The National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates are changing from the 1st October 2015. These rates are relevant to all employed assistants. The new rates are -
· £6.70 per hour for workers 21 years old and over;
· £5.30 per hour for workers 18-20 years old
· £3.87 per hour for workers under 18 years old; and
· £3.30 per hour for apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year (all other apprentices are entitled to the NMW for their age).
The National Minimum Wage is the minimum wages pay per hour that workers are entitled to by law. Employers who fail to pay the right amount will face a financial penalty may be prosecuted.
Note – from April 2016 the National Living Wage will be introduced @ £7.20 per hour for workers aged 25+.
Thank you to Denise Tupman from Grafton Childcare for the updated information.
Employed vs self-employed? Which is best?
If your assistant is tied to your business and cannot work elsewhere because, for example, they are included in your ratios then they have to be employed. If your assistant is freelance and can choose to work elsewhere, they can be self-employed.
An employed assistant has employment rights – they are entitled to sick and holiday pay and must have a contract. You can find more details on the ACAS website. There is a free assistant contract here – just log in with a free Childcare.co.uk account to download it.
A self-employed assistant should have an agreement rather than a contract which states their self-employment terms and conditions. You can use the free contract to write your agreement.
All assistants must have a CRB or DBS check – DBS update (depending on date registered) – EY2 form completed – Ofsted suitability letter. You must deliver induction training and you must ask your LSCB what safeguarding training they are required to complete. You must offer your assistant opportunities to improve through ongoing supervision and training – and during your Ofsted inspection you will be expected to do a joint observation with an inspector. It is important to check your assistant’s ongoing suitability.
If you have any questions about assistants please read the blogs on this page - or ask for further information.
Sarah.
· £6.70 per hour for workers 21 years old and over;
· £5.30 per hour for workers 18-20 years old
· £3.87 per hour for workers under 18 years old; and
· £3.30 per hour for apprentices aged 16 to 18 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year (all other apprentices are entitled to the NMW for their age).
The National Minimum Wage is the minimum wages pay per hour that workers are entitled to by law. Employers who fail to pay the right amount will face a financial penalty may be prosecuted.
Note – from April 2016 the National Living Wage will be introduced @ £7.20 per hour for workers aged 25+.
Thank you to Denise Tupman from Grafton Childcare for the updated information.
Employed vs self-employed? Which is best?
If your assistant is tied to your business and cannot work elsewhere because, for example, they are included in your ratios then they have to be employed. If your assistant is freelance and can choose to work elsewhere, they can be self-employed.
An employed assistant has employment rights – they are entitled to sick and holiday pay and must have a contract. You can find more details on the ACAS website. There is a free assistant contract here – just log in with a free Childcare.co.uk account to download it.
A self-employed assistant should have an agreement rather than a contract which states their self-employment terms and conditions. You can use the free contract to write your agreement.
All assistants must have a CRB or DBS check – DBS update (depending on date registered) – EY2 form completed – Ofsted suitability letter. You must deliver induction training and you must ask your LSCB what safeguarding training they are required to complete. You must offer your assistant opportunities to improve through ongoing supervision and training – and during your Ofsted inspection you will be expected to do a joint observation with an inspector. It is important to check your assistant’s ongoing suitability.
If you have any questions about assistants please read the blogs on this page - or ask for further information.
Sarah.