Everything You Need to Know About Employing a Childminder or Nanny

Everything parents need to know when employing a childminder or nanny

We were delighted to be asked by Rollercoaster.ie to share the important information that parents need to know when employing a childminder or nanny.  Finding suitable childcare can be difficult and stressful. Once the search itself is over and parents have found a great childminder, though, that’s only the beginning of the process!

Employing a childminder in your home is often a great option and has many advantages for both parents and children. It does mean that parents themselves become employers and that they have certain legal and statutory obligations to fulfill.

It’s important to understand these obligations as families who may have previously paid their nannies in cash now run the risk of facing punitive tax penalties and nannies themselves are increasingly aware of their employment rights.

We know this can seem daunting if it’s not something which you are familiar with, so here are some of the main things you need to consider:

Childminder/Nanny Employment Rights include:

• All childminders are entitled to receive the minimum wage, currently €10.20 (From 1 February 2021 previously €10.10) per hour in Ireland
• The maximum average working week should not exceed 48 hours
• A written contract of employment must be provided within 5 days of commencing work
• All employees must receive a payslip at the end of each pay period showing gross wages and all deductions
• Statutory annual leave of four weeks must be provided for each year worked. However, more can be provided at the discretion of the parent. All full-time employees are entitled to be paid for 9 public holidays

Parents Employer Obligations include:

• Parents must register as an employer with Revenue
• Provide your childminder with an employment contract
• Calculate and pay PAYE, PRSI and USC on your childminder’s behalf
• Pay employer’s PRSI contributions for your employee to the Social Insurance Fund
• Provide your childminder with a payslip for each pay period
• Submit an online return to Revenue at each pay period

Read the full Rollercoaster article here and click here to find out more about our Payroll Services.

Looking for a childminder in Ireland?

Childminder Dublin

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Childminder Limerick