How many hours is a part-time nanny?

There's no set definition, but a part-time nanny typically works fewer than 30 hours per week. Common arrangements include school-run cover (roughly 2 to 3 hours a day), three full days a week, or mornings only. The hours are agreed between you and the nanny and written into an employment contract.

How much does a part-time nanny cost in the UK?

A part-time arrangement of around 25 hours per week typically costs between £250 and £400 per week in gross salary, according to the Coram Family and Childcare Survey 2025. Outside London, hourly gross rates generally range from around £14 to £18. In London, average gross rates are often £20 or above. Always ensure any rate agreed is at or above the National Living Wage (£12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over as of April 2026).

Do I need to pay PAYE for a part-time nanny?

Yes. When you employ a nanny - even part-time - you are their employer in the eyes of HMRC, and you must operate PAYE. This means registering as an employer, deducting income tax and employee National Insurance from your nanny's wages, paying employer's NI on top, and reporting to HMRC each pay period. Most families use a nanny payroll service to manage this.

Can a part-time nanny work for two families?

Yes - this is common. A nanny might work mornings for one family and afternoons for another, or three days for one household and two for another. Each family is a separate employer with their own contract and PAYE arrangement.

What's the difference between a part-time nanny and a nanny share?

A part-time nanny works solely for your family on reduced hours. A nanny share involves two families jointly employing the same nanny - typically to look after children from both families at the same time. In a share, each family pays a reduced rate (usually 60 to 70% of a sole-charge rate), but each is still a separate employer with their own contract and payroll obligations.

Can I use free childcare hours with a part-time nanny?

No. Government-funded childcare hours (the 15 and 30 hours entitlements available to eligible families in England) can only be used with Ofsted-registered providers - nurseries, childminders, and pre-schools. Nannies are not Ofsted registered under this scheme, so the funded hours don't apply.