Lockdown measures to slow the spread of coronavirus have shaken up our normal everyday routine, and, of course, the routine of the family we work for. We at Yoopies understand that this may be a stressful and confusing time for nannies and babysitters. Should I continue to go to work? Can I access Government aid? Can I be furloughed?
You may have a lot of questions, but you’re not alone! We’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions by nannies and babysitters to ensure you have up to date information on childcare during coronavirus. (Last updated 03/11/2020)
Nannies
1) Should I continue to go to work?
Nannies are able to continue to work throughout the second lockdown.
The Prime Minister has specifically said that “childcare, early years settings, schools, colleges, and universities will remain open.” You can find out more about the new government measures on the Government website.
The Government urges at-home childcare providers to only work if they are not showing symptoms and to follow the safety precautions outlined by Public Health England. This includes:
- Regularly washing your hands with soap and hot water for 20 seconds, particularly after coughing or sneezing and when arriving or leaving work.
- Using a tissue when coughing or sneezing and throwing it away immediately after use.
- Disinfecting objects and surfaces regularly
- Avoiding close contact with family members that you are not directly caring for
- Avoiding public transport where possible
- Not meeting up in groups of more than two people when outside of work
- Avoiding touching your nose and eyes.
- Not working for a family which is self-isolating or if a family member is in a high-risk category
- Self-isolating if you or someone in your home are showing symptoms
We recommend that nannies have an open and honest discussion with their employer about the safety measures to be followed, commuting safely, and whether their services are needed at this time. To avoid public transport, some parents have offered to drop and pick their nanny up should they not have access to a car, and others have offered bike subscriptions. This is something you can discuss with your employer.
2.) What government aid can I access?
The Government has extended its Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to December 2020. Nannies can receive 80% of their salary or up to £2500 a month funded by the Government. Parent employers can choose to top this up to 100%. You can also be flexibly furloughed to work fewer hours. Eligibility criteria include:
- You can now only claim if you have been previously furloughed by your employee before 30 June 2020 and you have submitted a claim for this by 31 July 2020
- Having a UK bank account
3.) What if the family I work for aren’t eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme?
Whilst it may be an uncomfortable topic to approach with your employer, we do recommend an open discussion to ensure you are completely clear about your financial and employment situation. If you are unable to work or worried about going to work, there may be other options such as:
- Discussing whether your employer can continue to pay you your full or partial rate
- Finding an alternative way in which to work, such as nannying or tutoring via your webcam through ‘virtual nannying’
- Working reduced hours and traveling at calmer hours if you’re concerned about travel
- Discussing options such as temporarily becoming a ‘live-in’ nanny
- Referring back to your contract about payment should your contract be terminated
4.) What if the family I work for refuses to furlough me?
Nannies are able to ask their employer to furlough them and parents are able to ask their nanny to be furloughed. In most cases, the nanny and family can come to a mutual agreement.
In the case in which a family insists that the nanny comes to work, however, the nanny believes that they are unable to do so safely, and are subsequently laid-off, the nanny may be able to claim unfair dismissal. For more information about your employment rights, click here.
5.) What if I get coronavirus or show symptoms?
Nannies enrolled on the PAYE scheme are entitled to employment benefits including sickness pay. The contract between you and the family you work for should define how much you are to be paid should you become unwell and cannot work. This should be the statutory minimum pay and is available from the first day of illness. You are able to claim this if you:
- Have been diagnosed with coronavirus
- Are showing coronavirus symptoms or someone in your own household is showing symptoms
- Have been advised to self-isolate by the 111 NHS service
6.) What if the family I work for are self-isolating?
If you are a live-out nanny and the family you work for are self-isolating due to coronavirus or coronavirus symptoms, make sure you and the family respect the period of isolation recommended by the Government before you return to work. Your family should continue to pay your full salary during this time. More information about the suggested isolation period can be found here
If you are a live-in nanny, you should respect the self-isolation period with the family you work for and have no contact with people outside the household. More information can be found here
7.) Can I take the children I look after outside?
Yes, you are able to take the children you look after to the park and outdoor spaces more than once a day. When at the park, you should adhere to social distancing rules with regard to people outside your household. It is not yet clear whether childminders are still exempt from the ‘rule of 6’ for outings.
When leaving the house with the children, we recommend you bring hand sanitiser and tissues.
You are able to transport children in cars for essential journeys eg.) going to school
Babysitters:
1.) Can I work during lockdown?
Parents are able to form a childcare bubble with another household for the use of informal childcare, such as a babysitter. The childcare bubble is restricted between two households only, meaning you can only babysit for one household.
The Government urges at-home childcare providers to follow the safety precautions outlined by Public Health England. This includes:
- Regularly washing your hands with soap and hot water for 20 seconds, particularly after coughing or sneezing and when arriving or leaving work.
- Using a tissue when coughing or sneezing and throwing it away immediately after use.
- Disinfecting objects and surfaces regularly
- Avoiding close contact with family members that you are not directly caring for
- Avoiding public transport where possible
- Not meeting up in groups of more than two people when outside of work
- Avoiding touching your nose and eyes.
- Not working for a family which is self-isolating or if a family member is in a high-risk category
- Self-isolating if you or someone in your home are showing symptoms
2.) How can I still earn some extra money during lockdown?
There are a few other ways you can continue to work safely:
- Offer online babysitting. Parents are looking for trustworthy childcare providers to keep their children company via webcam whilst the parents are working. This should only be done with older children and when at least one responsible adult is home.
- Offer services such as online tutoring. Many families are looking for students, tutors, and teachers to help their children with school support. This should only be done when at least one responsible adult is home.
- Offer to run errands for busy families, such as grocery shopping.
3.) If I am not working, should the family continue to pay me?
There is no legal obligation for the family to keep paying you whilst you are unable to work. We recommend you have an open and friendly discussion with the parents to ensure employment and financial clarity on both sides.
If you are self–employed, there are a couple of financial options available to you including:
Self-Employment Grant
In light of the new lockdown, the grant available will be uplifted for November to 80 percent, along with the 40 percent level of trading profits for December and January, increasing the total level of the third grant to 55 percent of trading profits. The maximum grant will increase to £5,160. The Government has pledged to pay this amount faster than previously planned.
You can check here if you’re eligible.
Universal Credit:
Childminders can apply for Universal Credit, and the government has increased the allowance of UC. This may be a particularly useful option should you be waiting for your Self Employment Grant or are a new childminding business. Any new claimants will not have to demonstrate active efforts to gain business to the jobcentre, however, the eligibility criteria have not changed. You must prove:
- Low income or not working
- Over 18
- Under the state pension age (or your partner is under)
- You (and your partner) have less than £16,000 in savings
- You are a UK resident
The Government has pledged to cut the usual 5-week waiting time. More information about applying can be found here.