Babysitting in the UK: What You Need to Know

As a parent, finding the right childcare can feel like a daunting task with a lot of mixed emotions. On one hand, there’s honestly nothing more exciting as a parent than the thought of a peaceful day to yourself or night out without the kids. On the other hand, it’s natural to feel anxious about leaving your little ones with someone new, especially for the first time.

You might be surprised to know that there are few specific legal requirements regulating services like babysitting and nannying in the UK. Unlike childminders and nurseries, babysitters and nannies are not required to register with regulatory bodies like Ofsted or do any specific training.

Thankfully, services like Poppet make it safe and easy to find trusted caregivers. Here are some key points to consider when looking for a babysitter or nanny.

Age

In the UK, the legal minimum age to be employed in part-time work is 13 years old. However, it is generally recommended that caregivers are at least 16 years old. Younger children may not have the necessary skills and experience to safely care for children. All caregivers registered with Poppet provide proof of identification and verification that they are over 16 years old. Most caregivers have a lot of professional experience in childcare. Caregivers with less experience are supported within the Poppet community with high-quality training and guidance from experienced caregivers to offer great quality care across a range of needs and settings.

Background Checks

You might be surprised to know that there is no legal requirement in the UK for babysitters or nannies to undertake any form of criminal or background check in order to offer childcare services. Online services like Poppet help ensure safety when you’re choosing a caregiver whether it’s a last minute babysitter or regular childcare service; we complete comprehensive background checks (including an enhanced DBS) for every caregiver registered with Poppet. Along with parent reviews and lots of training and support these checks ensure the safety of everyone using the platform.

Certification and Training

There is no legal requirement for babysitters or nannies to have formal certification or training. However, many caregiver choose to undertake training in topics such as paediatric first aid, early years education and child development, which can be viewed on their Poppet profiles. We support caregivers to undertake accredited courses so they can feel confident and prepared caring for children across a range of ages and settings.

Insurance

It is not a legal required for babysitters or nannies to have insurance, but it is a good idea as a parent and caregiver to get specialist insurance to protect you in the unlikely event of an accidents, injury or other damage. All Poppet caregivers are provided with specialist childcarers insurance.

Working Hours

There are no specific legal restrictions on the number of hours that babysitters or nannies can work in the UK. However, looking after young children can be both hugely reward and exhausting (just ask any parent!) It is important to consider your own energy and ability to provide safe and attentive care as a caregiver.

Pay and Contracts

Babysitters and nannies in the UK are not required to have a written contract. But however you find your childcare it is a good idea to discuss and agree on the terms beforehand, including pay and responsibilities. Families who employ a nanny directly in the UK need to register as an employer with HMRC, set up a PAYE scheme and are responsible for deducting and paying Income Tax and National Insurance contributions to HMRC. Booking using a service like Poppet means you can be confident that whatever your childcare need, you can make bookings and arrange easy and secure in-app payments at the touch of a button.

In conclusion, there are not many legal requirements for babysitters and nannies in the UK. Online services like Poppet can help provide peace-of-mind by ensuring every caregiver is vetted, insured and supported to offer amazing care, and your bookings and payments are secure and hassle-free.