if money is the issue what about trying to find her an alternative source of income with friends etc? its swings and roundabouts - our nanny had 5 weeks off in the summer because she wanted to go home. ordinarily i (and im sure most 'employers') wouldnt find that acceptable but as she doesnt get holiday pay i had to be gracious!

I used to pay my nanny half pay for when we were on holiday - we had the same sort of arrangement as you i.e. one day a week, informal set up. Could you suggest this?

I guess you have a choice you could not pay her however she might then leave, if she was upset she could report you to IR (I'm assuming you don't pay tax/NI since you say it is one day a week and you don't have a contract) since it is your responsibility to pay her tax/NI they could then fine you.
Assuming I'm wrong and you do pay tax/NI you could just tell her you can't afford to pay her when you are on holiday and she if she wishes to look for another job.
Or you could pay her and possibly even draw up a contract for her.

I guess you need to decide how much you want her to carry on working for you.


Just a thought does your partner get holiday pay? Did you when you worked?

I have a fab nanny who works for us 1 day a week (she works for another family the rest of the week). We don't have a contract as its just one day a week. She has asked to be paid for the days that we are on holidays which I feel is a bit expensive especially as I don't work. She says that this has been her arrangement with families in the past. Has anyone else dealt with this issue as I don't want to be unfair.