A private nanny cares for one or more children in the family’s home. The job covers meals, school runs, bath time, homework, and bedtime. In high-income homes, the nanny may travel with the family, keep routines consistent across several properties, and work alongside other household staff.
Laurine Mallet, co-founder of Morgan & Mallet, worked as a nanny in London before founding the agency.
“Living with the family means you become part of their daily life. It teaches you everything about what makes a great nanny and what families truly need,” says Laurine.
What does a private nanny do and what does a typical day look like?
The day changes with the children’s ages and the family’s needs. For younger children, it’s play, story time, and naps. For older children, it might be school pickups, clubs, sports, and homework help.
The nanny might keep the children’s rooms tidy, handle laundry, and give parents a short update at the end of the day.
Families with toddlers want nannies with enough energy to keep up with active two- and three-year-olds all day. One of Morgan & Mallet’s recruiters in Dubai says this is one of the first things parents with young children ask about.
What skills and qualifications does a private nanny need?
Experience matters more than formal qualifications. When families come to agencies, many ask for at least five years of private childcare experience.
Ellie Littlechild, a recruiter at Morgan & Mallet, spent years working as a nanny in private homes across England and the UAE before moving into recruitment. When screening candidates, she puts them through real-life scenarios.
“Travel plans can shift at the last minute. A child can fall ill an hour before a family event. Those moments show you how someone really works,” Ellie says.
First aid and CPR certification, current and from a recognized provider such as the American Red Cross or the British Red Cross. This is the one hard requirement almost every family insists on.
Strong language skills, especially English and often French.
Specialized childcare training. Montessori and Waldorf methods are common in private homes. Norland College graduates are sought after in the UK and Middle East. Practical experience using these methods matters more than the certificate alone.
A calm manner with babies. Patience, warmth, and good judgment in a busy home.
Energy and stamina for active children, especially when looking after more than one child at once.
Nannies trained to work with children who have additional needs, such as autism or developmental conditions, are in short supply. That pushes their salaries higher.
What types of private nanny roles exist?
Live-in nanny: Lives in the home with a private bedroom and bathroom. The family gets more flexibility, but both sides need to agree on rest hours and time off from the start.
Morgan Richez, co-founder of Morgan & Mallet: “Our clients are international, but our candidates are too. You have a lot of travelling butlers, travelling nannies. They can work in France and next time it will be on a yacht based in the Bahamas.”
Traveling nanny: Works with the family during trips, sometimes spending months moving between countries and homes. More families now split time between Dubai, the UK, and the US, so demand for traveling nannies keeps growing.
Rota nanny: Two nannies share the role, usually alternating weeks. Common with newborns, young children, or families with heavy travel. Only 2.36% of nannies on Morgan & Mallet’s database can handle rotational work, according to the agency’s 2025/26 placement data. That scarcity makes rota roles some of the hardest to fill.
Night nanny: Works overnight with newborns. Handles feeds, diaper changes, and sleep support so parents can rest.
What is the difference between a nanny and a governess?
A nanny focuses on care, safety, and daily routine. A governess focuses on education and etiquette. The two roles overlap more than they used to.
Families who start by asking for a nanny often end up wanting academic support as the children get older. A governess might teach a child two languages, manage their school schedule, and prepare them for boarding school interviews. Some nannies take on parts of that work too, depending on their training.
Parents hiring a governess focus on authority and structure. Parents hiring a nanny focus on warmth and energy.
How much does a private nanny earn?
Salaries depend on experience and language skills. These figures come from Morgan & Mallet International’s 2026 salary data for high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth households.
| Country | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| USA | $60,000 to $120,000 |
| UAE | AED 216,000 to AED 300,000 |
| UK | £50,000 to £80,000 |
| France | €45,000 to €60,000 |
| Monaco | €52,000 to €57,000 |
| Belgium | €45,000 to €60,000 |
| Switzerland | CHF 80,000 to CHF 120,000 |
| Saudi Arabia | SAR 250,000 to SAR 340,000 |
In the US, families hiring a nanny are considered household employers. The IRS requires employers to withhold and pay Social Security and Medicare taxes once wages pass a certain threshold, and to file a Schedule H with their annual return. State rules vary on top of that.
What are the working conditions?
Days usually start early and run long. A common schedule is 7am until 7 or 8pm.
Live-in roles give the nanny a private bedroom and bathroom. A separate entrance helps keep work hours and personal time apart.
Weekend cover depends on the family. Some use a rota. When the family sets a clear schedule with proper breaks, the role is easier to keep up long term. Problems often start when expectations are not laid out at the beginning.
Flexibility comes with the job. A family may ask for help on a Saturday for a birthday party or want an early start before a flight. Families that give notice keep their nanny longer.
Sample job description for a private nanny
Job title: Private Nanny
Location: [City. State whether travel to additional properties or international travel is required.]
Hours: Full time, typically 7am to 7pm, five days a week. Some flexibility required for early starts, weekend coverage, and family travel. [State any rota arrangement if applicable.]
Live-in / live-out: [Specify. If live-in, describe the private bedroom, bathroom, and any separate entrance.]
Salary: [Range based on experience and skills. See Morgan & Mallet’s 2026 salary data: US $60,000 to $120,000+, UK £50,000 to £80,000, UAE AED 216,000 to 300,000. Adjust for language skills, specialist training, and travel requirements.]
The role:
You manage the daily routine for [number] children aged [age range]: morning preparation, school runs, meals, homework support, activities, bath time, and bedtime. You keep the children’s schedules consistent and update parents at the end of each day.
The role may include keeping children’s rooms tidy, handling children’s laundry, preparing snacks and light meals, and traveling with the family to other homes or destinations. If the family employs other household staff, you work alongside them.
Discretion is expected. What happens inside the home stays inside the home.
What we’re looking for:
- At least five years of private childcare experience in a family home
- First aid and CPR certification, current and from a recognized provider
- Strong English. [Add French or other language requirements if applicable.]
- [Montessori / Waldorf / Norland-style training if applicable]
- A calm manner with babies, or energy and stamina for active toddlers [specify based on children’s ages]
- Confidence managing more than one child at once
- Comfortable with the family’s travel schedule [if applicable]
- Clean criminal background check and strong references from former employers
What we offer:
- [Salary range]
- [Benefits: health insurance, paid time off, travel expenses covered when working away]
- [If live-in: private bedroom, private bathroom, meals, utilities]
- Clear weekly schedule set in advance, with reasonable notice for any changes
- Three-month onboarding period with regular check-ins
If you’re not sure how to write the role for your specific situation, call our recruiters. They’ll help you get the description right before the search starts.
Looking for a private nanny position?
Morgan & Mallet places nannies in private households across the US, UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
Submit your resume through our website and browse for open nanny positions here.
Looking to hire a private nanny?
Morgan & Mallet has a candidate database of 200,000+ vetted candidates with a 96% placement success rate for nanny roles. If you’re looking to hire a nanny, you can find more information on our nanny recruitment page here.
Call us on +1 (646) 965 2308 (US) or +44 20 4578 6249 (UK), or email contact@morganmallet.agency.