How to become a nanny and au pairs
Official title: Nannies and au pairs
Also called: Au pair, Private nanny, Children's nanny
Nannies and au pairs care for and supervise babies and young children in the homes of the children's families.
Main tasks
- Cares for children and babies and participates in their daily activities
- Assists children to wash and dress
- Changes babies’ nappies and clothes as necessary and makes up bottles for feeds
- Mends, washes and irons children’s clothes and tidies their rooms
- Organises activities and opportunities to socialise with other children
- Takes children to school and other appointments
- Helps develop child's learning, such as basic social skills
How to become one
Entry does not depend upon academic qualifications but a qualification in childcare and/or relevant experience may be useful. NVQs/SVQs in Child Care and Education are available at levels 2 and 3. A minimum age limit of 18 years applies, and a DBS check is mandatory. Nannies are not required to register with Ofsted but can become a part of the Voluntary Ofsted Childcare Register.
Pay · Outlook
- Median full-time pay: £38,447 a year The middle half earn £24,628 to null.
- About 28,400 people work in this job now, and about 31,100 are projected by 2035. (+9.6%)
Related jobs
- Early education and childcare assistants
- Teaching assistants
- Educational support assistants
- Childminders
- Playworkers
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Questions people ask
How do I become a nanny and au pairs?
Entry does not depend upon academic qualifications but a qualification in childcare and/or relevant experience may be useful. NVQs/SVQs in Child Care and Education are available at levels 2 and 3. A minimum age limit of 18 years applies, and a DBS check is mandatory. Nannies are not required to register with Ofsted but can become a part of the Voluntary Ofsted Childcare Register.
How much does a nanny and au pairs earn in the UK?
Median full-time pay is £38,447 a year (Office for National Statistics).
Is a nanny and au pairs a growing career in the UK?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 10% by 2035, from about 28,400 to about 31,100 people (Department for Education).
Do you need a degree to become a nanny and au pairs?
Not always. 25% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03