How much holiday does a nanny get?

Every nanny is entitled to 5.6 weeks' paid holiday a year. For a full-time nanny working 5 days a week that is 28 days, which can include bank holidays. Many nanny contracts give more.

How much holiday does a part-time nanny get?

The same 5.6 weeks, pro rata. Multiply the days they work each week by 5.6. A nanny on 3 days a week gets 16.8 days a year. You can round up, but never down.

Do term-time after-school nannies get paid holiday?

Yes. A nanny who only works in term time is a part-year worker. For leave years starting on or after 1 April 2024, their holiday builds up at 12.07% of the hours they actually work in each pay period.

Can I pay holiday pay as part of the hourly rate?

For irregular-hours and part-year workers, you can choose rolled-up holiday pay: an extra 12.07% of pay added to each pay packet and shown separately on the payslip. For other nannies, holiday must be paid when it is taken.

Do nannies get bank holidays off?

There is no automatic right to bank holidays off. Whether they are taken and paid depends on the contract, and paid bank holidays can count towards the 5.6 weeks.

Can I choose when my nanny takes holiday?

Yes, within the law. The contract should say how holiday dates are agreed. An employer can require a nanny to take holiday on set dates, such as when the family goes away, by giving notice of at least twice the length of the holiday.

How is a nanny's holiday pay worked out?

At their normal rate. If hours vary week to week, holiday pay is based on average pay over the last 52 weeks they were paid.

Nanny holiday entitlement

Every nanny in the UK gets 5.6 weeks' paid holiday a year. That is 28 days for a full-time nanny, pro rata for part-time nannies, and 12.07% of hours worked for term-time after-school nannies.

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Statutory minimums, last checked 6 November 2026. Contracts can give more, never less.

Nanny holiday entitlement examples
Nanny	Paid holiday
Full-time nanny, 5 days a week	28 days a year
Part-time nanny, 3 days a week	16.8 days a year
Part-time nanny, 2 days a week	11.2 days a year
Term-time after-school nanny, 3 afternoons of 4 hours, 39 weeks	56.5 hours a year (12.07% of 468 hours worked)

Full-time and part-time nannies

A nanny on fixed days gets 5.6 times the number of days they work each week, up to 28 days. Bank holidays can be part of that, so check what the contract says. Part days count too: a nanny on 2.5 days a week gets 14 days.

Term-time and after-school nannies

An after-school nanny who only works in term time is a part-year worker. For leave years starting on or after 1 April 2024, holiday builds up at 12.07% of the hours they actually work in each pay period. You can either let them take it as paid time off, or pay rolled-up holiday pay: 12.07% on top of each pay packet, shown separately on the payslip.

When the family goes away

If you want your nanny to take holiday while you're away, the contract should say so. You can require set dates by giving notice of at least twice the length of the holiday. If you don't, and you simply don't need them that week, they are usually still paid. Our membership includes payroll, so holiday pay is worked out for you.

Common questions

How much holiday does a nanny get?: Every nanny is entitled to 5.6 weeks' paid holiday a year. For a full-time nanny working 5 days a week that is 28 days, which can include bank holidays. Many nanny contracts give more.
How much holiday does a part-time nanny get?: The same 5.6 weeks, pro rata. Multiply the days they work each week by 5.6. A nanny on 3 days a week gets 16.8 days a year. You can round up, but never down.
Do term-time after-school nannies get paid holiday?: Yes. A nanny who only works in term time is a part-year worker. For leave years starting on or after 1 April 2024, their holiday builds up at 12.07% of the hours they actually work in each pay period.
Can I pay holiday pay as part of the hourly rate?: For irregular-hours and part-year workers, you can choose rolled-up holiday pay: an extra 12.07% of pay added to each pay packet and shown separately on the payslip. For other nannies, holiday must be paid when it is taken.
Do nannies get bank holidays off?: There is no automatic right to bank holidays off. Whether they are taken and paid depends on the contract, and paid bank holidays can count towards the 5.6 weeks.
Can I choose when my nanny takes holiday?: Yes, within the law. The contract should say how holiday dates are agreed. An employer can require a nanny to take holiday on set dates, such as when the family goes away, by giving notice of at least twice the length of the holiday.
How is a nanny's holiday pay worked out?: At their normal rate. If hours vary week to week, holiday pay is based on average pay over the last 52 weeks they were paid.

Sources

Checked 6 November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice.