Employing a nanny can pay

Media release
10th February 2015

Employing a nanny can pay
- especially with up to 30 hours of ECE subsidies available per child, per week

Nanny agency, KiwiOz Nannies, says that not enough families know that they can claim government ECE (Early Childhood Education) subsidies if they choose to employ a nanny as their preferred childcare option.

The company, which is keen to bust the myth that nannies are expensive and the preserve of the wealthy, recently researched awareness of the subsidies amongst a sample of New Zealand families (with young children) and nannies.

The findings revealed that while many families were eligible, less than half (42%) knew they could claim government subsidies for in-home childcare, with none aware of the fact that the subsidies for nannies are effective from age 0, compared to age three at childcare centres.

The results further suggested that up to 23% of respondent families were eligible for weekly funding and not claiming it.

Helene Girard, Manager of KiwiOz’s new office in Wellington, says nannies are growing in popularity for a number of reasons but believes that there are still families who put off employing a nanny because of the perceived expense.

“We know that many parents want in-home childcare because of the convenience and because they want their children to have undivided attention from a qualified educator. But we also know that some families don’t even consider this option because they don’t know that nannies are affordable and that they can claim government subsidies that are not income-based.”

Ms Girard explains that just as with centre-based early childhood education, there are conditions around the subsidies. “To qualify, families with a nanny need to be enrolled in an education programme. This is where the nanny follows a structured learning curriculum, on top of care duties, and is visited by a qualified teacher on a monthly basis. The programme is typically offered by a nanny agency when a nanny is appointed. However, families can sign up at any time.”

Reader offer: KiwiOz Nannies is offering free sign up to its Hop, Skip & Learn education programme to the first 10 families (who either have or are seeking a nanny) who register with the agency before the end of February*. Enrolment on the programme will allow families to access the ECE funding available for nanny childcare.

*editors, this offer can be extended to meet your publication dates.

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