It is natural to have questions especially if you are a first time parent or hiring
an employee for the first time. Here, we hope to answer a few of the most common
questions, however we encourage you to contact us directly on 0207 125 0080 should
you have any queries.
Q: What is a Nanny? Define the role of a Nanny?
Answer: Nannies are professional child carers with relevant childcare experience
(min 2 years) and/or qualifications who look after your children in your home. They
can be either be live in or live out and work in sole charge (both parents at work)
or shared charge (1 or both parents at home) which means work alongside the mother
or parents. Nannies offer a complete care package termed as "Nursery Duties" as
they also clean up after the children and cook for the children. Nannies are entitled
to 4 weeks paid holiday/year. It is the employer’s obligation to pay Nanny’s tax,
national insurance and employers contributions. Live in nannies earn between £250-400/week
depending on age/experience /qualifications. Live out nannies earn between £8-10/hour
net.
Q: What is a Mother's Help? Define the role of a Mother's Help?
Answer: If you need a combination of childcare and housework and are at home/working
from home parent, mothers help might be the right choice for you. A Mother's Helper
essentially helps out a stay at home parent or a family needing extra help. Mother’s
help can be either live in or live out and normally work for up to 10/h/day plus
babysitting 1-2 evenings/week. The difference between a mother's help and a nanny
is that a mother's help does not yet have enough experience to be left in constant
sole charge of children. They normally work alongside the mother, caring for the
children. A mother's help is not a cleaner, and so is not expected to do household
duties, but she may do light duties such as the family shopping, or loading and
unloading the family washing. These duties should be discussed and agreed in advance
with the child carer. They earn around £200-350/week net depending on experience/hours.
Q: What is a Housekeeper? Define the role of a Housekeeper?
Answer: Housekeeper takes care of the household tasks example cleaning, laundry,
cooking, shopping, helping with dinner parties etc. Salary: live in housekeeper
£350-400/week net. Live out £400 +/week net. Part time £10-12/hour net.
Q: What is a Nanny-housekeeper? Define the role of a Nanny-housekeeper?
Answer: Nanny-housekeeper is a compromise between a nanny and housekeeper, suitable
for family with school age children who need somebody to take care of the household,
laundry, cooking, running errands etc. She also does the school run and babysitting.
Salary: live in £350-400/week net. Live out: £400 +/week net.
Q: What is a Temporary nanny? Define the role of a Temporary nanny?
Answer: Temp Nannies are experienced and/or qualified nannies contracted to work
for a temp. period of time 1day-few months during holidays or when your nanny is
off/sick. Salary £8-10/hour net.
Q: What is an Au pair? Define the role of an Au pair?
Answer: An au pair will typically be a young woman and sometimes a young man between
18-30 years old who comes from a foreign country to study english and stays with
the host family who provide accommodation and full board in return for the help
with looking after their children and provide light housekeeping. The au pair is
given room and board and is typically paid a weekly "pocket-money". Au pairs generally
stay with their host family for one year. Au pairs are legally allowed to work 25-35
hours/week +babysit 2 evenings/week. Pocket money is usually between £65-100/week.
They are not qualified child carers and often have a very little experience in childcare.
They should not be left in sole charge of babies/small children. They are treated
as family members and need to have an opportunity to attend language classes if
they wish to. They’re entitled to 1 week of paid holiday for every 6 months worked
and need to get at least 2 days off/weekday. Au pair needs to be paid extra for
any additional hours she’s agreed to work. If you decide au pair would suit your
family requirements we’ll send detailed information on how to ensure things go smoothly
from the day your au pair arrives.
Q: What is a Maternity Nurse? Define the role of a Maternity nurse?
Answer: Maternity nurses are Qualified and or highly experienced childcare professional
who offer a smooth transition into parenthood. Their wealth of experience is invaluable
to new parents that wish to learn all aspects of caring for their new baby, including
development, feeding and settling. Maternity nurses are not there to take over your
baby, but to guide, encourage and advise. This builds confidence and promotes the
bonding process in those precious, but daunting, first few weeks. They’re available
24h/day, 5-6 days/week or part time/night only basis. Salary: £700-900/week gross
(they are normally self employed).
Q: What is a Night nanny? Define the role of a Night Nanny?
Answer: Nannies with newborn experience will arrive in the evening and stay until
following morning, usually from 9pm-8am and care for the baby at night. Her duties
involve night feeds, sterilizing bottles, settling the baby, changing nappies, dressing
the baby. She’ll help with sleep training and offers advice on breast feeding etc.
Salary £90/night +
Q: What is a Babysitter? Define the role of a babysitter?
Answer: There is no legal definition of babysitting but it normally covers the temporary
care of a child or children, typically in an evening when the parents have a social
engagement. We only accept applicants who are over 20 years old. All our babysitters
are experienced and/or qualified nannies who have been carefully screened and interviewed
in person. They provide an evening childcare-putting child to bed. The min.booking
is for 4 hours. Rates- Monday – Friday £7/hour, Sat-Sun £8/hour and rates are doubled
for Bank/Public Holidays.
Q: What is the legal age of a babysitter?
Answer: The NSPCC recommends that babysitters should be older than 16 years of age.
A babysitter below the age of 16 cannot be charged with neglect or ill treatment
of children in their care. We only accept applicants who are over 20 years old.
Q: Will my nanny do housework?
Answer: Although we expect all our nannies to do some light house work but the answer
to this question is in fact variable and totally depends on the families needs,
typically there are two main categories:
Nursery duty nanny: which includes all duties pertaining to the children, children's
laundry, children's meals, keeping the children's areas, the kitchen and common
areas tidy and organized
Nanny/Housekeeper: All of the above with additional housekeeping duties, which may
vary depending on the families requirements.
Q: Why do I pay Babysitting Club registration fee and Babysitting Club booking fee?
Answer: Your registration fee covers the fixed cost of attracting, interviewing
and reference checking of sufficient child carers to provide you a reliable service.
It also covers the admin fee which is required to put your detail on our database
so you can use our service as and when you need it by paying a small booking fee
each time you require a babysitter. Your booking fees cover the variable cost of
scheduling a babysitter for you when required.
Q: Why shall I choose Buttercup Nannies Limited?
Answer: Credibility of the agency is very important for parents. It is hard for
a parent to determine who is reputable and whom to call.We believe nothing can speak
to a nanny agency’s reputation like a personal recommendation from a fellow parent
or industry professional and that is why nearly a third of our client families are
from word-of-mouth and repeat clients. We are based on the concept that excellent
child care can only be provided in an environment where nanny and family are well
matched and where each is respected and valued by the other and understand the need
of each other. At Buttercup Nannies we pride ourselves in providing professional
candidates that are experienced competent and passionate about what they do. We
offer an extensive screening process that delivers candidates who are not merely
acceptable, but are truly exceptional. We are confident in our ability to provide
you with exactly what you are looking for, without wasting your time. In fact we
have the goal of exceeding our clients expectations by placing the very best.
Q: What are the benefits of Registering with Buttercup Nannies Ltd?
Answer: Some of the benefits are as follows:
- Regular clients can enjoy reduced rates.
- Our consultants understand that every client's situation is unique and we will work
closely with you to meet your specific requirements.
- You will receive ongoing support during and after the hiring process. We’re here
to alleviate your concerns and make the process easy and reassuring.
- We will send you an orientation package including thorough information regarding
employers obligations and anything else you may need to know regarding becoming
an employer. We will follow up within a week of placing the Nanny to see how things
are going, and as mentioned we are always available to answer any questions you
may have.
- We always aim to match the right nanny with the right family first time, saving
you time and money, however there is also a 8 weeks nanny replacement guarantee
for confidence and reliable peace of mind .For more information about replacement
and refunds read our terms and conditions.
Q: What are the benefits of registering with the our Babysitting Club?
Answer: Buttercup Babysitting Club is the safe, simple and affordable way to find
care near you. As a member you will get full access for a year to book any registered
Babysitter on our database. We have a database of more than 600 babysitters at the
moment and we are continuously registering more qualified and/or experienced babysitters
throughout the United Kingdom. Also families that use Buttercup Nannies Ltd Babysitting
Club on a regular basis can enjoy reduced rates. See special
offers section for more information.
Q: How much do I pay to the Buttercup nanny agency's Babysitting Club?
Answer: We have tailor made options for families according to their individual needs.
You pay a small registration fee of minimum £39.99/year to become our Babysitting
Club member. It comes to less then £4 a month which is a very small price to have
access to qualified, experienced and professional child carers whenever required
and to have a peace of mind that your children are in capable hands. You also pay
an additional £4.99 booking fee each time we book a babysitter for you or become
gold club member for just £119.99/year. This entitles you to use our babysitting
service as frequently as you want and waves the £4.99 booking fee. You could also
pay a one off fee of £99 to get a permanent babysitter.
Q: How does your Babysitting Club service work?
Answer: Once you fill up our registration form we then ring/email you with the confirmation
and put your detail on our database. We then contact professional child minders
who have passed our screening process and are local to your address. We find and
introduce three babysitters to each family who register with us. We always try to
book a babysitter you have met before and will always try your preferred babysitter
first. Also we will try our best to meet your last minute needs - even if we're
given as little as twelve hours notice. However we recommend you to give us at least
3 days notice. The more notice you give us the better your chance of booking your
preferred babysitter. As a general guideline, call by Wednesday to request a sitter
for the upcoming weekend.
Q: Who are the Babysitters Buttercup Nannies Babysitting Club employ?
Answer:We only recruit child carers who are qualified and/or experienced. Most of
our child carers have worked as Ofsted registered childminders, qualified nannies
or nursery nurses primary school teachers, paediatric nurses, maternity nurses and
some are also psychology and childcare students. While we greatly value qualifications
we also know that experience is very valuable too. A good nanny must love children
and she needs to express good qualities such as honesty, reliability, conscientiousness,
intelligence, capability and security. Whatever her qualifications or experience
we are particularly interested in a nanny's character. We ensure that our babysitters
possess the ability to respond to a crisis situation, communicate effectively with
parents, and have first aid skills.
Q: Who are the Child carers Buttercup Nannies Ltd Employ?
Answer: We only recruit both experienced and qualified candidates. We interview
candidates who preferably have Ofsted registration, qualification a valid CRB, a
valid First Aid Certificate and a minimum of two years of full-time childcare experience.
We inspect original copies of all qualifications and certificates and run adequate
checks with previous employers and institutes.
Q: What is the screening process of your child carers? How do you check candidates
background, qualification and references?
Answer: The first step in the screening process is to review applications and CV's.
If applicants meet our requirements we ask them to submit copies of their CRB check,
First Aid certificate and any other qualifications or certification they may have
to support their application. We then verify the documents. The candidate is then
booked for an interview with our recruitment consultants. They fill up an application
form and sign it at our premises and bring the original documents with them for
verification. We proceed with a through screening process by interviewing the candidate
in person. We ask potential nannies a series of questions to help us understand
their past experience with children, how they deal with safety issues, their flexibility
and dedication to the families they work for. If the candidate passes this stage
they then go through a carefully designed in depth assessment including a professional
and personal profile. We inspect original copies of all qualifications and certificates,
their ID, driving license, visa, qualifications/training ,CRB ,First Aid certificate,
Ofsted registration, nanny insurance and run adequate checks with previous employers
and institutes. We check references verbally as well as in writing. We check references
world-wide regardless of where the candidate come from. References are checked in
depth and at length. We do not register candidates without a valid CRB and First
Aid certificate unless they are willing to apply for one. If the candidates are
in the process of obtaining them we will inform you before you agree to interview
them. If you request a candidate with certain skills/documents (such as first aid
training, driving licence, childcare diploma, etc.) but she is in the process of
obtaining these we will inform you before you agree to interview them.
Q: Where do your nannies come from?
Answer: Buttercup nannies Ltd place nannies from various countries including The
UK, The United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Philippines, Europe and the
Islands.
Q: Do you still provide support after the placement is made?
Answer: Yes. We will be happy to answer any questions to mediate problems between
both parties. All questions or concerns can be answered with a simple phone call
or an email enquiry.
Q: I would like our nanny to start in six months. How far in advance should I register
with Buttercup Nannies Ltd?
Answer: We suggest registering approximately 3-6 weeks prior to the projected start
date for your nanny. If you have a situation that requires an immediate placement,
we will, however, be available to accommodate you without delay.
Q: Can communication be a barrier incase of employing an au pair or an overseas
placement?
Answer: During the initial interview, the candidates are asked to complete our on
line application form, which is helpful in assessing their English comprehension
and writing skills. Verbal and comprehension skills are assessed during our personal
interview with the applicant. Communication is not limited to language. Cultural
differences must be considered. Tolerance and understanding of these differences
are keys to the successful hire of a candidate from abroad.
Q: What salary do I offer my aupair?
Answer: Usually the money paid to au pairs is called pocket money and this is because
an aupair is part of the family on a cultural exchange program and not an employee.
All other candidates are employees and therefore subject to taxation. See our salary guide for more information
Q: Do your au pairs qualify for the childcare voucher scheme?
Answer: The childcare care voucher scheme allows you to pay for childcare from your
pre-tax salary, this means that the basic rate taxpayer can save around £75 per
month and more for higher rate taxpayers. If both parents are working then both
are eligible and the savings are double.
Your employer has to run the scheme and currently most big employers do, if not
then get your employer to do so as they can also save up to 12.8% of the value of
the vouchers issued ( employers NI ).
The vouchers cover childcare up to the age of fifteen, and they can be used by an
au pair, mother’s help or nanny that is registered with:
- Ofsted (England) • Childcare Register (England)
- Local Health and Social Services Trusts (Northern Ireland)
- The Care Commission (Scotland)
- Childcare Appoval Scheme (Wales)
- For more information please go to hmrc.gov.uk/childcare
- For Au pair, mother’s help or nanny to be approved for the scheme by the above bodies
she/he would typically need some childcare experience and to have pediatric first
aid
Q: What is a CRB Check?
Answer: A CRB Check stands for Criminal Records Bureau. This is a police check all
childcares need to have in order to work with children. All candidates either have
one or are asked to complete a form in order to apply for one.
Q: What are employer’s legal obligations?
Answer: If your nanny earns more than £100/week you have a responsibility to:
- Pay employee’s National Insurance contributions and income tax
- Keep payroll record and provide pay slips
- Pay statutory sick pay and maternity pay (can be claimed back)
- Provide a written employment agreement within 8 weeks from the nanny’s start date
Q: Who can help with the payroll?
Answer: We recommend www.nannytax.co.uk
Q: Are all child carers First Aid trained?
Answer: We only accept applicants who either hold an up to date First Aid certificate
or are willing to attend a relevant course asap.
Q: Q: What is your minimum criteria of selection?
Answer: We only recruit nannies who fulfill following requirements:
Compulsory
- Minimum 20 years of age
- Valid working visa
- Minimum 2 years childcare experience and/or childcare qualifications
- Up to date First Aid certificate (less than 3years old) or willing to attend a course
asap
- Valid CRB check (less than 3years old) or willing to apply for one
- Ability to provide a safe, loving and stimulating environment for children
Optional:
- Have a driving license
- Have nanny insurance
- Are Ofsted registered
- Speak other languages then English
- Manifest any other relevant special skills/talent
Q: What happens in the event of an unsuccessful match after the guarantee period?
Answer: We recommend that the employer inform the employee of any problems as they
arise. It is the employer's job as the manager to offer constructive criticism to
the employee.
Candidate: If an employee feels that the position is deviating from the employment agreement,
the employee should talk to the employer about reviewing the agreement. Both parties
must give each other appropriate notice incase of termination of employment.