Search for Day Nurseries in...
England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
Islands
Owners

 

Nannies

Nanny looking after childrenA nanny is employed by you to look after your child in your own home. Because the nanny is employed by you that means you are responsible for her wages, tax and national insurance. Also the nannies working conditions should be suitable as you are liable if they are not.

A nanny may have a childcare qualification or experience but some do not so it is always worth checking this before holding interviews.

A nanny can look after all ages of children.

There are 3 types of nanny,

  • Live in – the nanny lives in your house and receives room and board from you.
  • Daily – the nanny comes to your house each day at the times agreed
  • Nanny Share - the nanny works for another family as well. This may be that the nanny looks after children from both families together of that the families split the week between them. If a nanny looks after children from more than 2 families then she has to register as a childminder. (If the children from another family are cared for in your house by the nanny you should check to see if your insurance covers this)

You can find a nanny by advertising in a newspaper or magazine or by going to a nanny agency. Agencies charge a fee but they will have checked out the nannies offered. Also other parents might be able to recommend a nanny to you.


A nanny should have a contract of employment with you covering pay, hours, holidays and the duties expected from them e.g. cooking for the child, washing their clothes, etc.

A nanny’s salary can be anything from £220 to £580 a week if they are live in or £230 to £600 if they are daily. These figures depend on the hours worked and the area in which you live. The upper figures are for London areas.

The benefits to having a nanny are that your child is cared for in their own home, a nanny can care for all your children, a nanny can care for your child if they are ill, a nanny will follow your routine and can work the hours you need.

The downsides to having a nanny are that you are responsible for checking a nannies references and ensuring that your nanny is a safe person to care for your child as nannies are not regulated, you are also responsible for her pay, tax and insurance, your child may not have much opportunity to socialise with other children, a nanny may not have much experience or training so may not be able to cope with your child or provide the level of care your child needs and a nanny may be expensive.