Hiring A Full-Time Nanny

A simple, supportive guide for parents

Let NannyEmmy Know What You’re Looking For

Tell us about your family’s needs: your schedule, what kind of support you’re looking for, your preferred experience, and budget. We’ll get to work finding the perfect nanny — handling all the background checks, reference checks, and matching you with someone we truly believe will be a great fit.

You’ll get the chance to book a paid trial shift with the nanny before making a final decision. Once you're completely happy, we charge a one-time placement fee of £200. That’s it.
-No hidden fees
-No ongoing charges
-No percentage taken from your nanny’s pay (unlike many agencies)

You decide what you pay your nanny per hour, and we’ll help you find someone that fits your budget.

Once your placement fee is paid and your nanny is chosen — they're yours! You hire them directly and if you want support in becoming an employer we’ve created a step by guide below to help you out.

Your Step-by-Step Checklist for Hiring a Nanny (Over 20 Hours a Week)

If you're hiring a nanny for more than 20 hours per week, the UK government considers you their employer. This means there are a few important legal steps you need to take. But don’t worry—NannyEmmy is here to help!

💡 Need extra support?  Payroll providers can handle a lot of this for you, including payroll, tax deductions, payslips, and HMRC compliance. They make the process stress-free and simple!

Step 1: Register as an Employer with HMRC

☐ Go to the HMRC website and register as an employer. You must do this before the nanny’s first payday.
Register as an Employer

Step 2: Set Up Payroll & Pay National Insurance & Tax

☐ Run payroll yourself or use a payroll provider to handle tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions.
☐ Ensure your nanny receives a payslip each payday.
☐ Submit Real-Time Information (RTI) reports to HMRC each payday.
Running Payroll as an Employer

Step 3: Provide a Written Contract

☐ Create a legally binding contract outlining the nanny’s hours, pay, holiday entitlement, and responsibilities.
☐ NannyEmmy provides a contract template you can use!

Step 4: Ensure Statutory Rights & Legal Obligations

☐ Pay at least the National Minimum Wage (or a higher agreed rate).
☐ Provide paid holiday (5.6 weeks per year).
☐ Allow statutory sick pay if the nanny is unwell.
☐ Provide maternity/paternity leave if applicable.
Employing Someone in Your Home

Step 5: Consider a Pension Scheme

☐ If your nanny earns over £10,000 per year, you should provide a workplace pension.
☐ Set up auto-enrolment and contribute to their pension scheme.
Workplace Pensions

Step 6: Get Employer’s Liability Insurance

☐ This is a legal requirement and protects you in case of workplace injury.
Employer’s Liability Insurance

Step 7: Agree on Working Hours & Payment Schedule

☐ Decide weekly/monthly pay and how payments will be made (bank transfer, payroll system, etc.).
☐ Discuss overtime rates and expectations.

Step 8: Keep Records & Stay Compliant

☐ Keep records of hours worked, pay, tax deductions, and holiday entitlements.
☐ Ensure all payments and deductions are correctly reported to HMRC.

💡 Need Help? We’re Here for You!

Hiring a nanny can feel like a lot, but NannyEmmy is here to support you every step of the way!  We provide guidance, contract templates, and a stress-free nanny placement service.

Want someone to handle payroll for you? Payroll providers can take care of tax calculations, payslips, pension contributions, and HMRC compliance—making your life even easier!

Let us help you find the perfect nanny—while making sure you're set up legally and correctly!