Employing a Nanny in the UK - A Guide for Families
Hiring a nanny can be one of the most valuable decisions a family makes, providing personalised childcare and support within the home. However, when employing a nanny in the UK, families also take on certain legal responsibilities as an employer.
At Nest & Kin, we guide families through every step of the process — from finding the right nanny to understanding the practical aspects of employing them correctly.
Becoming an Employer
When you hire a nanny, you become their employer. This means there are several responsibilities that families need to be aware of, including:
• Registering as an employer with HMRC
• Running payroll and paying tax and National Insurance
• Providing payslips to the nanny
• Ensuring workplace pension compliance
• Providing an employment contract
• Managing holiday entitlement and statutory payments
While this may sound complicated, many families use specialist payroll providers to handle these requirements on their behalf.
Salary Expectations for Nannies in London
Nanny salaries vary depending on experience, responsibilities and working hours.
In London, typical nanny salaries range from approximately:
• £15–£18 per hour for part-time roles
• £18–£22+ per hour for experienced nannies
• Higher rates for specialised roles or multiple children
At Nest & Kin, we guide families on realistic salary expectations to help attract the right candidates.
Nanny Payroll support
To make the process simple and fully compliant, Nest & Kin recommends trusted nanny payroll providers who specialise in supporting families employing domestic staff.
We work with experienced providers such as NannyTax and NannyPaye, who assist families with all aspects of nanny employment.
These services typically help families with:
• Payroll setup and HMRC registration
• Monthly payslips and tax calculations
• Employment contracts and documentation
• Workplace pension setup
• Statutory payments and holiday calculations
• Ongoing payroll support
Using a specialist nanny payroll service ensures that your nanny is paid correctly and that all legal requirements as an employer are met.
Trial Days and Contracts
Before confirming a permanent position, many families choose to arrange a trial day with the nanny. This allows both the family and the nanny to ensure that the role is a good fit.
Trial days are paid directly by the family to the nanny.
Once a placement is confirmed, families should provide a written employment contract outlining working hours, duties, salary and other employment terms.
Our Role as a Nanny Agency
Nest & Kin supports families throughout the entire process of finding and employing a nanny.
Our role includes:
• Understanding your family's childcare needs
• Sourcing and vetting suitable candidates
• Verifying references and documents
• Arranging interviews and trial days
• Supporting you through the hiring process
Speak with us
If you are considering hiring a nanny and would like guidance on the process, we would be delighted to help.
📧 tamara@nestkin.co.uk
📱 07853 701735
Nest & Kin is a boutique nanny agency supporting families across London with trusted childcare and household staff.