How to get a Job as a Nanny

Getting your first Nanny position in London can be a daunting task. Together we have identified all the things you need and best places to look for your next Nanny job.

Nurturing Little Journeys was created to support and guide you along your search and give you the confidence that the direction you are going in is the right one. This post will prepare you with the necessary certifications, qualifications, and requirements to begin rewarding role in a reputable household.

*Disclosure: We only recommend products we would use ourselves and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links, that at no additional cost to you, we may earn a small commission.

Necessary Checks and Paperwork

To start your journey as a nanny there are several different checks that you will need to provide to future employers to be able to start work which we will detail in this next section:

Right to work

The ‘Right to Work’ as a nanny in the UK is governed by specific regulations and requirements.

If you are a British or Irish Citizen you will need to be able to provide your future employer with either your Passport, birth or adoption certificate or certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British/Irish citizen.

If you are not a British or Irish Citizen you will need to obtain a work visa. There are several different types of visa depending on your circumstances. The following will determine which visa you may need:

  • your skills and qualifications
  • if you have a job offer and sponsorship
  • if you want to bring your family with you
  • what you’ll be doing – for example sporting, charitable or religious work

To find out more about your visa situation you can head to the GOV.UK website.

National Insurance

A National Insurance Number or NIN is a unique number used in the UK to track individuals’ contributions and benefits within the national insurance system.

To obtain one you will need to be at least 16 years old and residing in the UK.

The process involves applying for your National Insurance number online. For this you will need:

  • passport
  • BRP (Biometric Residency Permit)
  • Photo of yourself with your passport
  • Other identity documents on request

Your documents will be assessed online and once your identity is confirmed your National Insurance Number will be posted out to you.

DBS Check (Criminal Record)

A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check is a summary of your Criminal Record to show convictions (or lack there of). It’s required by all agencies and families before you can start your position as a Nanny.

These can be acquired through the Gov.UK website or through one of the responsible organisations. Most nanny agencies provide this service, but you still need to pay for it. The cost to process this document is around £54 pounds (as of October 2023). It takes anywhere between 2 to 6 weeks to process your DBS depending on their backlog.

To be applicable for one you need to provide:

  • Passport (photo)
  • Driving licence (full or provisional) (photo)
  • National Insurance Number
  • Addresses for the last 5 years (it’s a good idea to keep a list of these for future use)

Make sure to add yourself to the update service which costs £18 every year as this will save you having to apply (and pay the full fee) year on year.

TOP TIP: Always make sure you have a valid bank card connected to your Update Service account or it will not be updated and you will be subject to full fees.

This payment needs to made every year if you want to stay on the update service, and they are strict about missing the payment. If you don’t pay by the date they will void your DBS and you will have to pay for a DBS again. Also be aware the payments are currently linked to a bank card, not a bank account, which can cause payment issues.

When you receive confirmation of being added to the Update Service you will be given a number to access the website. Make sure to keep this number handy so you can update details and access it at any time.

The Update Service can be found here

Complete Qualifications and Certificates

Qualifications can make you more desirable to families and can increase your pay rate depending on your level and experience. They are not essential but can make you more employable.

If you have overseas qualifications you can get them certified through UK ENIC

Education Qualifications

There are several different types of Educations Qualifications that will help you to gain a role as a Nanny. Having a background in teaching as a Nanny will make you more appealing for future jobs as well as allow you to get paid more based on your qualification.

By understanding the different strategies, and developmental stages in children it will help your role as you develop and comment with your children.

Norland

Norland Nannies are highly regarded childcare professionals known their high level of training. Through Norland College, Nannies complete three full-time years of intensive early years training.

The training that you receive through Norland College equips you with specialised skills in child development, nutrition, and first aid. Norland College’s comprehensive training also includes courses in safeguarding, behaviour management, and early childhood education. This is a full university qualification and takes three years to complete.

Safeguarding and Child Protection 

Obtaining a Safeguarding certification allows you to understand the principles and practices of child protection. This training equips you with the necessary knowledge and skills to recognise signs of abuse, neglect, and potential risks, enabling you to take prompt and appropriate action in safeguarding children under your care.

There are many options online including Level 1 & 2 Safeguarding through Childcare.co.uk and Introduction to safeguarding and child protection training.

First Aid

It is essential that all Nannies and professionals working with children have a first aid certificate. This is so you are able to learn essential skills to respond promptly and effectively in the event an emergency or accident involving children. By taking the Level 3 Blended Paediatric First Aid Course (12hr) through London School of Childcare studies you will learn how to deal with choking, seizures, anaphylaxis, check for signs of breathing and how to deal with shock.

Ofsted

Ofsted is a governing body that monitors education providers in the UK. This includes Childminders and Nannies if they choose to join the voluntary list.

One of the benefits of becoming Ofsted registered is families can qualify for Tax Free Childcare, which could entitle them to £500 every three months (up to £2000 every year) to put towards to childcare costs. It can also make you look more employable to families because it requires you to meet certain criteria.

To become Ofsted registered you will need:

  • Paediatric first aid training (which needs to be renewed every 3 years)
  • Childcare training – Level 2 or above
  • Public Liability Insurance
  • An Enhanced DBS Check
  • A certificate of good character from an embassy – if you’ve lived abroad in the past 5 years, this can be found here
  • Complete an online application to join the voluntary childcare register

Processing time: approximately 12 weeks depending on the backlog

Cost: £103 and must be renewed every year

More information about Tax Free Childcare can be found here

Gain Experience and References

To secure a Nanny position, it is great to have previous experience and knowledge working with children.

To secure the knowledge needed to get a Nanny position you may look for positions such as internships, volunteer work, or babysitting.

Babysitting is a great starting position for anyone looking to transition into a Nanny role. In London there are apps such as Bubble which allow you to connect with families in need of casual childcare services, which then can be used as references for further employers . Completing the Norland College Introduction to Babysitting course can show families that you have previous knowledge and techniques that will help you provide care for their children. After babysitting for families it is a great idea to ask them to provide you with a reference to be able to take with you to interviews of future jobs.

If you are looking for other areas to be able to gain a reference why not try volunteering for local children based charities near you. This will allow you to gain experience and also have a reference for your next Nanny position.

How to decide what type of Nanny to become

Live in 

A live-in nanny is a dedicated caregiver who resides with a family in their own home to provide childcare on site. Your primary focus would be to ensure the safety, well-being, and overall development of the child under your care. This includes meal preparation, assisting with homework, and organising daily activities and routines.

Additionally, you would be involved in light household duties related to the children’s well-being, such as cooking and minimal cleaning tasks. Through your continuous presence, being live-in nanny, you would create a nurturing and supportive environment where the child’s needs are attentively met within the comfort of their own home.

Wage: £400 + depending on experience

Live out

As live-out nanny you would create a nurturing and stimulating environment for the children in your care. You would also be expected to coordinate and facilitate daily routines for the children along side their family.

As a Live out nanny you are asked to preparing nutritious and balanced meals to support the child’s growth and development. This may also include accommodating any dietary preferences or restrictions. Alongside this you may also be asked to organise and schedule the children weekly routine, including extra curricular activities, assisting with homework….

Wage: £500 + depending on experiene

How to get paid as a Nanny

In the UK you cannot be self employed as a Nanny (only as a Maternity Nurse, or a temporary cover). A lot of Nannies and families get around this by paying cash, but this is not legal. If you wish to work for a private family, they need to become registered as employers through HMRC and manage their Nanny’s tax. A lot of companies can provide this service for a fee and most nanny agencies will support families through the process of becoming an employer.

Nannytax provides a lot of information about the sign up process and families can also pay for their Payroll service.

One of the main reasons to work legally is if you run into trouble with families refusing to pay you can follow up with HMRC and usually recoup your loses. When it’s cash there is nothing they can do.

In terms of getting paid, discuss what works best for you and the family. Some families like to pay each week, others every month, but choose what works best for you. Also make sure they provide a Gross Rate (the amount before tax comes out). Nannytax has a Salary Calculator that you can work out what you will receive after tax.

You should also receive a payslip every time you get paid displaying:

  • Payments – Hourly Rate, Total Hours, Rate and the Amount Before Tax
  • Deductions – PAYE Tax, NIC, Employee Pension
  • Net Pay – Amount After Tax
  • Employee To-date Totals – Yearly Total that keeps a running record
  • Employer To-date Totals – Yearly Total that keeps a running record

Should I get Insurance?

Insurance is not essential if you don’t want to sign up with Ofsted, but it is always a good idea to get. The cost depends on who you choose to purchase it through and there are lots of different options. Just make sure they are accredited.

Some of the options include:

Where to find Nanny Jobs?

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