👶 Live-In vs Live-Out Nannies in London: What’s Best for Your Family in 2025?
Choosing between a live-in or live-out nanny is one of the most important decisions London parents can make when hiring childcare in 2025. Beyond cost, this choice affects your family’s routine, privacy, flexibility, and—most importantly—your child’s emotional continuity. Ideally, families want to find a nanny who stays with them long term, as stability in care plays a vital role in a child’s wellbeing. But how do you know which option is right for your household? 🤔 Let’s break down the differences.
🏠 What Is a Live-In Nanny?
A live-in nanny works for a private family and lives in their home. One of the biggest advantages is flexibility. Because they don’t have to commute, they can often start earlier and finish later—perfect for families who need cover from 7am to 7pm or outside of typical working hours. ⏰
Their salary is also usually lower than that of a live-out nanny, as room and board are included as part of the overall package. However, it’s important to consider the trade-offs: offering accommodation and meals means sharing your home space, which can mean less privacy for the family.
🚪 What Is a Live-Out Nanny?
A live-out nanny also works in the family home, providing dedicated care, but returns to their own residence at the end of each working day. 🏃♀️ These nannies are ideal for families who value more personal space and privacy.
Because live-out nannies commute to work, they tend to have more fixed hours and, generally, command a higher salarythan live-in nannies. Families who need fewer hours or greater household boundaries often opt for this setup—or even hire two part-time nannies to cover longer days without compromising their own privacy.
💰 Cost Comparison (Live-in vs Live-out Nannies in London – 2025)
In 2025, the cost difference between live-in and live-out nannies in London is still significant. 💷 Live-in nannies usually accept a lower net salary in exchange for accommodation and food, making them more cost-effective for families who can offer adequate space.
On the other hand, live-out nannies require higher take-home pay to account for rent, commuting, and living costs, particularly in an expensive city like London. It's also worth noting that longer or irregular hours could increase the cost of a live-out nanny, while a live-in nanny may absorb those extra hours more flexibly.
💼 Live-In Nanny Salary in London – 2025
Net Weekly Salary (after tax): £500 – £700
Gross Annual Salary (before tax): Approximately £32,500 – £45,500
Typical Hours: 10–12 hours/day, 5 days/week
Accommodation: Provided by the family (private bedroom, often with en-suite or shared bathroom)
Other Benefits: Meals, utilities, sometimes travel or phone allowance
💡 Live-in nannies accept a lower salary because room and board are included. Families also save on childcare costs by benefiting from flexible hours.
🏡 Live-Out Nanny Salary in London – 2025
Net Hourly Rate: £16 – £17
Net Weekly Salary (after tax): £640 – £680
(Assuming 40 hours/week)
Gross Annual Salary (before tax): Approximately £33,000 – £35,000
Typical Hours: Around 40 hours/week
Accommodation: Not provided
Other Considerations: May request travel expenses if commuting far
💡 Live-out nannies usually earn more because they cover their own housing, utilities, and commuting costs — and their hours tend to be more fixed.
💡 What’s Gross vs Net Salary?
Gross Salary is the total amount the family pays before deductions like income tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions.
Net Salary (take-home pay) is what the nanny actually receives after these deductions.
🧩 Lifestyle & Privacy Considerations
👨👩👧👦 For Families
When deciding between a live-in or live-out nanny, lifestyle and privacy are key factors. A live-in nanny becomes part of your household, which can be reassuring and convenient, especially for working parents. However, it also means less personal space. 🛏️ Families with a spare room or nanny suite often find this works best.
A live-out nanny offers more privacy during evenings and weekends, which many families appreciate—but you'll need to manage handover routines and possible commuting issues.
👩🍼 For Nannies
Live-in roles offer the security of accommodation, which is attractive in London’s expensive housing market. It can help build a closer relationship with the children—but may blur personal boundaries if working hours aren't respected.
Live-out nannies enjoy independence and work-life balance, with set hours and personal space. But commuting in a busy city can cause fatigue or delays.
📋 Legal & Contractual Differences
Hiring a nanny in the UK comes with legal obligations. Parents must:
Register as employers with HMRC
Pay at least the National Minimum Wage
Provide a written contract
Contribute to National Insurance & pensions
Offer paid holiday (5.6 weeks) and sick pay
🛏️ For live-in nannies, there's an accommodation offset (approx. £9/day in 2025), which reduces how much of their pay can count toward lodging.
🕐 Most full-time nannies work 45–60 hours/week, and anything beyond that may require overtime pay. Ensuring PAYE compliance is crucial to avoid legal risk and to protect both sides.
💡 Using Elisa’s London Nannies ensures you're legally covered and ethically aligned.
👪 Which Families Typically Choose Which?
There's no universal answer, but here are some common trends:
✅ Live-in nannies are often chosen by:
Dual-career households with early/late work hours
Families with multiple children
Parents who travel or work shifts (e.g., doctors, business people, or UHNW families)
Households with enough space for a nanny suite or guest room
📝 Example: A family in Notting Hill with 3 children under 6 and full-time jobs chose a live-in nanny to help with early drop-offs, dinner, and bedtime—even when work ran late.
✅ Live-out nannies are preferred by:
Families with a standard 9–5 lifestyle
Parents who want evening privacy
Smaller flats or limited space
Those seeking clearer household/staff boundaries
📝 Example: A couple in Clapham with a 3-year-old hired a live-out nanny for 8am–6pm care. She had a short commute and offered reliable, structured support.
🤝 How Elisa’s London Nannies Helps You Decide
At Elisa’s London Nannies, we know that finding the right nanny isn’t just about experience or availability—it’s about the right fit for your lifestyle, routine, and family values. 💖
Whether you need the flexibility of a live-in nanny or the independence of a live-out role, we guide you through:
Understanding your family’s real needs
Navigating the legal side of hiring
Interviewing & selecting the best candidates
Organising trial periods and setting expectations
We offer personalised support at every stage to ensure your child receives consistent, loving care from someone who fits in seamlessly with your home.
📞 Ready to find your perfect nanny?
Let us help you find someone exceptional.
👉 Contact Elisa’s London Nannies for a free consultation and tailored recommendations.