Please do not hesitate to contact our office
for further information as we offer personal advice and step by step assistance
in all aspects when employing a nanny.
What level of professionalism can I expect when employing an Elite Nanny?
Is it reasonable to expect a nanny to do housework if they are going to be in my home all day?
What duties can I expect of an Elite Nanny when my child is awake and asleep?
1. What if I am not 100% sure what I need regarding day's, hours etc.
Where can I get advice to determine my needs as I have never employed a nanny before.
Where do I start in asking the right questions, as I don't know what I am looking for yet?
Answer: We recommend reading through and
try to answer as many of our questions on our enquiry
form, as it is designed to answer questions whilst assisting parents in
deciding everything from what type of nanny best suits their needs to the duties
of a nanny. You can choose to submit the form and an experienced manager will
contact you to discuss your requirements. Alternativley
you can contact the Managing Director, Grace Scrimizzi directly on 03 9824 24
84 who will provide information and advice to assist you throughout the whole
process to employ a professional Elite Nanny.
2. What level
of responsibility does The Elite Nanny Service recommend parents take when employing
a nanny and what should parents look for when starting the process to employ
a nanny?
Answer: Ask appropriate questions of the service or agency you wish to assist you in employing a nanny. Ensure your questions and needs are met and you are comfortable with the advice given, childcare recommendations and Nanny referrals. Such as:
Do the managers have a childcare background and employment knowledge to provide appropriate options, advice and assist in the immediate placement of a nanny?
Does the agency or service offer any ongoing advice and support to both nannies and families throughout the duration of the employment?
It is the Parent's full responsibility to select a suitable candidate for employment, Ask questions regarding a Nanny's references and relevant experience. Ensure the agency or service conducts a careful screening of all nannies to your satisfaction.
Ask suitable questions which refer to your family's needs and employment requirements of the Elite Nanny's referred to you for interviewing. Ensure your needs were listened to and appropriate advice and recommendations were given pertaining to your needs and circumstances.
A questionnaire will be provided for you
by The Elite Nanny Service will assist you throughout the process of employing
a professional and suitable Elite Nanny
3. What level of professionalism can I expect when employing an Elite Nanny?
Answer: Elite Nannies are required to maintain a professional work ethic when placed for employment within the home with families. This includes respecting their work environment is your home and therefore your home address and phone numbers are not to be given out to a nanny's family and friends. Personal calls are appropriate to be taken on a nanny's personal mobile phone only when appropriate and never used when driving children.
Your child's safety, health and well-being
are an Elite Nanny's priority which should never be compromised. A nanny should
not be placed in a position to complete other house keeping tasks that would
detract from their responsibility to provide quality care.(See
housework)
4: Is it reasonable to expect a nanny to do housework if they are going to be in my home all day?
Answer: No. A professional nanny, when placed with the care of your children, has a moral and legal responsibility to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for your child to be nurtured, stimulated and well cared for. Also a nanny is experienced and qualified to provide quality care for children. Nannies may not be very experienced with "house keeping duties' and therefore any complaints you may have which are not childcare and employment related (i.e.: punctuality, and completing duties pertaining directly to the children) could jeopardize an otherwise excellent working relationship. At The Elite Nanny Service we focus on maintaining a professional work ethic between both nannies and families. This is difficult to uphold when as issues arise which involve a non-childcare issue. It is neither appropriate nor possible for a nanny employed to provide quality childcare and give your child their full attention and also to complete cleaning duties such as: (See Work cover and employer obligations)
5. What duties can I expect of an Elite Nanny when my child is awake and asleep?
Answer: You employ a nanny for their experience and qualifications, not physical labour. Ie: housekeeping, dog walking, personal errands.
Full nursery duties including the children's laundry, preparation of children's meals, light household duties when appropriate (see below) and depending on the level of childcare responsibility you require. I.e.: more than one child and children of different ages, children with special needs etc.
Maintaining a clean and safe environment
for the children and nanny. Duties would include:
If necessary occasional vacuuming, sweeping washing of the kitchen / play areas/
meals area floors for crawling infants. Cleaning up after meal preparation and
meals area i.e.: bench and stove tops.
Tiding the children's play area i.e.: putting
away and cleaning children's toys. Keeping the children's bed rooms clean and
tidy i.e.: cupboards, draws, nappy changing area, change children's bed linen,
putting away clothes and keeping the children's bathroom/toilet hygienically
clean and tidy after bath time.
Emptying the dishwasher, putting a load of washing on the line and general light
tidying up.
Going for walks, taking the children to play at local parks and playgrounds.
Engaging the children in age appropriate and developmentally stimulating in and outdoor activities such as games, puzzles, music and singing, art and craft, painting, building blocks, sand and water play, climbing and outdoor ball games
Engaging the children in activities such
as playgroups, library story times, swimming, music and movement groups, gymbaroo
and art activities.
6. What are my obligations when employing an Elite
Nanny?
Answer: To provide a safe, clean and enjoyable work environment. It is your responsibility to ensure your nanny's duties do not prevent them from providing your child 100% attention and care ie: it is unsafe to be ironing for long periods, cleaning with fluids best kept away from children etc. It is advised to employ separate person for housekeeping and the adult's ironing. Ironing for children is best kept to a minimum and only when appropriate ie when children are sleeping or a time allocated to the nanny when not in charge of caring for the children.
To provide meals, light snacks, pay for children's outings and activities and pay a petrol allowance if your require your nanny to provide and use her own car for work purposes.
To recognise the full responsibility of employing a person to care for children within your home. Ie: difficulties that may arise with a parent working from home, restrictions in taking the children on outings etc. A nanny's rights and entitlements do not change because the work place is within a private home. A Nanny should be employed based upon their experience and qualifications and treated with the same professionalism you expect your nanny to conduct themselves with.
7. Am I obligated to pay Tax, Workcover and Superannuation?
Answer: Yes. You are the employer and required
by law to with hold Tax and pay the with held amount to the Taxation Department
quarterly. You must then issue a group certificate at the end of the financial
year and Superannuation must be paid by the 28th of July after the financial
year. Failure to do so will incur penalties and additional payments from the
employer to the employee's nominated account.
8. What are my Legal obligations as an Employer?
Answer. If employed on a permanent part or full-time basis your nanny will be entitled to the following:
Tax: Family to with hold tax out of the nanny's gross weekly wage.
Superannuation: Superannuation is paid at 8% in addition to the gross weekly wage if your nanny is employed for 30 hours and more per week.
Annual Leave: Paid annual leave is applicable after 3 months of employment and calculated at one week pro rata per 3 months. All nannies are entitled to 4 weeks pro rata paid per annum. Min notice required for application of paid annual leave is 4 weeks at 2 weeks of employers' choice, 2 weeks of the nanny's choice. Leave loading is calculated into the Nanny's nett income if you with hold tax with the no leave loading on the tax sliding scale.
Work cover: The family must take out a Workcover policy once the nanny's gross income exceeds $7500 pa.
Sick Days: 6 days per year, thereafter to be negotiated. (Non cumulative)
Public Holidays: Annual leave is calculated
at one week per 3 months and does not include Public Holidays. Under State law
nannies who are employed on a permanent basis are entitled to be paid and have
the day off from work if a Public Holiday falls on a regular working day unless
it has been negotiated to swap days (permanent part-time) only if the nanny
is available within the same working week. Please note: Nannies are not required
to pay back or make up hours when paid for a public holiday.