This help centre article has been written for the Koru Kids nanny service
Sick pay can be complicated, but don't worry, we'll calculate everything for you. If your nanny is eligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), the cost sits with you as their employer, but Koru Kids will handle all the admin. Find out more about SSP here: https://www.gov.uk/statutory-sick-pay.
If your nanny is unwell and unable to work, they should report this as sick leave on their timesheet. This ensures you are not charged for any shifts they miss during this time.
What is Statutory Sick Pay?
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is a legal minimum payment your nanny is entitled to if they're too ill to work. It's set by the government and paid by you as the employer. We will calculate it all for you and if your nanny is eligible, we will adjust your invoice accordingly, so you don't need to work anything out yourself.
Who qualifies?
The rules changed on 6 April 2026 and eligibility is now broader than it used to be. From that date, your nanny qualifies for SSP if they:
Have worked at least one shift for your family
Are absent for at least one day due to illness
Tell you they are sick within 7 days of the absence starting
There is no longer a minimum earnings threshold. If your nanny doesn't qualify, we'll let you know and there's a note below about your options in that case.
How much is SSP?
SSP is paid at £123.25 per week, or 80% of your nanny's average weekly earnings over the 8 weeks before their absence - whichever is lower. SSP can be paid for up to 28 weeks of absence.
How does the process work — step by step?
Your nanny logs their sick leave on their Koru Kids timesheet
This is important, as it's what triggers the SSP process and ensures you're not charged for any shifts they miss while they're unwell. If your nanny doesn’t log their sick leave on the timesheet, they won’t be assessed for SSP.
We review eligibility
Once sick leave is added, you will receive an email from us confirming it has been logged. Our payroll team will check whether your nanny meets the qualifying criteria. There is nothing you need to do.
We calculate the amount
If your nanny qualifies, we’ll calculate any SSP they may be entitled to, based on their earnings over the previous 8 weeks.
We keep you informed
We assess eligibility at the end of each pay cycle and will email you towards the end of the month to let you know if your nanny is entitled to SSP and how much for.
It appears on your invoice
The SSP amount will be added to your invoice for that month, clearly labelled. You pay it through your usual Direct Debit - no separate payment needed.
What do you need to do?
Nothing - we’ll handle it all. If your nanny tells you they're unwell, it's worth reminding them to log it on their timesheet straight away, so the process can run smoothly.
What if my nanny doesn't qualify for SSP?
If your nanny doesn't meet the eligibility criteria, they won't receive SSP, but you can choose to pay them on a goodwill basis if you'd like to. This would be a discretionary payment. If you’d like to arrange this, please let us know and we can add it to your invoice.
Does sick leave affect minimum hours?
If your nanny is sick and logs their absence, those sick days won't count towards their minimum hours for that week. You won't be charged a top-up for shifts they missed due to illness.
Sick notes and fit notes
For most periods of sickness, your nanny doesn't need to provide any medical documentation - you simply pay SSP based on their self-reported absence. However, if your nanny is unwell for more than seven consecutive calendar days (including weekends), you have the right to request a fit note from them.
It's worth noting that "seven days" means seven calendar days in a row - not seven working days. So if a nanny is off from Monday through to the following Sunday, that's seven consecutive days and you could ask for a fit note from day eight onwards.
What if I want to dispute SSP?
If you have concerns about a period of sick leave, please get in touch with us and we can talk it through.