How much does a nanny cost?
A nanny works in your own home and is paid by the hour or by the week rather than per child, which is why families with two or more children often find a nanny works out cheaper than nursery. Below are current live-out, live-in and overnight rates, and what pushes them up or down.
Rates last refreshed 10 August 2026
London vs UK rates
| Type | London | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Nanny (live-out) | £16.33/hr | £15.21/hr |
| Live-in nanny | £500 to £900/wk | N/A |
| Overnight nanny | £180 to £350/night | N/A |
| Maternity nurse | £220 to £400/24hrs | N/A |
Live-out nanny rates
A live-out nanny arrives in the morning and goes home at the end of the day. This is the most common arrangement in London and is charged hourly, with rates rising for extra children, sole charge of a baby, driving, cooking or overnight flexibility. Across London that works out at about £16.33/hr.
Live-in nanny rates
A live-in nanny has their own room in your home and is paid a lower cash wage because board and lodging form part of the package. It suits families needing early starts and late finishes, and is usually quoted weekly rather than hourly. Across London that works out at about £500 to £900/wk.
Overnight nanny rates
Overnight care is priced per night and splits into sleeping nights, where the nanny is on call but expected to sleep, and waking nights, where they're awake with the baby throughout. Waking nights cost noticeably more. Across London that works out at about £180 to £350/night.
Nanny share
Two families splitting one nanny is the single biggest saving available: each household typically pays around 60 to 70% of a full rate, so both save while the nanny earns more than a single-family role would pay. It works best when both families live close and want the same hours.
What you pay on top
If you employ a nanny directly you're the employer: you're responsible for PAYE, employer's National Insurance and a workplace pension, and quoted rates are usually gross. KidSitter itself never takes a commission or booking fee, the sitter keeps 100% of what you pay them.
Common questions
How much does a nanny cost per hour in London?
Live-out nannies in London are usually paid an hourly gross rate that runs above the UK average, with central boroughs at the top of the range. Rates rise with experience, the number of children and any driving, cooking or sole-charge newborn responsibilities.
Is a live-in nanny cheaper than a live-out nanny?
In cash terms, usually yes, board and lodging form part of the package, so the weekly wage is lower. Factor in the room, food and utilities before deciding it's cheaper overall.
Is a nanny cheaper than nursery?
For one child, nursery is usually cheaper. For two or more, a nanny often wins, because you pay per hour rather than per child, and there are no late-pickup penalties or separate holiday-club fees.
Do I have to pay a nanny agency fee?
Not on KidSitter. Traditional nanny agencies commonly charge several thousand pounds plus VAT to place a permanent nanny. KidSitter charges a membership to message sitters and takes no booking fee or commission.
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Nanny costs by London borough
Sources & methodology
Figures are midpoints of current advertised rates for each type of childcare, compiled from published UK childcare rate surveys and advertised London rates, then grouped by borough, zone or London-wide depending on how granular the underlying data is. Each figure is labelled with the level it comes from, so nothing here implies more precision than the data supports. Rates exclude any agency fees, KidSitter charges no booking fee or commission. Last refreshed 10 August 2026.