Moving to the UK? How to Hire a Nanny in London Before You Arrive
Relocating to a new country with children is an exciting opportunity, but it also comes with plenty to organise. From finding the right home and exploring school options to coordinating an international move and preparing for a new job, there are many decisions to make before your family can begin settling into life in the UK. For parents relocating with young children, finding reliable, trustworthy childcare is often one of the biggest priorities.
Unlike moving to a different town or city, relocating internationally often means arriving without a support network. There may be no grandparents nearby, no familiar babysitters to reach out to and limited knowledge of how childcare works.
As the founder of The Nanny & Maternity Agency, and having worked as a nanny myself, I understand how important the right childcare is to family life. When speaking with parents preparing to relocate, I find that the same apprehension and questions arise time and time again. How can they trust someone they've never met in person? How does employing a nanny in the UK work? Will their children settle with someone new? And perhaps most importantly, can everything be arranged before they've even arrived?
The reassuring answer is that you don't need to wait until you're living in London to begin finding a nanny. In this guide, I'll walk you through the process, explain what international families should consider and share some of the advice I give to parents planning to hire a nanny in London.
Can You Hire a Nanny in London Before Moving to the UK?
Yes! You can begin the nanny recruitment process while still living abroad, and in many cases, doing so is a sensible decision. Families relocating from countries such as the United States, the UAE, Singapore and across Europe may already be accustomed to having private childcare. Others may be considering employing a nanny for the first time because of the demands of their relocation. Either way, much of the recruitment process can take place remotely.
Initial consultations, candidate introductions, interviews and reference checks can all be arranged before you travel. Video interviews allow parents to speak directly with prospective nannies, discuss their experience and begin assessing whether they would be a suitable addition to the household. Where possible, an in-person meeting or paid trial can then be arranged closer to the family's arrival.
One thing I often explain to relocating parents is that you don't necessarily need to have every detail of your move confirmed before starting your childcare search. Even if you're still finalising your London address or waiting for a confirmed school place, an initial conversation can help establish what type of childcare you're likely to need, what it may cost and how far in advance you should begin looking.
Why Finding Childcare Can Be More Complicated for International Families
Something I've noticed when discussing childcare with relocating families is that many parents are simultaneously making several decisions that affect one another. You might be choosing an area based on your preferred school, arranging your working hours around an unfamiliar commute or moving into temporary accommodation while waiting for your permanent home. These decisions can all influence the type of nanny you need. For example, a family relocating to Hampstead with two school-aged children may need an experienced nanny who can manage school collections, oversee homework, prepare children's meals and organise activities.
Another family moving to Kensington with a newborn may require full-time support from an experienced baby nanny or maternity nurse. A household with two parents working demanding professional roles may need longer hours, flexibility around international travel or occasional overnight care. There isn't one type of nanny who will suit every relocating family.
As someone who has worked directly with children and families, I believe that understanding the household's routine, expectations and parenting approach is just as important as reviewing a nanny's qualifications. This becomes even more important when the family is also adapting to a new country.
What Type of Nanny Should You Hire in London?
Before beginning your search, it's helpful to understand the different childcare arrangements available in the UK.
Live-Out Nanny
A live-out nanny travels to your home for their agreed working hours and returns to their own home afterwards. This is a popular option for families who require consistent childcare but prefer to maintain their household privacy outside working hours. A live-out nanny might work full-time, part-time or around school hours, depending on your requirements.
One consideration for families unfamiliar with London is the commute. The city's size and transport network mean that a journey which looks relatively short on a map can take considerably longer in practice. Your eventual location can therefore have a significant influence on which candidates are realistically available.
Live-In Nanny
A live-in nanny resides in your family home, usually with their own private bedroom and appropriate living arrangements. For international families who are accustomed to live-in household staff, this may feel like a familiar arrangement.
However, it's important to understand that employing a live-in nanny in the UK comes with employment responsibilities, agreed working hours and appropriate rest arrangements. Living in the family home does not mean that a nanny is available to work at all times. Live-in arrangements can be particularly suitable for families with demanding schedules, provided expectations and boundaries are clearly established.
Temporary or Transitional Nanny
Not every relocating family needs to commit to permanent childcare immediately. Sometimes, the most practical arrangement is to employ a temporary nanny for the first few weeks while your family settles into London. This can be especially helpful if you're staying in temporary accommodation, waiting for children to begin school or still establishing your new routine. At The Nanny & Maternity Agency, we can also support families requiring temporary childcare during their relocation, depending on availability.
Maternity Nurse or Newborn Nanny
For families relocating during pregnancy or with a young baby, more specialised support may be appropriate. An experienced maternity nurse can assist with newborn care, feeding, establishing routines and supporting parents during the early weeks. Moving internationally with a newborn can be particularly demanding, and having experienced professional support can make an enormous difference to how confidently a family settles into their new home.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Nanny in London?
This is understandably one of the first questions parents want answered. Nanny salaries in London vary considerably, depending on experience, qualifications, working hours, responsibilities and whether the position is live-in or live-out.
A highly experienced nanny caring for several children, managing long working days or travelling internationally with a family may require a higher salary than someone working a straightforward part-time schedule. However, there is an important distinction that parents relocating from overseas should understand: Your nanny's salary is not necessarily your total employment cost.
When budgeting for a nanny in the UK, you may need to account for more than the agreed salary. This can include employer National Insurance contributions, pension contributions where applicable, payroll administration, employers' liability insurance, statutory employment entitlements and any recruitment agency fees.
The way nannies are paid and employed may be different from the arrangements you're familiar with in your home country. For families who have previously employed household staff internationally, I would always recommend understanding UK employment costs before agreeing to a salary. A specialist nanny payroll provider can help you calculate the expected total cost and manage your ongoing obligations. A good nanny agency should be able to explain these costs to you.
How to Find and Interview a Nanny While Living Abroad
Finding a nanny remotely is entirely possible, but one concern that comes up in conversations with relocating parents is how they can make such an important decision without having met the candidate face-to-face. It's a reasonable concern. After all, you're you're choosing a person who will be spending significant time with your children, often in your home and without you present.
I would recommend approaching the process in the following stages.
1. Establish Your Family's Requirements
Before contacting candidates, think carefully about the childcare arrangement you need. Consider your children's ages, expected working hours, preferred start date, specific responsibilities, languages spoken at home and any particular experience you're looking for.
It is also helpful to think about your parenting approach and the qualities you value most in someone caring for your children. Do you prefer a nanny who is particularly confident with newborns? Someone who enjoys planning creative activities? A calm and nurturing personality? Someone experienced with supporting children through significant transitions? These details can be just as important as years of experience or qualifications.
2. Begin Shortlisting Suitable Nannies
Whether you're recruiting independently or using an agency, avoid selecting candidates based solely on a photograph or a well-written CV. Experience, qualifications, employment history and relevant references all matter, but so does suitability for your individual household. A nanny who has been excellent for one family may not necessarily be the right fit for another. This is one of the reasons I place so much importance on understanding both the nanny and the family before recommending a potential match.
3. Arrange Video Interviews
Video interviews are particularly valuable for international families. They allow you to discuss the nanny's experience, ask questions about childcare situations and get a sense of their personality and communication style. I would recommend asking open-ended questions rather than those that can be answered with a yes or no. For example, ask how the nanny would support a child who is finding the move to a new country upsetting, or how they would approach settling into a household with unfamiliar routines.
You may also wish to arrange a second conversation involving your children, where appropriate, so they have an opportunity to begin becoming familiar with the prospective nanny.
4. Complete Appropriate Background and Reference Checks
Safeguarding and thorough vetting should never be overlooked. Before a nanny begins work, appropriate checks should include identity verification, confirmation of their right to work in the UK, relevant DBS checks, employment references and suitable childcare qualifications or training where required. Paediatric first aid training is also something I strongly recommend.
At The Nanny & Maternity Agency, careful candidate vetting and reference verification form an important part of our recruitment process.
5. Arrange a Trial or Settling-In Period
Where possible, I would recommend allowing time for the nanny and children to get to know one another before the parents return to work or the nanny assumes full responsibility. A paid trial can give everyone an opportunity to see how the arrangement works in practice. For international families, this may mean arranging a trial shortly after arriving in London. I understand that this isn't always possible, particularly when parents are starting new jobs immediately, but building some flexibility into the first few days can be extremely helpful.
Will My Children Struggle to Adjust to a New Nanny After Moving Countries?
This is an area that I feel deserves much more attention. When parents are organising an international relocation, the focus naturally tends to be on practical matters, such as housing, schools, employment, transport and childcare. But moving countries can also be a significant emotional transition for children. They may be leaving behind familiar friends, relatives, teachers, surroundings and routines. For younger children, they might not fully understand why everything around them is changing. Introducing a new nanny during this period adds another unfamiliar person to their lives. This doesn't mean that hiring a nanny is a bad idea. In fact, the right nanny can become an incredibly valuable source of consistency and reassurance.
From my experience working as a nanny, I've seen how much children benefit from predictable routines, patient communication and trusted relationships with their caregivers. For a relocating family, I would encourage parents to involve their children in the process where appropriate. You might show them photographs of their new nanny, arrange a short video introduction before arriving or talk positively about the activities they'll enjoy together.
Once in London, allowing the nanny time to learn your child's personality, preferences and existing routines can help build a trusting relationship. It's also worth remembering that children respond differently to change. Some settle almost immediately, while others may need considerably more time and reassurance. An experienced nanny should be able to recognise this and adapt their approach accordingly.
Understanding Your Responsibilities as a Nanny Employer in the UK
Something that can surprise international families is that hiring a nanny in the UK will usually make the parents the nanny's employer, even if they found the nanny through a recruitment agency. This comes with legal and administrative responsibilities. Depending on the employment arrangement, these include:
Checking the nanny's right to work in the UK.
Providing a compliant employment contract and payslips.
Registering as an employer and operating PAYE where required.
Paying employer National Insurance and workplace pension contributions where applicable.
Providing statutory holiday and other employment entitlements.
Arranging employers' liability insurance.
Complying with applicable employment and working-time rules.
You do not necessarily need to manage every administrative task yourself. Many families choose to use a nanny payroll provider, and a good nanny agency will be able to advise and support you on how to carry out these duties and which companies to use.
For parents relocating from countries with different employment arrangements, understanding these responsibilities early can prevent unexpected costs or complications. You can read more in the UK Government's guidance on employing someone in your home.
Can You Bring Your Existing Nanny to London Instead?
For some families, particularly those relocating from countries where they already employ a live-in nanny, the first preference may be to bring their existing childcare professional. This is understandable. Your children may already have a strong relationship with their nanny, and maintaining that consistency during a major relocation can feel ideal. However, bringing an existing nanny to the UK is not always straightforward.
The UK's immigration rules for domestic workers are specific. For example, the Overseas Domestic Worker visa is generally intended for eligible workers accompanying employers on temporary visits of up to six months, rather than providing a route for permanent relocation. You should not assume that your nanny will automatically be permitted to move to the UK and continue working for your family.
If you are considering this option, it is important to obtain advice from a suitably regulated immigration professional. You can also review the UK Government's Overseas Domestic Worker visa guidance.
Where bringing an existing nanny is not possible, recruiting a childcare professional who already has the right to work in the UK may be the more practical solution.
When Should You Start Looking for a Nanny Before Moving to London?
My advice would be to begin planning as early as reasonably possible. If your move is several months away, this is an excellent opportunity to research the UK childcare market, understand your budget and explore the type of arrangement that will suit your family. Families requiring particularly experienced nannies, multilingual childcare, unusual working hours or more specialised support may benefit from allowing additional recruitment time.
However, the ideal timetable depends on your circumstances and the availability of suitable candidates. A very early search can also present challenges, as some nannies may be looking for work sooner than your planned arrival date. This is where a structured recruitment strategy can be helpful. You can begin discussing your needs well in advance, then time active shortlisting and interviews around your expected start date. If your relocation is happening at short notice, temporary childcare may also provide an interim solution while you search for someone suitable long term.
Should You Use a Nanny Agency When Relocating to London?
Not every family needs a nanny agency. Some parents are perfectly comfortable managing recruitment independently, particularly if they already understand UK employment practices and have the time to interview candidates and complete the necessary checks.
However, for families relocating internationally, there are additional challenges to consider. You're trying to navigate an unfamiliar childcare market, often across different time zones, whilst also organising almost every other aspect of your family's move. You may not know which qualifications to look for, what salary is appropriate, how to verify references or which questions are most important during interviews.
And perhaps you simply don't have the time to spend weeks advertising positions, screening applications and following up with potential candidates. This is where an experienced nanny recruitment agency can be particularly helpful. A good agency should do more than just send you a selection of CVs. It should take the time to understand your family, help clarify your requirements, provide realistic guidance and identify candidates who are genuinely suitable for the position. For relocating parents, having a UK-based point of contact who understands the childcare market can be very reassuring.
At The Nanny & Maternity Agency, our approach is intentionally personal. Having worked as a nanny myself, I understand that a successful placement is about compatibility, communication, expectations and building a relationship that works for both the family and the childcare professional. We support international families with remote consultations, tailored nanny recruitment, candidate vetting and guidance throughout the placement process.
Our support can also extend to temporary childcare, maternity support and the practical considerations of arranging childcare during relocation. For permanent placements, we also offer a 12-month replacement guarantee, giving families additional reassurance if circumstances change.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring a Nanny Before Moving to London
Can I hire a nanny without having a UK address yet?
Yes, you can begin discussing your requirements and interviewing candidates before your address is confirmed. However, knowing your intended neighbourhood will make it easier to assess candidates' commuting arrangements and availability.
Can a nanny start working as soon as we arrive in London?
Potentially, yes. If recruitment, checks and employment arrangements are completed in time, a nanny may be able to begin shortly after your arrival. However, candidate availability and your recruitment timeline will affect what is possible.
Can I interview several nannies from overseas?
Absolutely. Video interviews are a practical way to meet shortlisted candidates before arriving. You can arrange further conversations or an in-person trial when appropriate.
Do I need to speak to a nanny agency in person?
No. Initial consultations and much of the recruitment process can be managed remotely through video calls, telephone conversations and email.
Can I find a nanny who speaks my child's native language?
Depending on candidate availability, it may be possible to recruit a bilingual or multilingual nanny. For families relocating internationally, maintaining a familiar language can be particularly comforting for children during the transition.
What if we need childcare temporarily before finding a permanent nanny?
Temporary nanny placements can be a useful option while your family settles into its new home or finalises longer-term childcare plans.
What if the nanny we hire isn't the right fit?
This will depend on your recruitment arrangements, employment contract and any agency replacement policy. It's always worth understanding these provisions before making a permanent placement.
Final Thoughts: Making Your Move to London Easier for the Whole Family
Relocating internationally with children is a major undertaking, and it's completely understandable to feel uncertain about arranging childcare in a country you may not yet know well. One of the things I always try to emphasise when discussing nanny recruitment with parents is that there is no single perfect arrangement for every family.
Some families need a full-time nanny from the moment they arrive. Others benefit from temporary support while they settle in. Some require flexibility around demanding careers, while others simply want an experienced, reassuring presence for their children during an unfamiliar transition. Whatever your circumstances, taking the time to find someone who genuinely fits your household is important.
My biggest piece of advice? Don't leave childcare until the very last minute, but don't rush into choosing someone simply because your moving date is approaching.
The right nanny can provide far more than practical childcare. They can offer familiarity, stability and reassurance at a time when so much else in your children's lives is changing. And for parents managing a new home, a new country and perhaps a demanding new job, knowing that their children are safe, happy and well cared for can make an enormous difference.
Relocating to London with Children? We're Here to Help.
At The Nanny & Maternity Agency, we understand that finding trusted childcare is an important part of settling into a new country.
Whether you're relocating from the United States, the UAE, Europe or elsewhere in the world, we can help you explore suitable childcare arrangements and begin planning your nanny search before you arrive.
From long-term nanny placements and maternity support to temporary childcare during your transition, our personalised approach is designed around your family's individual requirements. You don't need to have everything figured out before contacting us.
If you're still finalising your relocation date, exploring London neighbourhoods or simply trying to understand your options, we're happy to discuss your circumstances and help you consider the next steps.
Not quite ready to begin recruitment? You can also download our complimentary UK Family Relocation Pack, which includes practical advice on childcare, schooling and planning your move.
Written by Carla Avery, Founder of The Nanny & Maternity Agency and an experienced professional nanny.
WhatsApp: +44 (0) 7353781271
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