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# Nanny Matters: Nanny Payroll Specialists

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://nannymatters.co.uk/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [Nanny Share Payroll: Who Pays What and How It Works](https://nannymatters.co.uk/nanny-share-payroll/): A nanny share is a brilliant arrangement. Two families share one nanny, the nanny earns more, and both sets of parents pay less than they would for sole care. But the moment you start talking about nanny share payroll, things can get confusing fast.
- [How to Register as a Nanny Employer with HMRC](https://nannymatters.co.uk/how-to-register-as-a-nanny-employer-with-hmrc/): Most parents don't realise that the moment they hire a nanny, they become an employer in the eyes of the law. That means you need to register as a nanny employer with HMRC before your nanny's first payday, and there are a few things to get in order before you can do that.
- [How Much Does a Part Time Nanny Cost in the UK?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/part-time-nanny-costs/): Part time nanny costs aren't just about an hourly rate. There's tax, National Insurance, pension contributions, and the odd extra you might not have thought about. This guide walks you through all of it in plain language so you can budget properly before you hire.
- [How Much Does an After School Nanny Cost?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/after-school-nanny-cost/): The school day finishes at 3pm. Your working day doesn't. That's the gap an after school nanny fills, picking the children up, getting them home safely, and looking after them until you're done for the day.
- [Nanny Insurance: What Parents and Nannies Need to Know](https://nannymatters.co.uk/nanny-insurance/): Nanny insurance isn't the most glamorous topic, but it's one of those things that really matters the moment something goes wrong. Whether you're a parent employing a nanny or a nanny working with families, having the right cover in place protects everyone involved.
- [Gifts for Your Nanny: Thoughtful Ideas They’ll Love](https://nannymatters.co.uk/gifts-for-your-nanny/): The good news is that gifts for your nanny don't need to be expensive or extravagant. What matters most is that the gift feels personal, useful, or genuinely thoughtful. Below you'll find ideas across different budgets, along with a few things to keep in mind so your gesture lands the way you hope it will.
- [Paying your nanny’s expenses and mileage](https://nannymatters.co.uk/paying-your-nannys-expenses-and-mileage/): Routine expenses
- [Not enough annual leave to cover nanny’s holidays?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/not-enough-annual-leave-to-cover-nannys-holidays/): This is a very common problem with nannies and can cause friction.  So why does the issue arise?
- [Nannies and holidays](https://nannymatters.co.uk/nannies-and-holidays/): When you employ a nanny, whether full-time or part-time, temporary or permanent, the nanny is entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave per year. That’s the statutory minimum; some employers will give more.
- [The Tax-free Childcare Scheme](https://nannymatters.co.uk/the-tax-free-childcare-scheme/): Tax relief is normally available on childcare costs via the tax-free childcare scheme. Childcare costs might include nursery fees, an after-school club, or a childminder. Payments to a nanny also qualify, provided the nanny is OFSTED registered (in England) or otherwise ‘approved’ (Scotland, Wales or N Ireland).
- [How To Pay HMRC](https://nannymatters.co.uk/how-to-pay-hmrc/): There are various payment methods and we recommend:
- [Can a Nannyshare work for you?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/can-a-nannyshare-work-for-you/): Should we set up as one employer or two?
- [Sick Leave & Statutory Sick Pay](https://nannymatters.co.uk/sick-leave-statutory-sick-pay/): When your employee is sick, the first thing to check is the contract of employment. In most cases, this will state that the employer will only pay Statutory Sick Pay. In some cases, the contract may promise full or half pay up to a maximum number of days off.
- [Why can’t my nanny be self-employed?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/why-cant-my-nanny-be-self-employed/): Under UK law, you become an employer when you take on a nanny and that brings with it certain responsibilities, one of which is to maintain payroll records for your nanny’s pay. In practice, this means submitting figures to HMRC every pay day and making deductions from pay.
- [What happens when my nanny becomes pregnant?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/what-happens-when-my-nanny-becomes-pregnant/): All pregnant employees qualify for 52 weeks Maternity Leave. Most employees qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay while they are off, which the employer must pay. HMRC do meet the full cost of the SMP payments which can run for up to 39 weeks. Should the employee decide to stay off for the full 52 weeks of maternity leave, the last 13 of these will be unpaid.
- [What is a ‘Registered’ or ‘Approved’ nanny?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/what-is-a-registered-or-approved-nanny/): What is a ‘Registered’ or ‘Approved’ nanny?
- [Nanny Salary Rates in 2026: A Guide for Parents](https://nannymatters.co.uk/paying-the-national-minimum-wage-living-wage/): As an employer, you are legally obliged to pay a nanny aged 16 to 20 not less than the National Minimum Wage. At age 21, the higher National Living Wage applies. The gross hourly rates for this year (2026/2027) are:
- [Your nanny’s employment contract](https://nannymatters.co.uk/your-nannys-employment-contract/): Employment law states you must provide written terms of employment to your new nanny from their first day with you.  This can be by email or letter to begin with, covering the main terms of employment such as pay and working hours but you are best placed to complete a full contract as soon as possible to protect both yourself and your nanny's rights. 
- [Gross pay versus net pay: Why you should agree a Gross pay rate?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/why-you-should-agree-a-gross-pay-rate-instead-of-net/): In London and the Southeast in particular, some parents and nannies make the mistake of negotiating net rates, rather than gross. There is a big difference; Gross Pay is the amount before deductions, and Net Pay is the amount the nanny receives. Net pay rates have always been unfair on nannies, but with the introduction of pensions, maintaining a Net rate is no longer workable for employee and employer alike.  Everyone likes to know their take-home pay, but only nannies negotiate Net, and they lose out because of it.
- [Three Year Pension Re-Enrolment](https://nannymatters.co.uk/three-year-pension-re-enrolment/): Every three years, under the pension regulations, PAYE schemes have to be re-assessed to ensure they are compliant. Any employee who has opted out (unless they have done so within the last twelve months) will be automatically re-enrolled. Pension contributions will show on the payslip.
- [Mental Health and Wellbeing](https://nannymatters.co.uk/mental-health-and-wellbeing/): As an employer you have a duty of care to your employee and it is important you take their mental wellbeing seriously. By doing this you can benefit by maintaining the best care of your children and potentially avoid excess time taken off for illness.
- [Choosing a Nanny Payroll Company](https://nannymatters.co.uk/choosing-a-nanny-payroll-service/): All good nanny payroll companies will provide you with payslips and tell you how much to pay HMRC, but some hit you with additional charges further down the line. Make sure you know what you are paying for before you sign up.
- [How to calculate your nanny’s monthly pay](https://nannymatters.co.uk/how-to-calculate-your-nannys-monthly-pay/): Finding the right payment method for your new nanny is not as complicated as it sounds and there is a solution for all employment types, whether you have a full time, part time, zero hours or term-time only nanny.
- [How much does it cost to hire a nanny?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/how-much-does-it-cost-to-hire-a-nanny/): A nanny can be a very cost effective and convenient solution when you are looking at childcare costs, especially if you have two or more children.  There are several things to take into consideration when it comes to working out your budget, in addition to the gross salary you will be agreeing with your new employee.  The first important factor is to agree a gross pay rate, NOT net and this way you can ensure that your monthly or weekly outgoings can be fixed.   If your prospective employee is asking for a net amount, NannyMatters can advise you how to convert that into a gross figure. 
- [Hiring a foreign national and the EU Settlement Scheme](https://nannymatters.co.uk/hiring-a-foreign-national-and-the-eu-settlement-scheme/): Right to workEveryone needs to go through a right to work check to establish whether their employee is allowed to work in the UK. There are heavy penalties of up to £20,000 per illegal employee if you get this wrong. For UK nationals (and Irish nationals too), it is relatively straightforward to check the right to work. You still need to do a robust inspection of an original official document like a passport (scrutinising whether photos and dates of birth tally etc.), taking a good quality copy and keeping records, but that is sufficient.However, for all foreign nationals (other than the Irish) a combination of some or all of the following schemes come into play to determine their immigration status:
- [Do I need a DBS check for my nanny?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/do-i-need-a-dbs-check-for-my-nanny/): Surprisingly the nanny industry is currently unregulated. All other formal childcare providers are required to obtain an enhanced DBS certificate (Disclosure and Barring Service) for their employees and it makes sense to do the same with your new nanny. 
- [Holidays are coming . . .](https://nannymatters.co.uk/holidays-are-coming/): Summer holidays are just around the corner and it’s a good time to check where you are at with your nanny and their holiday allowance. If you have a nanny working term-time only then their holiday pay may be included in their salary or it may be that you pay their accrued holiday pay at regular points through the year, normally December, April and August so make a note in your calendar on those months to check it has been included on the payslip. If your nanny receives the normal statutory minimum holiday each year then this should be stated in the contract. It’s good to keep the conversation open about how the holiday calculations work so your nanny doesn’t suddenly find they have used all their allowance and have nothing left for Christmas!
- [Should you give your nanny a holiday bonus?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/should-you-give-your-nanny-a-holiday-bonus/): Have you thought about giving your nanny a one-off bonus to say thank you for all their hard work this year as we approach the summer holidays, or help with the increased cost of living?  A bonus can also be given instead of a pay increase which allows you to better control of how much extra you give each year.  Your nanny plays such an important role in supporting your family and allows you to maintain a stable and happy unit so let them know they are appreciated, however you choose to show it.  Remember that any bonus must be included in their payslip as it will be subject to tax and national insurance so let your payroll agency know.  It is also worth checking what your contract states in terms of an annual review or bonus, especially if you used a template from an agency and didn’t note what that paragraph stated at the time. 
- [Pensions Focus](https://nannymatters.co.uk/pensions-focus/): Have you just employed a nanny for the first time? It can be pretty overwhelming to see all the paperwork that comes with taking on a new employee and this includes the pension ‘auto-enrolment’ scheme, which you are required to provide by law. We have answered below a few common questions that come up with new nanny employers:
- [Myth busting Net Pay for Nannies](https://nannymatters.co.uk/myth-busting-net-pay-for-nannies/): Everyone likes to know their take home pay, but it seems that only this sector negotiates net, and nannies lose out because of it. Having a gross pay rate doesn’t mean that you will be paid ‘cash in hand’ or ‘self-employed’. Legally, your employer must always treat you as an employee. You continue to receive a payslip, and your employer still pays tax and National Insurance to HMRC on your behalf, and pension contributions too. The only difference is that your pay is calculated as ‘gross pay less deductions’ instead of ‘net pay plus deductions’.
- [Cutting the costs of childcare](https://nannymatters.co.uk/cutting-the-costs-of-childcare/): Whether you are looking at the costs of childcare for the first time or preparing for back to school, the cost of living is a concern for all parents and there are a few ways you can help to cut costs when it comes to hiring a nanny.
- [Making the Most of NannyMatters](https://nannymatters.co.uk/making-the-most-of-nannymatters/): There are many agencies offering payroll services for small employers who also specialise in nanny employers, but NannyMatters clients will often tell you they get an extra special service from our small team of specialists.
- [Employment Law (what every employer should know](https://nannymatters.co.uk/employment-law-what-every-employer-should-know/): This is a summary of just some of your responsibilities as an employer. You should seek further information assoon as you are faced with any of the situations described, or in any of the many other circumstances where employment legislation has a bearing.  When you register with NannyMatters you will have access to specialist HR and employment law advice.
- [Summertime Nanny Matters](https://nannymatters.co.uk/summertime-nanny-matters/): Before the summer holidays even begin, some parents will be looking ahead to childcare for their return to school in September!  The NannyMatters team are ready to help with advice on every aspect of nanny employment. Here’s a quick holiday checklist you mustn’t overlook. 
- [Why Recent National Insurance Changes Are Catching Nanny Employers Off Guard; What You Need to Know](https://nannymatters.co.uk/why-recent-national-insurance-changes-are-catching-nanny-employers-off-guard-what-you-need-to-know/): When you employ a nanny, navigating payroll rules probably wasn’t something you ever imagined you'd have to master. But recent changes to National Insurance (NI) contributions have caused confusion for many families employing childcare professionals—and this confusion could be costing you money without you even realising it.
- [Back to School 2025 – Can we help?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/back-to-school-2025-can-we-help/): We are a payroll provider that specialises in paying Nannies and other domestic staff. Paying Nannies can be difficult so why not let us take that stress away from you.

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## FAQs
- [What is household payroll?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/what-is-household-payroll/): Household payroll is simply the process of paying someone who works in your home. If you employ a nanny, babysitter, au pair, housekeeper, or any other person who works for you at home, you become their employer - which means you have legal responsibilities around paying them correctly, deducting the right tax and National Insurance, and keeping proper records.
- [Do you do payroll for a babysitter?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/do-you-do-payroll-for-a-babysitter/): Yes! We handle payroll for all types of household childcare workers, not just nannies. Whether you employ a babysitter, nanny, au pair, or any other household worker, we can take care of everything for you. So if you have someone coming to your home to look after your children in any capacity, we can make sure they're paid correctly and you're compliant as an employer.
- [Any other considerations?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/any-other-considerations/): Think carefully and plan in advance for everyone's holidays. Think too about what will happen when the nanny is sick. Will a parent stand in and look after all the children? And when the children are sick, are all parties happy for the nanny to cancel the day's activities and share the germs like one big family?
- [What rate should I pay?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/what-rate-should-i-pay/): Generally, a nanny will expect a higher pay rate if she is looking after two families at the same time. Note the distinction: it's not the number of children that necessarily makes the difference, it's managing the needs of two different families.
- [One employer or two?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/one-employer-or-two/): Nannyshares can be particularly confusing, and there is a lot of conflicting advice about the best way to deal with nannyshare payroll. That's because it varies from situation to situation.
- [Will a nannyshare give me significant savings?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/will-a-nannyshare-give-me-significant-savings/): Nannysharing is a great way to access all the benefits of your own nanny, at a significantly reduced cost. However, it must be set up properly, with each family aware of their responsibilities. DO NOT enter into a share with your eyes closed!
- [Is paying the actual hours worked any easier?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/is-paying-the-actual-hours-worked-any-easier/): This method requires a bit of counting and keeping track, but we have ways of simplifying that. The main benefits are complete flexibility and transparency. However, if there are significant peaks and troughs, both employer and nanny may pay more in National Insurance.
- [How do you spread the pay evenly?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/how-do-you-spread-the-pay-evenly/): We do this by paying 1/12 of the nanny's annual salary each month, regardless of when the school holidays fall. We work out the annual salary by looking at the hours worked in term-time and in school holidays and adjusting for paid annual leave. The arrangement is popular because it helps both parents and nannies to budget. We can easily adjust for extra hours as and when they are worked.
- [How do you work out different hours in and out of term times?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/how-do-you-work-out-different-hours-in-and-out-of-term-times/): This is another subject that causes concern, but many nannies work variable hours and we easily manage the pay.
- [How should you handle maternity leave?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/how-should-you-handle-maternity-leave/): Maternity is often a source of concern to parents, because they know from experience the impact a pregnancy can have. However, in practice it is much easier to deal with than sick leave, because you know when the baby is coming and can plan accordingly.
- [The nanny is off sick, what do you do?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/the-nanny-is-off-sick-what-do-you-do/): If your nanny is sick, you don't have to pay her anything at all until her 4th consecutive day off. That's when SSP (Statutory Sick Pay) kicks in, at the rate of £118.75 per week. To be clear, the first 3 days are generally unpaid.
- [Can a parent refuse a particular holiday request?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/can-a-parent-refuse-a-particular-holiday-request/): Yes, provided they allow the nanny to take the holidays at another time, before the end of the holiday year. If the nanny requests holiday at a time that is simply too inconvenient, then the parent can deny the request. That's why it is so important to get the holiday authorised before making a booking.
- [What if there is not enough holiday time?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/what-if-there-is-not-enough-holiday-time/): It's a common problem. Often parents want to take more than their share of the annual holiday entitlement, for trips abroad or grandparents visiting. Ideally, this will be spotted at the outset, in which case we can easily build it in to the employment contract. If not, it may still be possible to reach an agreement with the nanny beforehand so that some of the hours are made up at a later date, or taken as unpaid leave. Failing that, the parent may have to pay the nanny in full.
- [Who chooses when those holidays are taken?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/who-chooses-when-those-holidays-are-taken/): Parents can choose all the holidays if they want, but their nanny might not be too pleased. The norm is for the nanny to choose 2 weeks, the parents to choose 2 weeks (and the rest are taken on the bank holidays).
- [How much paid holiday should you provide?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/how-much-paid-holiday-should-you-provide/): All employees are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday each year, including bank holidays. It’s easier to think of that in days:
- [Should parents swap from Childcare Vouchers to Tax-free Childcare?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/should-parents-swap-from-childcare-vouchers-to-tax-free-childcare/): Generally, more tax relief is available via Tax-free Childcare, but the scheme is not available to everyone. For example, both parents must work to qualify, and neither parent can earn more than £100,000 pa. Tax-free Childcare is awarded per child, whereas the old voucher schemes don't take the number of children into account. A swap may well be worthwhile, but parents should check before switching from Childcare Vouchers to Tax-free Childcare, since the decision can't be reversed. Childcare Voucher schemes closed to new entrants in April 2018, so there's no going back once you leave.
- [Is it worth it as an employer?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/is-it-worth-it-as-an-employer/): Generally, yes. In the vast majority of cases the tax savings for parents are substantial and do outweigh the registration costs.
- [Can the employer pay the fee?Can the employer pay the fee?Can the employer pay the fee?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/can-the-employer-pay-the-feecan-the-employer-pay-the-feecan-the-employer-pay-the-fee/): Many parents choose to pay for the registration and/or renewal themselves, together with some or all of the associated costs.
- [Is it worth it for the nanny?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/is-it-worth-it-for-the-nanny/): The nanny benefits from increased professionalism and employability, but she doesn’t benefit financially by accepting tax-free childcare payments. She just gets paid part of her net pay from a tax-free childcare account.
- [‘Approved’ or ‘registered’ nannies](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/approved-or-registered-nannies/): Approved' means different things in different parts of the UK. In Scotland, nannies are registered via a nanny agency. This applies even if the nanny was not recruited through an agency; she still has to be associated with an agency in order to receive payment from a Tax-free Childcare or Childcare Voucher account. The agency will charge a fee for the service.
- [What are Tax-free Childcare and Childcare Vouchers?What are Tax-free Childcare and Childcare Vouchers?](https://nannymatters.co.uk/faq/what-are-tax-free-childcare-and-childcare-voucherswhat-are-tax-free-childcare-and-childcare-vouchers/): Tax-free Childcare allows parents to pre-purchase childcare by paying money into an internet account, which the government then tops up with £2 for every £8 spent.  Parents can use the money to pay for childcare such as nurseries, after school clubs, childminders and 'approved' nannies. It is also possible to pay HMRC through the account. The old employer-provided Childcare Voucher scheme pre-dated Tax-free Childcare and closed to new entrants in April 2018.

## Solutions
- [Live In Nanny Payroll](https://nannymatters.co.uk/solution/live-in-nanny-payroll/)
- [For Baby Sitters](https://nannymatters.co.uk/solution/baby-sitters/)
- [For Carers](https://nannymatters.co.uk/solution/for-carers/)
- [Pensions](https://nannymatters.co.uk/solution/pensions/)
- [For nannies](https://nannymatters.co.uk/solution/for-nannies/)
- [For Parents](https://nannymatters.co.uk/solution/for-parents/)

## Categories
- [Industry News & Updates](https://nannymatters.co.uk/category/industry-new-and-updates/)