For families in London, finding the right nanny is one of the most consequential household appointments you will make. A nanny becomes a central, trusted presence in your children’s daily lives — and in a busy, high-profile household, the wrong hire creates problems that extend well beyond childcare.
This guide covers the full process — from defining the role to checking references and agreeing a contract — with guidance specific to London families and the UHNW market.
Step 1: Define Exactly What You Need
Nanny roles vary enormously — a well-defined brief produces a far better shortlist than a vague one. Before contacting any agency, answer these questions clearly.
Live-In or Live-Out?
Live-in nannies offer greater flexibility for early starts, late evenings and travel. Live-out arrangements suit families who value clear professional boundaries and predictable schedules.
Children’s Ages & Needs
Infant care, toddler care and school-age childcare are different disciplines. Be specific about your children’s ages and any particular needs before the search begins.
Sole Charge or Supporting Role?
Will the nanny work independently or alongside a housekeeper, governess or other household staff? This significantly affects the candidate profile.
Travel & Languages
If the family travels internationally, this must be communicated upfront. If bilingualism is a priority, decide which language and how central it is before beginning the search.
Step 2: Choose the Right Agency
For UHNW and high-profile London families, a specialist agency with genuine experience placing VIP nannies is essential. The quality of your hire depends heavily on the quality of the agency you work with.
What to look for in an agency:
The agency conducts its own in-depth interviews with every candidate — not just CV screening. All candidates are personally referenced before presentation. The agency takes time to understand your household before sending anyone. They have a proven track record with similar families and treat discretion as standard practice.
Step 3: Review Candidates Carefully
A good agency presents a shortlist of three to five candidates who genuinely fit your brief — not a volume of loosely matched profiles. When reviewing, look beyond qualifications. For a nanny role especially, character, warmth and personal fit matter enormously. The best candidate on paper is not always the best fit for your particular children.
Step 4: Interview in Your Home
Wherever possible, interview nanny candidates in your home and arrange for them to spend time with the children. A good nanny interview should cover:
Experience with the relevant age groups and any specific needs · Approach to routines, discipline and communication with parents · Experience with travel, multiple residences or sole charge · Understanding of household confidentiality and discretion · How they handle challenging situations — illness, difficult behaviour, emergencies
Step 5: Check References Thoroughly
References must be spoken, not written. Call previous employers directly — at least two, ideally three — and ask specific questions about reliability, relationship with the children, discretion, and how they handled difficult situations. Enhanced DBS checks are standard and should be current.
Step 6: Agree a Clear Contract
A nanny is an employee and requires a written contract. This should cover hours, salary, overtime arrangements, holiday entitlement, notice periods, accommodation (if live-in), travel expectations and confidentiality. Your agency should support you through this.
Begin Your Nanny Search with EED
EED places exceptional VIP nannies with private families across London, Dubai and internationally. We take a consultative approach to every placement — taking time to understand your household before recommending a candidate profile.
Live-In vs Live-Out Nanny
A detailed comparison of both arrangements — flexibility, privacy, cost and how to decide which is right for your household.
Rota Nanny Agency
For families who need uninterrupted nanny cover across multiple residences or extensive travel — the rota nanny model explained.