Becoming a Nanny

A Nanny provides childcare for children in the family’s own home. 

There are a number of different types of Nanny:

• Live-in nannies live with the family in their home
• A live-out nanny travels to the family’s house each day
• A night nanny has a special knowledge of caring for babies from new born up to 1 year. A night nanny is expected to take care of all of the baby’s needs throughout the night
• Some nannies also work with a number of families

Please note: If you want to look after children from more than 2 families at the same time in their home, you’ll need to register as a childminder instead.

Unlike Childminders, Nannies don’t need any formal qualifications; however, they do need a Paediatric First Aid qualification (which will need to be updated every 3 years), up-to-date knowledge of Safeguarding procedures, a DBS check and have a valid insurance.

Also, unlike Childminders, a Nanny doesn’t need to register with Ofsted. There is however a voluntary Ofsted registration available to Nannies.

By registering with Ofsted, the parents that the Nanny works for would be able to receive some financial contributions in the form of Tax Credits/ Childcare Vouchers (subject to eligibility).  

To register with Ofsted as a Nanny you will need:

• first aid training
• childcare training - speak to your local council
• public liability insurance
• a certificate of good character from an embassy - if you’ve lived abroad in the past 5 years
• an enhanced check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Depending on where you live, you’ll need either:

• an enhanced check with barred lists for home-based workers, if you live in the home where you work
• an enhanced check with barred lists, if you do not live in the home where you work

Ofsted will reject your application if you do not have the correct documents.

It will usually take 12 weeks to process an Ofsted application. 

Further details on Nannies can be found on the Pacey website