Advice wanted on nanny maternity pay

[Chippy Minton]

We're thinking of looking for a nanny. We know we'll be paying their tax, NI contributions and providing annual leave, but if they left because they were having a baby would will be required to pay statutory maternity pay? If so, would this we get this as a rebate from the Government? How does it all work?

[Fliss]

Yes, you would be responsible for maternity pay, and you would have to employ someone else to look after your children while your nanny was away, but I don't know about the rebate situation. What I like about childminders is that they are self-employed, so you don't have to worry about any costs which might arise. But then it is difficult to get small children out of the house in the morning and delivered to the childminder, so I fully understand the appeal of having a nanny!

[bawdy-nan]

yes you get the money back (plus a little I think)

[ClareC]

Yes, you get the money back plus an admin fee ie more than your money back, it's paid in a lump sum at the outset too...or two lump sums if the maternity leave spans two tax years!