Finding the right nanny is about more than qualifications. It’s about connection, trust, and support.

As a nanny agency, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. We help schedule interviews, negotiate pay, co-ordinate trial days, check references and offer contract guidance. We provide this service to enable you to focus solely on finding a nanny that feels like the right match for your family.

Here are some tips to follow when interviewing:

Start with a clear picture of your needs

Before interviews begin, we’ll help you define what you're looking for. This includes your schedule, duties, parenting style and must-haves like driving or flexibility. Knowing what you need from the start makes interviews smoother and more effective.

Ask meaningful questions

We’ll provide you with sample questions tailored to your situation. But here are a few helpful ones to get you started:

• “What do you enjoy most about working with children?”

• “How do you handle tantrums or difficult moments?”

• “Can you describe a typical day when caring for children of this age?”

You’re looking for thoughtful answers, but also for warmth, confidence and clear communication.

Look for connection, not just credentials

Experience is important, but personality matters too. Pay attention to how the nanny engages with you and how they speak about past roles. Do they come across as genuine and caring? Can you imagine them fitting into your home?

Let your child be part of the process

If possible, we recommend including your child during or after the interview. Even a short interaction can help you see how the nanny connects with your child and whether your child seems at ease.

Talk through daily routines and expectations

We’ll help you outline your family’s routines, so you can clearly communicate what a typical day looks like. Be ready to talk about:

• Naps, meals and daily routines

• Your child/children’s personalities and needs

• Household expectations, if any

This helps ensure your nanny and your family are on the same page.

Let us handle pay and negotiation

You don’t need to worry about discussing pay during the interview. We take care of all salary negotiations for you. As an agency, we are partnered with NannyTax who offer guidance on current nanny rates and all queries related to employing a nanny.

We check references for you

You won’t have to track down past employers. We contact and verify professional references, then share detailed feedback with you. Questions we ask include:

• “Would you hire this nanny again?”

• “How did they handle challenges?”

• “What stood out most about their care?”

• “Were they punctual and reliable?”

We arrange paid trial days

Trials are one of the best ways to confirm the fit. We’ll organise a paid trial day, in addition to an extended trial period providing the trial day was successful. This enables you to observe how the nanny handles your routines and how they interact with your child/children in real life.

We provide a professional contract template

Once you’ve chosen your nanny, we take care of the paperwork. We provide a clear, customisable contract template that outlines:

• Working hours and responsibilities

• Pay, holidays, and sick leave

• Notice periods, confidentiality, and other important terms

We also walk both you and the nanny through the agreement so there are no surprises.

Trust the process and your instincts

Interviews are not just about facts and figures. You’ll know when something feels right and it’s okay to lean into that. If it doesn’t feel like a match, we’ll continue the search until we find the right one.

We’re with you every step of the way

At NANNIED, we do more than just introduce you to candidates. We support you from your first consultation onwards. Our support doesn’t end with the start of the placement, it continues for as long as you need us. That is the NANNIED difference.

Finding the right nanny is a very personal process. Refining your criteria can help you define the role.

Part-Time or Full-Time

Do you need a nanny for a few hours a day or for full working days throughout the week? Consider your work schedule, your family’s routine and any other regular commitments that affect your childcare needs.

Live-In or Live-Out

Would you prefer a live-in nanny who becomes part of the household or a live-out nanny who commutes to and from work each day?
If you are considering live-in care, what kind of accommodation can you provide?

Salary expectations

What is your weekly or monthly budget for your nanny’s salary? We are happy to advise you on current rates so you can offer a fair and competitive package.

Days and Hours of Work

What days and hours would you like your nanny to work?
Do you need help in the mornings or afternoons or do you require full-day cover?

Babysitting Requirements

Will you need your nanny to babysit once or twice during the week?
If so, babysitting is usually expected to take place on working days unless otherwise agreed in advance.

Driving

Do you need your nanny to drive?
If so will they use their own car or will a family vehicle be provided?

Personality Fit

Are you looking for someone upbeat and outgoing or would your family be more suited to a calm and traditional nanny?
Think about the personality that would complement your family best.

Travel with the Family

Do you need your nanny to be willing and able to travel with you?
This could be for family holidays or work-related travel.

Language Skills

Would you prefer a bilingual nanny or is fluency in English your only requirement?
Let us know if there is a particular language that would benefit your child or household.

Shared Care or Sole Charge

Will the nanny be responsible for the children on their own or will a parent or another adult be present throughout the day?
Understanding the structure of your home environment helps us find the right fit.

Qualifications vs Experience

Do you prefer a nanny with formal childcare qualifications or are you happy with someone who has a great deal of hands-on experience and excellent references?

Need More Guidance?

Feel free to reach out with any additional questions you may have.

While a nanny’s main priority is the care and wellbeing of your child or children, there are several additional tasks that usually fall under their role. These are commonly known as nursery duties and are focused entirely on the children and their immediate environment.

Here’s what you can generally expect from a professional nanny:

• Laundry for the children including washing, drying, ironing and putting away their clothes and bedding

• Preparing healthy meals and snacks that are suited to the children's needs and routines

• Tidying the children’s spaces such as their bedroom, bathroom and playroom

• School or nursery drop-offs and pick-ups

• Supervising or arranging playdates and outings

• Planning age-appropriate activities both indoors and outdoors that support development and wellbeing

These duties are all child-focused and form part of the nanny’s regular responsibilities.

What’s Not Included?

Nannies are not expected to carry out general household cleaning or cook for the entire family unless this is clearly discussed, agreed in advance and included in the employment contract.

When Are These Duties Completed?

Nursery duties are usually done during natural breaks in the day, such as while the children are napping or at school. However, plans may change and it’s important to keep in mind that the children’s care always comes first. Flexibility is part of the role.

Employer Responsibilities: What You Need to Know

When you hire a nanny, you become an employer and there are a number of important legal and practical responsibilities to be aware of. At NANNIED, we’re here to guide you through the process and ensure everything is set up with clarity and care.

Here are the key things to consider:

Employment Status

Nannies are not usually considered self-employed. In almost all cases, they must be employed through PAYE (Pay As You Earn), with tax and National Insurance contributions handled correctly.

You can find more guidance on employment status here:
HMRC guidance via Nannytax

Payroll and Tax

As the employer, it is your responsibility to:

• Register with HMRC as an employer

• Run payroll or use a payroll provider

• Pay income tax and National Insurance on your nanny’s gross salary

• Provide payslips each month

We highly recommend using a payroll service like Nannytax for a smooth and stress-free setup. We are partnered with NannyTax and often able to provide a discount code for you to register with them.

Employer’s Liability Insurance

You are legally required to have Employer’s Liability Insurance in place. This is sometimes included in household insurance, but if not, you can purchase standalone cover through providers like:

• Nannytax

• Morton Michel

Contracts

A written employment contract is essential. It sets out expectations, hours, salary, duties and other important terms.

We provide sample contracts for all our placements (live-in, live-out and temporary) which can be adapted for your use. If your nanny lives with you, we recommend including a licence to occupy agreement, clearly stating that accommodation is provided as part of employment and not as a tenancy.

Travel Abroad

If your nanny will be travelling with your family, this should be included in the contract. As the employer, you are responsible for:

• Covering all travel costs, insurance and accommodation

• Providing a private room if possible, or discussing arrangements in advance

• Paying for any additional hours worked or offering time off in lieu

• Confirming the nanny has the right travel documents or visas

Remember: time away from home is not considered a holiday for your nanny. Compensation should reflect the extra responsibility and disruption to their routine.

Right to Work in the UK

It is your legal responsibility to ensure your nanny has the right to work in the UK. All nannies within the NANNIED network have been verified as having the legal right to work in the UK. Not all agencies offer this peace of mind, meaning it becomes the sole responsibility of the employer.

More information here:
UK Government guidance

Pensions and Auto-Enrolment

All UK employers must offer a workplace pension under the government’s Auto-Enrolment scheme.

If your nanny is:

• Aged 22 or older

• Below State Pension age

• Earning over £10,000 per year

• Usually working in the UK

...then you must automatically enrol them in a pension scheme.

Both you and your nanny will contribute to the pension, and the government also adds a contribution. This is based on their gross salary.

It is illegal to ask a nanny to opt out of the scheme. If they choose to do so, the decision must be entirely theirs.

More details:
 Auto-Enrolment – Nannytax
Government guidance

Summary of Your Key Responsibilities

As a nanny employer, you must:

• Pay tax and NI on the nanny’s gross salary

• Provide a written employment contract

• Offer a workplace pension (if eligible)

• Have Employer’s Liability Insurance

• Ensure the nanny has the right to work in the UK

• Arrange payroll (we recommend using a specialist provider)

• Cover travel costs and insurance if your nanny travels with your family

• Treat your nanny fairly and professionally

If you have any questions about setting up as a nanny employer, we’re always here to help. We’ll happily connect you with trusted partners like Nannytax to handle the admin on your behalf.

Nanny salaries in London vary depending on the nature of the role, the hours involved and the nanny’s level of experience or qualifications. Whether you're hiring a full-time live-out nanny, a live-in nanny or after-school help, having a sense of typical pay ranges is helpful.

Net or Gross Salary?

Nanny salaries are sometimes discussed in net terms (take-home pay). However, it is essential to agree on the gross amount from the outset. This avoids confusion and ensures payroll, pension and tax responsibilities are handled correctly. Employment contracts should always state the gross salary.

The figures below reflect gross pay and are based on nannies with at least two years of full-time professional experience.

NANNY SALARY GUIDE (GROSS)

These are approximate rates based on a standard 50-hour week unless otherwise noted. Salaries may vary depending on experience, qualifications and job specifics.

Live-out nanny (permanent): £17 to £25+ per hour

Live-in nanny (5 days per week): £600 to £900+ per week

Temporary live-out nanny: £20 to £25+ per hour

Weekend live-out nanny: £20 to £30+ per hour

Weekend live-in nanny: By negotiation depending on hours and duties

After-school nanny: £22 to £25+ per hour

Maternity nurse (1 baby): £300 to £400+ per 24 hours

These figures include the employee pension contribution and are based on the standard tax code.

Things to Consider

• Most full-time nannies work five days per week. Live-out nannies may be happy to babysit during the week, but this is usually paid separately and arranged in advance.

• Live-in nannies generally work longer hours, around 60 hours per week, in exchange for accommodation and not having to commute. One to two nights of weekday babysitting are usually included in their salary. These should not fall on weekends or days off unless otherwise agreed.

• A private bedroom should be provided for live-in nannies, ideally with a separate bathroom.

• After-school and weekend nannies are in short supply and often command higher rates due to the limited hours and less opportunity to supplement their income with other work.

• For after-school roles, it's common for hours to increase during school holidays. This should be outlined clearly in the contract and reflected in the rate of pay.

Need Support with Salary Advice?

We’re always happy to discuss your role and advise on a fair and competitive salary. Pay is just one part of the picture. Extras such as private car use, flexible hours or shorter workweeks can also help make a role more appealing.

If you have questions about salaries, contracts or what’s expected in the current market, we’re here to help. Feel free to get in touch at any time.

At NANNIED, we offer more than just high-quality nanny placements. We provide a thoughtful, professional service that supports both families and nannies throughout the entire journey, with a focus on wellbeing, trust and long-term success.

What Sets Us Apart?

• We only represent nannies with 2+ years of full-time professional experience

• We operate a nine-step screening process to ensure the highest calibre of candidates

• Only a small percentage of applicants are accepted onto our books

• All candidates are ID-checked, DBS-verified and interviewed twice

• First aid certificates are reviewed for validity and recency

• Right to Work checks are completed before nannies are accepted onto our books

• Direct affiliation with NannyTax for support with salary negotiation, contracts, payroll and pensions

• Help with interview preparation and onboarding

• Industry-standard placement fee (based on net salary)

• A one-off £200 annual fee to join the NANNIED Inner Circle gives full access to our service, support and network of exclusive nannies

• We’re connected to a trusted network of family wellness professionals that nannies have access to once employed. These range from child therapists to infant sleep consultants and a huge variety in between. No other agency provides a similar service.

• Nannies can access confidential wellbeing advice during their placement through our nanny support service. This is in place to support nannies and provide a social space for them to connect with other NANNIED nannies

At NANNIED, our focus is always on creating secure, nurturing placements where both families and nannies feel supported, respected and understood.