Signature Staff

FAQs

What qualifications does a nanny need?
Open What qualifications does a nanny need?

There are many educational qualifications available to nannies in the UK:

UK

  • CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education
  • CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Practice
  • NVQ Level 3 Certificate in Work with Children APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning)
  • NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
  • Edexcel Level 3 BTEC National Certificate
  • SVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education (Scotland)
  • LCCIEB NVQ Level 3 in Early Years Care and Education
  • Advanced Modern Apprenticeship in Early Years Care and Education
  • The Chiltern College Certificate
  • The Norland Diploma
  • The Princess Christian College

Outside of UK

Each country will have their own courses; in Australia this could be a TAFE Diploma in Community services whereas in New Zealand there is a government based initiative which aims to teach parents and child carers alike the best way to look after young children. A few nannies will have gone through the PORSE system and completed their qualifications.

Should my nanny join me on our family vacation?
Open Should my nanny join me on our family vacation?

Your nanny may be required to travel within the UK and overseas with you. Prior notice and agreement needs to be given. If your nanny accompanies you on family holidays this will not be deducted from their holiday entitlement.

What holiday allowance are nannies entitled to?
Open What holiday allowance are nannies entitled to?

By law, an employer is required to give any employee the statutory minimum of 28 days holiday (including 8 days of bank holiday) per annum in the UK.

Holiday as a nanny, may be taken only at times convenient to the employer as previously arranged by notice.

Typically the employer will choose two weeks during which the employee is required to take leave, whilst the employee may choose when the remaining two weeks are to be taken, with prior agreement from the employer. All holiday arrangements should be discussed and agreed with your employer.

What is the difference between a live-in nanny and live-out nanny?
Open What is the difference between a live-in nanny and live-out nanny?

Both live-in and live-out nannies would have similar respective experiences and qualifications.

A live-in nanny would either live with the family in their home or she would have separate accommodation provided for her which would include food and all household bills being paid.

A live-out nanny would arrive for work early in the morning and leave in the evening at the agreed time stated on her contract of employment and would provide her own accommodation at no cost to the family.

What is the difference between a nanny and an au-pair?
Open What is the difference between a nanny and an au-pair?
  • The most underlying difference is that a nanny is a trained professional, whereas an au pair is an untrained ‘volunteer’ with no official childcare qualifications.
  • For nannies, their job is a chosen profession in which they can practise their learned skills and gain valuable experience with each role to further their career. As such a nanny is employed by a family and earns a salary for her services.
  • Au Pairs are specifically aged between 17 and 27 (averaging 20 years old) who come to the UK to experience a new culture. Their primary goal is to learn English and in exchange for full board and a little bit of weekly pocket money (c.£100 per week). They help around the house and with babysitting whilst attending language classes.
What are the best nanny interview questions?
Open What are the best nanny interview questions?
  • What is your current position and why do you want to leave?
  • Please outline your childcare qualifications?
  • Have you ever had a period without a job? If so, why?
  • How do you like to balance work and life?
  • How would you make meal time/ bath time/ homework time more enjoyable for a child who doesn’t like it?
  • Why did you choose to get into childcare?
  • What do you think makes you a fantastic nanny?
  • Our children are X and X, how would you entertain them?
  • Have you ever looked after a fussy eater? How did you work with them to encourage them to try new things?
  • Do you have experience with weaning, potty training, table-manners, reading and writing?
  • Have you cooked evening meals regularly in your past jobs or at home? Did you enjoy this aspect of the role?
  • If I needed you to cook a certain meal, would you need to follow a recipe/ instructions?
  • Are you comfortable managing difficult situations with children?
  • Our expectation is that within your role you would complete certain duties. Are there any duties outlined in the job description that you aren’t happy to undertake?
  • Sometimes there could be additional babysitting required. Are you happy to babysit?
What qualities make a good nanny?
Open What qualities make a good nanny?
  • Ability to engage children
  • Discipline and patience with children
  • Organisational skills
  • Flexiblity
  • Easy to live alongside (if live-in nanny)
  • Ability to cope in an emergency
  • Reliability, honesty, and trustworthiness
How long does it take to hire a nanny?
Open How long does it take to hire a nanny?

The average time to recruit a nanny from start to finish is 2-6 weeks.

The Signature Staff team spend a considerable amount of effort to draw up a shortlist of candidates whom are the best-fit for your household based on your requirements and their skill-set and personality.

Further time needs to be allowed for the schedules of both the client and candidates for interviews and possible subsequent trials particularly for overseas roles.

If you require and position to be filled urgently please advise your consultant of your anticipated time frame and we will work out hardest to fulfil your request.

For a temporary nanny the process can prove to be over a significantly shorter time frame (as little as 1 hour).

What are the employer’s obligations in the UK?
Open What are the employer’s obligations in the UK?

You, as the employer, will be responsible for paying all necessary tax, national insurance and pension contributions in addition to the employee’s net salary.

Signature Staff recommend using Nannytax, a specialist outsourced payroll provider to undertake this. Nannytax will charge you an annual fee to look. after this.

Nannytax will generate a monthly payslip for the employee detailing the net amount (after tax, pension contributions & student loan deductions) to be paid into the employee bank account by the employer.

The employer will also then settle both the employer & employee’s tax, pension and other obligations in a monthly payment to HMRC.

Your Signature Staff consultant will be able to secure a 10% discount on the Nannytax service.

What background checks do Signature Staff run on its candidates?
Open What background checks do Signature Staff run on its candidates?

All candidates who register with us need to meet our rigorous vetting process;

References: we require them to have at least 3  years’ experience with checkable references – we don’t just stop at two referees, we will try and reach every one of their past employers.

Face-to-Face Meeting: We ask all candidates to attend a face to face meeting at our Central London office, during this interview, we’ll verify their identity, working rights; site their documentation and make sure we have a thorough understanding of their skills, experience and what they’re looking for in a job.

Certificates:

  • Photo ID: either a valid passport or driving licence
  • Identity documentation: in date Passport, Driving Licence, Birth Certificate, NI No, etc
  • Proof of eligibility to work in the UK if seeking a position in the UK
  • Reasons for any gaps in employment
  • Original certificates to prove qualifications
  • An up-to-date DBS certificate (for those working with children)
  • An up-to-date First Aid certificate (for those working with children)
What fee does Signature Staff charge as an agency?
Open What fee does Signature Staff charge as an agency?

For permanent placements we charge a % of the candidate’s gross annual salary, payable when an offer of employment is made by the client and accepted by the candidate.

For temporary placements we charge a weekly fee.

Our fees are extremely competitive, please do contact a Signature Staff consultant to find out more.

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