How Much Does a Nanny Cost? A Guide for Families
If you're considering hiring a nanny, one of the first questions you're likely to ask is: how much does a nanny cost?
There isn't one standard nanny salary in the UK. The amount you pay will depend on a number of factors, including the nanny's experience, the children's ages, the hours required, whether the position is live-in or live-out, the location and the responsibilities involved.
It's also important to remember that employing a nanny is different from paying a childcare provider for a set number of hours. As an employer, you may also need to budget for National Insurance, pension contributions, holiday pay and payroll costs.
At Nanny Scout, we help families understand the recruitment process and find childcare professionals who are a good fit for their individual requirements.
What is the average cost of a nanny in the UK?
Nanny salaries vary considerably across the UK, so it's difficult to give one figure that applies to every family.
As a general guide, families should expect an experienced nanny to command a higher salary than someone who is newer to the profession. Specialist experience, such as newborn care, special educational needs, multiple children or additional household responsibilities, can also affect the salary.
Location is another important factor. Salaries in London and parts of the South East can be higher than in other parts of the UK, while the cost and expectations associated with individual roles can vary considerably even within the same region.
Rather than focusing on a single national average, it is usually more helpful to consider the type of nanny you need and the responsibilities you are asking them to undertake.
What affects a nanny's salary?
Several factors can influence how much you should expect to pay.
Experience and qualifications
A nanny with several years of professional experience may command a higher salary than someone at the beginning of their career.
You may also pay more for a nanny with specialist qualifications or experience in areas such as:
Newborn care
Twin or multiple-birth experience
Special educational needs
Maternity nursing
Sleep support
Child development
Additional languages
Extensive sole-charge experience
The right candidate isn't necessarily the person with the longest CV.
It's about finding someone whose experience matches your family's needs.
The children's ages
Looking after a baby or newborn can require a different level of experience and responsibility from caring for older school-age children.
A family looking for a nanny with strong newborn experience, for example, may need to budget accordingly.
Number of children
Caring for two or three children will generally involve greater responsibility than caring for one child.
The ages of the children also matter. A nanny caring for a baby and two school-age children may have a very different role from someone caring for two teenagers.
Working hours
The number and pattern of hours will naturally affect the overall cost.
Some families need a traditional full-time nanny, while others need a nanny for a few days a week, before and after school, or during school holidays.
Part-time roles can sometimes be more difficult to fill because the nanny needs to find a position that fits around the rest of their working week.
Live-in or live-out
A live-in nanny lives with the family, while a live-out nanny travels to and from work.
Live-in roles can offer families additional flexibility, but there are additional considerations around accommodation, working arrangements and the overall employment package.
A live-out nanny may be more suitable for families who simply require childcare during particular hours each day.
What other costs do families need to consider?
One of the most important things to understand when budgeting for a nanny is that the nanny's salary is not the total cost of employing them.
As an employer, you may have additional responsibilities and costs.
Employer National Insurance
Depending on the nanny's earnings and circumstances, you may need to pay employer National Insurance.
For the 2026/27 tax year, the standard employer Class 1 National Insurance rate is 15% on earnings above the applicable secondary threshold. The exact amount will depend on the nanny's earnings and circumstances.
This is one reason why families should calculate the overall employment cost rather than simply looking at the nanny's advertised salary.
Workplace pension
Eligible employees may need to be automatically enrolled into a workplace pension scheme.
As an employer, you may therefore need to make pension contributions in addition to the nanny's salary.
Holiday pay
Nannies are employees when they are employed directly by a family, so statutory employment rights and holiday entitlement need to be taken into account.
Holiday arrangements should be agreed clearly as part of the employment contract.
Payroll
Employing a nanny means dealing with PAYE, tax, National Insurance and other employer responsibilities.
Many families choose to use a nanny payroll service or accountant to help manage this.
It's worth budgeting for payroll support if you don't want to manage the administration yourself.
How much does a live-in nanny cost?
Live-in nanny salaries vary depending on experience, responsibilities, working hours and the overall package.
A live-in position may appeal to families who require flexibility, particularly where children have different schedules or parents have demanding working patterns.
However, the salary is only one part of the arrangement.
Families also need to consider:
Suitable accommodation
Working hours
Time off
Holidays
Food and living arrangements
Employment responsibilities
Any additional duties
A live-in nanny should still have clearly defined working hours and appropriate time off. Living in the family home does not mean being available around the clock.
How much does a part-time nanny cost?
Part-time nanny roles can be an excellent option for families who don't require full-time childcare.
You might need a nanny for:
Two or three days a week
Mornings
Afternoons
School and nursery runs
After-school care
Certain days during the week
School holidays
The cost for a part-time nanny is generally higher due to the hours not being suitable for many people or the role being split shifts
Does location affect nanny costs?
Yes.
Nanny salaries can vary significantly depending on where you live.
London and the South East tend to have a different salary market from other parts of the country, while individual towns and regions can also vary.
For families in Berkshire, Surrey and the Cotswolds, it is worth considering the local employment market when deciding what salary to offer.
For example, a family in Windsor or Ascot may be competing for candidates in a different market from a family in a more rural Cotswolds location.
The best approach is to look at the role as a whole and consider what salary is likely to attract the type of nanny you are looking for.
Can you use Tax-Free Childcare to pay a nanny?
Some families may be able to use Tax-Free Childcare towards the cost of employing a nanny.
The scheme allows eligible families to receive a government top-up on money paid into their childcare account. For every £8 paid in, the government can add £2, subject to the scheme's limits and eligibility rules.
Tax-Free Childcare can be used for approved childcare providers, including eligible nannies and childcare provided through registered childcare agencies.
Eligibility depends on your circumstances, so families should check the current government guidance before relying on Tax-Free Childcare when calculating their budget.
Should you pay a nanny gross or net?
This is an important question when discussing a nanny's salary.
A nanny may quote either a gross salary or, in some circumstances, talk about the amount they would like to receive after deductions.
Families should make sure they understand exactly what salary is being discussed.
A gross salary is the amount before deductions such as Income Tax and employee National Insurance.
A net salary is the amount the nanny receives after deductions.
We always advertise and discuss roles using a gross salary and make sure the
employment contract clearly sets out the agreed gross salary.
If you are unsure about how this works, a nanny payroll specialist can help.
What should you budget for when employing a nanny?
Rather than asking simply:
"How much does a nanny cost?"
it's better to ask:
"What will the total cost of employing this nanny be?"
Your budget may need to include:
Nanny's gross salary
Employer National Insurance, where applicable
Employer pension contributions, where applicable
Holiday pay
Payroll costs
Recruitment or agency fees
Any agreed travel or mileage expenses
Food or accommodation considerations for live-in roles
Other agreed employment-related costs
Understanding the full cost at the beginning makes it much easier to decide what type of nanny role is realistic for your family.
Is hiring a nanny worth the cost?
For many families, the flexibility and personalised care provided by a nanny can make it a worthwhile investment.
Unlike nursery care, a nanny can care for your children in their own home and work around your family's individual routine.
This can be particularly valuable for families with:
Multiple children
Different school or nursery schedules
Early starts or late finishes
Parents with demanding careers
Newborn babies
Children who need additional support
Regular travel or changing working patterns
A nanny can also take care of school runs, children's meals, activities, homework and other aspects of the daily routine, depending on the role you agree.
The value isn't simply in the number of hours of childcare.
It's also in having someone who understands your children and becomes a
trusted part of your family's routine.
How can a nanny agency help?
Finding a nanny isn't just about finding someone who is available.
You need to consider their experience, qualifications, references, personality, availability and suitability for your family.
At Nanny Scout, we take time to understand your requirements before introducing suitable candidates.
We consider factors such as:
Your children's ages
Your required working hours
Full-time or part-time requirements
Live-in or live-out arrangements
Newborn experience
School and nursery runs
Additional household responsibilities
Your preferred childcare approach
The personality and experience you're looking for
We then help guide you through the recruitment process.
Our aim is to make finding the right nanny more straightforward and to create
a successful match between family and nanny.
Finding the right nanny isn't always about finding the cheapest option
When employing someone to care for your children, salary is naturally an important consideration.
However, choosing a nanny purely on cost can be a false economy.
The right nanny should have the experience you need, fit into your family's routine and have a personality that works well with your children.
A nanny who is reliable, experienced and genuinely suited to your family can provide enormous value over time.
That's why we believe the right match matters just as much as the salary.
Looking for a nanny?
If you're considering hiring a nanny and would like to understand what type of role and candidate might suit your family, Nanny Scout can help.
We provide personal and professional nanny recruitment across Berkshire, Surrey and the Cotswolds, including areas such as Windsor, Ascot, Reading, Cheltenham, Cirencester, Stow-on-the-Wold and surrounding areas.
We take the time to understand your family's requirements and introduce suitable candidates based on experience, availability and overall suitability.
If you're ready to start your search, get in touch with Nanny Scout to discuss your childcare requirements.
Comments