How to choose a nanny agency in London
Agencies, apps and doing it yourself work very differently. Here's how each one charges, what they actually do for you, and the questions worth asking first.
| Traditional agency | Nanny app | Doing it yourself | Athlete Mannies | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How you pay | One-off placement fee | Subscription or booking fees | Advertising costs | Monthly membership, or a placement fee over 20 hours a week |
| Who finds the nanny | The agency | You search and message | You advertise and screen | Our founders match you personally |
| Interviews | Usually in person | Varies | You do them | Face to face with every carer |
| Cover when the nanny is ill | Varies | Depends who's free | None | Backup care included in membership |
| Payroll | Sometimes offered | Often included | You run it | Set up for you |
Last checked 6 November 2026.
How nanny agencies charge
Traditional London agencies usually charge a one-off placement fee once you hire, often worked out as a percentage of the nanny's annual gross salary. Apps tend to charge a subscription or booking fee and leave the searching to you. We charge a monthly membership for regular part-time cover, from £50 a month plus VAT for one day a week to £140 for six or seven, with a four-month minimum. Regular roles over 20 hours a week have a one-time placement fee of 10% of annual gross pay instead. Ad hoc and emergency days are £15–£20 plus VAT a day with no membership.
What a good agency should do
Check five things before you sign: how carers are vetted (Enhanced DBS, references, ID, Right to Work and a face-to-face interview), whether you meet candidates and have a trial before committing, what happens when your nanny is ill or leaves, who sets up payroll, and how quickly they reply when you need help.
Questions to ask a nanny at interview
How would you spend a 3pm–7pm afternoon with my children? What would you do on a rainy day? How do you handle a tantrum or an argument between siblings? What would you do if my child had an allergic reaction? Which sports and activities do you enjoy? How do you keep parents updated during the day? Could you do the school run in the morning as well?
Trial before you commit
Whoever you hire through, ask for a paid trial afternoon with your children before you agree anything. Watch how the nanny introduces themselves, plays and handles the routine, and ask your children what they thought.
Read more: Our fees in full · London nanny cost guide · Part-time nannies
Common questions
- How much do nanny agencies charge in London?
- Traditional agencies usually charge a one-off placement fee based on the nanny's annual salary. Our membership for regular part-time cover is from £50 a month plus VAT, or a one-time placement fee of 10% of annual gross pay for regular roles over 20 hours a week.
- Is a nanny agency worth it?
- An agency is worth it if you want someone else to do the searching, vetting and interviewing, and to find cover when things go wrong. An app is cheaper if you have time to do that work yourself.
- What checks should a nanny agency do?
- At a minimum: an Enhanced DBS check, references, ID and Right to Work. We also require First Aid and interview every carer face to face before they meet your family.
- How quickly can an agency find a nanny?
- It varies. We send a same-day shortlist of 2–3 carers who live near you, then arrange a trial before you commit.
- Do I still employ the nanny if I use an agency?
- Usually, yes. The agency introduces the nanny, but a nanny working in your home to your routine is normally your employee, so you run payroll. Our membership sets up payroll for you.