When you employ a nanny in the UK you not only have to find the best carer for your children, you also become an employer, and as such you take on a host of responsibilities. For instance, you have to draw up an employment contract with your nanny within eight weeks of her starting date and you must also give your nanny a payslip every time she gets paid.

It is a legal responsibility that you have employer’s liability insurance, and you must also make sure that you pay your nanny at least the NMW or above.

In addition you need to have a good understanding of the basics of employment law, because it’s surprisingly easy to make mistakes when you're juggling issues such as holiday entitlement, SSP, benefits in kind, SMP and redundancy pay.