Contract Service
a personal service for you and your nanny
Each contract is specifically written and personalised for you. It meets all of the statutory minimum requirements and gives you the best possible start with your nanny.
By having a contract in place everyone knows where they stand with sick pay, holiday entitlement and notice periods, giving both parties a sense of security and ensuring you’re all on the same page.
Worried About Becoming an Employer?
We know that being an employer can seem scary and a bit overwhelming, and quite possibly something you’d rather not do if it wasn’t a legal requirement!
For many people it’s a whole new world of legislation, responsibilities and deadlines, but the team at Freckles know what we’re doing and are here to help you navigate it.
Whilst it might be scary and serious there are also huge benefits to having a contract. Just 3 of those are:
Your nanny can’t just up and leave; they have to give notice, giving you time to find a replacement.
They are committed to you and your family - signing a contract is a big deal for the employee too and it shows that they’re invested and want to make it work.
Everyone is clear on what the standard monthly pay is, the process (and pay) if the nanny is off sick and how much holiday the nanny is entitled to.
Employer Responsibilities
Anyone working regularly in a position is considered an employee and therefore must have a contract. If you don’t have a contract in place you run the risk of the nanny leaving without notice and / or getting hit with a tax bill. A bit of work up front can make all the difference in the long run. Having a contract in place will give both parties a sense of security.
We have successfully worked within the statutory framework for a number of years and our contracts are designed to support you with all current and potential employment responsibilities.
A few reasons why using Freckles is a very good idea.
It can be overwhelming becoming an employer; we can help with all the paperwork so that’s one less thing for you!
The contract will be tailored to you, written to outline the role and your expectations accurately, within the current legal framework.
Fast personal service: we ensure the contract is prepared, reviewed and ready in just a few days using a secure online signing service so that you can get it ticked off your list.
Whilst contracts ideally need to be signed in advance of the start day, we are able to provide a contract in just a few days that can be issued in retrospect of the nanny starting with you.
We are there for you every step of the way, whenever you have questions or need a bit of support.
If your situation changes and your contract needs to be adjusted then we can organise a contract amendment letter if required. There may be an additional charge for this.
Employing a Freckles Trained nanny?
Firstly, congratulations on securing yourself a wonderful nanny! We offer all employers of our Freckles trained nannies a 10% discount on contract fees. Please speak to your nanny to get your exclusive code, which can then be applied at checkout.
FAQs
some of our most commonly asked questions
+ We’re only hiring a nanny for 3 months, do we need a contract?
Yes - Regulations introduced in October 2002 gave all employees the same terms and conditions of employment, whether working on a fixed term contract or employed permanently.
+ What happens if HMRC makes changes to holiday, sick pay entitlements etc.?
From time to time the statutory minimum terms are altered and added to. In recent times HMRC have made significant changes at short notice. We are able to act quickly on this and advise you of any changes that need to be made with minimal fuss, providing contract amendment letters if required.
+ What are my responsibilities around a pension for my nanny?
All employers are required to enrol their nannies into a pension scheme, it is then up to the individual if they would like to continue to pay into this or if they would like to withdraw from the pension scheme.
+ Our nanny has already started work, is it too late to get a contract?
No. We can draw up a contract in just a few days for you that can be issued in retrospect of the nanny starting employment with you.
+ Our nanny is pregnant. Now what?
This is something that we can advise on should the need arise. Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) and other statutory employment rights are covered as a standard minimum in contracts. Currently there is financial support from the government for SMP payments. Your payroll provider / accountant will be able to help you with this.
+ How do we pay our nannies Tax and NI?
To pay your nannies Tax and NI contributions you must register as an employer with HMRC - this is something you can do yourself or you can use an external service provider / accountant to do this for you.
+ Who decides holiday dates?
Generally a family will choose half of the holiday and the nanny can then choose when they take the other half. This avoids long periods of time with no childcare. Holidays should always be arranged in advance for both parties. Your exact holiday agreement will be outlined in your contract.
+ Our nanny is leaving, how do we raise a P45?
If your nanny is moving on they will require a P45 and this is something that your payroll provider / accountant can provide you with.