph on,
Their approval certificate, if they have one,
Their full, clean driving licence, if they have one,
First-aid certificate/s,
Any qualification certificates.

Make sure you discuss…

Your ideas and rules for behaviour management,
The hours and duties you expect the nanny to do.
How much you intend to pay them and how you will pay them.
Keeping your child safe.
Ground rules – this could include rules you expect the children to follow as well as rules that apply to the nanny whilst living in your house.
Use of the car.
Accommodation (if you’re employing a live-in nanny).

Costs

In comparison should you decide to look at the option of having a nanny there may be some additional issues and cost. Depending on how the nanny presents herself to you will depend on the terms of her/his engagement. You have to employ a nanny (they cannot be self-employed) which means you have to pay their tax. For example, if the take home wage is £10 per hour, you need to pay her tax and social security. You can contact the Commerce and Employment for helpful advice regarding up to date legislation for employing a Nanny. http://www.gov.gg/ccm/navigation/commerce---employment/employment-relations-service/

Mums working part-time (or perhaps full-time, and have one child) sometimes 'share' a nanny, which obviously makes it all more affordable. You can put up messages on the guernseymums chatroom forum to see whether there's anyone locally who would be interested in sharing.

Employee Relations Team 01481 234567

Please feel free to contribute to this article by contacting us. Or share any advice or experience on this subject. CLICK HERE to join the Guernsey Grapevine.

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