Nannies and babysitting
What are nannies?
- Nannies and other home-based childcarers are employed by parents or carers to provide care for children, usually in your home.
- They may also fit in with unusual working hours, and work part-time or even live in. Some may agree to do additional jobs around the house (cooking, tidying).
- Shared nannies work for you and another family.
- Nannies may have a recognized childcare qualification or nursery nurse training, but this isn't compulsory.
- Thousands of parents are now entitled to financial support to help pay for childcarers if they are approved through the Childcare Approval Scheme.
- Nannies are not registered with Ofsted.
What are babysitters?
Babysitters are not registered and there are no regulations to govern this type of childcare, however both the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) recommend that babysitters should be over the age of 16.
Where can I find out more?
Please contact us at the Family Information Service (FIS) for further information. We can provide you with a list of nanny and babysitting agencies.
Family Information Service
Education and Children's Services
Second Floor
Regal House
London Road
Twickenham
TW1 3QB
Telephone: 020 8831 6298
Email: fis@richmond.gov.uk
Text message: 076 2481 9000
Our hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
There is an answer phone service outside these hours.
See a map of how to get to the Family Information Service.
For further guidance go to the Directgov website here.
If you would like to find a nanny/babysitter please visit the ChildcareLink website.