Finding the right childcare professional starts with understanding the market. Salaries can vary considerably depending on experience, location, working hours and the overall demands of a role, so having a clear idea of what to expect can make the recruitment process much easier.
Whether you are employing a nanny for the first time, welcoming a new baby or reviewing the salary of an existing member of staff, understanding the current childcare market is an important part of making the right decision.
Nanny salaries have continued to rise, particularly in London, where experienced professional nannies and maternity practitioners remain in strong demand.
There is, however, no single salary that applies to every position. Hours, location, qualifications, the ages and number of children, travel, flexibility and the level of responsibility involved can all have a significant impact on salary.
At Mayfair Nannies, we advise families on appropriate salary levels when recruiting professional childcare. The figures in this guide reflect current advertised salaries across the London nanny market, together with our own experience of recruiting for private families.
London Daily Nanny Salaries
Daily nannies, also referred to as live-out nannies, remain one of the most commonly employed types of nanny in London.
In 2026, an experienced London nanny can typically expect:
£22–£27+ gross per hour
For particularly experienced candidates working in areas such as Mayfair, Chelsea, Kensington, Notting Hill, Holland Park and St John’s Wood, rates of:
£25–£30+ gross per hour
are increasingly common at the top end of the market.
A full-time London nanny working approximately 45–55 hours each week will therefore often earn somewhere in the region of:
£50,000–£70,000+ gross per annum
depending on their hours and level of experience.
Some highly experienced career nannies, particularly those working within HNW or UHNW households, may command salaries above this level.
Unlike many other professions, daily nanny salaries in London are still frequently negotiated as an hourly gross rate rather than an annual salary. This allows for greater clarity where families require longer days, additional babysitting or occasional overtime.
London Live-in Nanny Salaries
Live-in salaries are generally slightly lower than equivalent live-out salaries because suitable accommodation is provided as part of the employment package.
In 2026, a professional London live-in nanny will typically earn:
£45,000–£60,000+ gross per annum
For more demanding positions involving extensive travel, longer working days, multiple young children or significant flexibility, salaries can rise to:
£60,000–£75,000+ gross per annum
Accommodation should be appropriate and private, usually consisting of a separate bedroom and ideally a private bathroom.
Families should remember that providing accommodation does not remove the nanny’s entitlement to a professional salary, defined working hours, paid holiday and appropriate time off.
Maternity Practitioner Rates in 2026
Maternity practitioners provide specialist support during the newborn stage, often joining a family shortly before or immediately following the birth of a baby.
Unlike a permanent nanny position, maternity bookings are generally temporary and may last anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
A maternity practitioner can support families with newborn care, feeding, settling, establishing gentle routines, sleep guidance and helping parents gain confidence during the early weeks and months with their baby.
Daily and Night Maternity Practitioners
For daily or overnight maternity support in London, families should typically budget:
£20–£25+ per hour
Highly experienced practitioners, twin specialists or those undertaking particularly demanding bookings may command:
£25–£30+ per hour
Night bookings are commonly structured as 10- or 12-hour shifts.
24-Hour Maternity Practitioners
For an experienced maternity practitioner providing 24-hour support, current London rates generally sit around:
£300–£450+ per 24 hours
Within Central and West London, experienced practitioners with extensive newborn, VIP or UHNW household experience are increasingly commanding:
£350–£450+ per 24 hours
Specialist bookings involving newborn twins, international travel, rota working or particularly demanding schedules can exceed this level considerably.
For 24-hour maternity bookings, it is usual for the practitioner to have a protected break of around four hours within each 24-hour period. This is often taken during the morning, although maternity practitioners can usually be flexible depending on the family’s routine and the needs of the baby.
Rota Maternity Practitioners
Rota maternity bookings are less common but attract premium rates due to the intensive nature of the work.
For experienced rota maternity practitioners, particularly those caring for twins or travelling internationally, rates may range from:
£400–£700+ per 24 hours
These figures represent specialist and premium positions rather than the average maternity booking.
How Maternity Practitioner Bookings Work
Many maternity practitioners work on a self-employed basis and will provide the family with their own contract for services, setting out the agreed dates, working hours, rate, payment schedule, cancellation terms and other conditions of the booking.
Once the dates, hours and rate have been agreed, a booking deposit or retainer is normally required to secure the practitioner and reserve the agreed period exclusively for the family.
The exact amount will depend on the individual practitioner and the length of the booking, although a deposit of around 25% of the total booking value is commonly used for longer engagements.
The deposit will usually form part of the overall fee, with the remaining balance paid according to the payment schedule set out in the practitioner’s contract.
As practitioners may reserve several consecutive weeks or months for one family, and turn down other work during that period, deposits and cancellation terms are an important part of maternity bookings.
Families should always review the practitioner’s individual contract before confirming the booking.
Where a maternity practitioner is travelling with a family, all work-related travel, transfers and accommodation should be arranged and paid for by the family. The practitioner should not be expected to personally fund flights, trains, taxis, transfers or accommodation required in connection with the booking.
From Maternity Care to a Permanent Nanny
A family’s childcare requirements often evolve quickly during the first year.
A maternity practitioner may initially provide specialist newborn support before the family transitions to a permanent nanny as their baby grows, parents return to work or the household settles into a more established routine.
Planning this transition early can provide valuable continuity for both parents and baby.
At Mayfair Nannies, we can assist families throughout both stages, initially sourcing an experienced maternity practitioner and, when the time is right, helping to recruit a permanent nanny for the next chapter of family life.
Rota Nanny Salaries in 2026
Rota nanny positions continue to attract some of the highest salaries within private childcare.
A rota nanny generally works an intensive period, commonly seven or fourteen days, followed by an equivalent period completely off duty.
Typical schedules include:
7 days on / 7 days off
or
14 days on / 14 days off
During the working rotation, nannies may provide 24-hour cover and frequently travel internationally with the family.
In London, experienced rota nannies are currently commanding approximately:
£65,000–£85,000+ gross per annum
More demanding international or UHNW positions may exceed this considerably.
A rota nanny is employed on an annual salary paid throughout the year, including their scheduled periods off rotation.
A 7-on/7-off arrangement does not mean the nanny is paid for only half of the year. The agreed annual salary is paid throughout the full year and reflects the intensive working periods, flexibility and ongoing commitment required by the position.
All work-related travel and transfers are the responsibility of the family.
The nanny should not be expected to personally pay for flights, trains, taxis, airport transfers or other transport required in connection with their employment.
When travelling with the family, all appropriate accommodation and reasonable work-related expenses should also be provided.
Rota nannies are classed as shift workers for holiday purposes and continue to accrue statutory paid annual leave in the same way as other employees. This is sometimes misunderstood because a rota nanny may already have substantial periods away from work as part of their normal schedule. Those off-rotation periods are not annual leave. Holiday should be taken from days or shifts that the nanny would otherwise have been scheduled to work. Employers cannot normally replace statutory annual leave with additional payment while the nanny remains employed; payment in lieu of untaken statutory holiday is generally only permitted when employment ends.
International and Travelling Nanny Salaries
International nanny salaries can vary considerably depending on the country, schedule and amount of travel involved.
As a general guide, experienced international or travelling nannies may earn:
£60,000–£90,000+ gross per annum
Highly experienced rota nannies, bilingual nannies, governesses and candidates working within UHNW households can command salaries significantly above this.
Families employing internationally should also cover all work-related travel, accommodation and transfers required by the position.
Part-time Nanny Salaries
Part-time nanny salaries can sometimes be slightly higher on an hourly basis than equivalent full-time roles.
In London, professional part-time nanny rates during 2026 are typically:
£22–£27+ gross per hour
Shorter after-school positions or roles requiring particularly awkward hours may need to pay towards the top of this range in order to attract experienced candidates.
Families should be aware that a three-hour afternoon position may not be attractive to a professional nanny simply because the hourly rate is competitive. The nanny must also be able to earn a sustainable overall income.
What Influences a Nanny’s Salary?
There are several factors that can increase the salary required for a nanny position.
These include:
- extensive professional nanny experience
- recognised childcare or teaching qualifications
- newborn or baby experience
- caring for several children
- twins or multiples
- frequent international travel
- proxy parenting
- overnight responsibility
- rota or 24-hour cover
- additional languages
- SEN experience
- driving requirements
- household or PA responsibilities
- unusual or changing schedules
- very long working days
A straightforward sole-charge nanny role with predictable hours will naturally sit at a different salary level to a position requiring international travel, complete flexibility and regular overnight responsibility.
Gross Salary Versus Net Salary
Mayfair Nannies strongly recommends agreeing nanny salaries in gross terms.
Historically, nanny salaries were frequently negotiated as a net figure. This can create difficulties for employers because an individual nanny’s tax circumstances may change.
Agreeing a gross salary gives both employer and employee clarity over the true cost of employment.
Families employing permanent nannies should also budget for costs in addition to gross salary, including employer National Insurance, workplace pension contributions, payroll administration, expenses and mileage where applicable.
Our 2026 Childcare Salary Guide
London Daily Nannies
Daily / Live-out Nanny
£22–£27+ gross per hour
Experienced Central & West London Daily Nanny
£25–£30+ gross per hour
Full-time Daily Nanny
Approximately £50,000–£70,000+ gross per annum
London Live-in Nannies
Live-in Nanny
£45,000–£60,000+ gross per annum
High-end Live-in / Travelling Nanny
£60,000–£75,000+ gross per annum
Maternity Practitioners
Daily / Night Maternity Practitioner
£20–£25+ per hour
Experienced / Specialist Maternity Practitioner
£25–£30+ per hour
24-hour Maternity Practitioner
£300–£450+ per 24 hours
Premium / VIP 24-hour Maternity Practitioner
£350–£450+ per 24 hours
Rota / Twins / Specialist Maternity Practitioner
Approximately £400–£700+ per 24 hours
Rota and International Nannies
Rota Nanny
£65,000–£85,000+ gross per annum
International / Travelling Nanny
Approximately £60,000–£90,000+ gross per annum
International Rota / Specialist Nanny
£70,000–£100,000+ depending upon schedule, location and requirements
These figures should be viewed as a guide rather than a fixed salary scale. Each position should be considered individually.
Finding the Right Childcare Professional
Salary is only one element of attracting and retaining an excellent childcare professional.
Clearly defined working hours, realistic responsibilities, appropriate time off and a respectful working relationship are equally important.
At Mayfair Nannies, we advise families on current market salaries as part of the recruitment process and provide guidance based on the individual requirements of each position.Whether you require specialist support following the arrival of a new baby, a permanent nanny as your family grows, or an experienced rota nanny to support an international lifestyle, our approach remains personal, discreet and carefully tailored to your family.Our role is not simply to find someone who is available. It is to find the right professional for your family, both now and as your childcare needs evolve.
