Hi there
Thank you for all your replies. I should have added in my initial post that she works part time, not full time, and that for some other weeks in the year (during part of school holidays) I will have her full time: would it be fair to make up the time between the weeks where she does not work because we are away and the weeks where she works more than usual?
I think I would pay her in full in any event, however I wanted to know what other families do.

Mumoftwoboys, some companies who close the office for several days at Christmas may require in the contract that part of an employees holiday entitlement is taken at that time though! Not many companies generously add on a couple of weeks holiday to the usual holiday allowance without batting an eyelid.

Almaceti, first you need to check the contract to see what options you have. Some standard nanny contracts give you clauses to cover these eventualities, like the option to 'lay off' for a period of time for example. You may not want to do this without any pay even if the contract allows as it could create badwill with your nanny. However, it may give you a starting point for negotiating a compromise while you are away.

You may be able to assign her alternative duties while you are away for example - sometimes a contract will include a clause entitling you to do this anyway. Even if it is not in the contract you could discuss this with her and see what she says. For example, sorting out the childrens toys and simple fixing of any broken toys where possible, sorting out old clothes for the charity shop, sewing name labels on new clothes. Also, minding the house while you are away, watering plants etc. If you have pets maybe she could take care of them while you are away.

Alternatively, you could consider taking her on holiday with you (obviously paying her costs) so that you have someone to care for the children and you get some time off. If this isn't in the contract you would need to get her agreement but on the other hand if you are going somewhere nice it might not be difficult getting agreement!

Agree with everyone. You must continue to pay even if she isn't "working" as she has agreed to a full time Nanny position. Any extra unpaid time off must be agreed before she accepts the job (for example, I need you 11 months out of the year or 4 days a week, etc...)

Can she look after the house while you are away or do other "work" like organization, etc... Also, sometimes if it is school holidays, you might find an arrangement where she looks after some friends kids for a few days which helps you both out.

Even though we are employers, we don't get to pay out of our full pay... we have a net salary and we pay childcare from that... The nanny usually understands that having her means some stretch for your family financially and she might be able to help you help her.

Hi

You should definitely pay, if you are in full time employment for a company and the company decides to shut it's office for two weeks over Christmas then you would still be paid because you are a full time employee. This is the same if your nanny is a full time employee. We (myself included) do tend to forget that we are employers when it comes to our nannies and we sometimes look for loop holes but I find that if I look at the way I look at myself in my work place and how I am treated by my employer and apply the same principles then it usually works!

You should pay in full, I think. Or rather, that's what we are doing. As with any job that you are employed permanently you would be paid throughout the year. Most employment contracts stipulate that you choose two weeks and the Nanny can choose two weeks if they are full time. We are in a Nanny-share so it requires some juggling to sort out holiday! Hope that helps. If your Nanny is good you want to keep hold of them, I know ours is fantastic and really value her. Hope that helps.

If she takes her on holiday she also has to pay for her travel costs, accommodation and food on top of the salary. As a nanny I would feel very upset if I were left unpaid and I would consider leaving. I expect 52 paid weeks just like everyone else in a 'normal' job. But it seems that most of the mums here understand that. Thank you ladies!

I assume that if those two weeks have to be paid to her anyway I would rather then take her with me on vacation so she takes care of the child... Otherwise there is no point of leaving her and paying her salary..

You should pay in full. Your nanny is available to work, should you choose to go away for more days than her holiday entitlement that is your choice. However to avoid this issue many contracts will stipulate nanny holidays taken 2 weeks your choice, 2 weeks hers. If you do not have that arrangement then the nanny is entitled to full pay. In my experience I always used to use the time to give the toys a good clean, fill the freezer with food and reorganise any cupboards. All jobs which still can be done without the children being there. So you could potentially utilise the hours if you wanted to.

I agree with all above.
Most nanny contracts should state that out of the 4 weeks holiday, you choose two weeks and the nanny gets to choose two weeks

If you take extra holiday on top of your chosen two weeks, then your nanny should be paid in full as she hasn't chosen to take that time off. If it is extra time off that is her choice and more than her two weeks, I would suggest discussing this with her first and then deciding whether she should be paid or make up the hours.

Hello..

If you are to take holiday then you should pay your nanny in full as she would be willing to go to work but cant as you are away..

It would be very unfair not to pay her , after all , she still has to pay bils etc

I pay in full.

It will depend on what you have agreed in your contract with her but if I take extra holiday then I pay my nanny in full even if it is over and above her annual holiday entitlement because she is losing out otherwise and would be willing to turn up and work on those days and earn her money but cannot do so because we are not there.

My nanny's contract provides that she gets to choose when to take 2 weeks of her holiday and I get to choose when she takes 2 weeks of her holiday (which is when we have booked our holiday) and any extra holiday I choose to take I pay her for.

Hi I just wonder what you do when your nanny has already taken all her holidays for the year and you have extra weeks where you are away and don't need her. Do you pay her in full? half pay or not at all?
Thanks