In our previous articles, we have highlighted that when a parent is looking to hire a Nanny, they need to first determine their family needs. Some families require a Nanny as they are away for long periods of time, and some just need a helping hand for certain hours. Through this simple distinction, you could determine then which type of Nanny you would hire, a live-in Nanny or a live-out Nanny.
In this article, we have collated the key differences, including the advantages and disadvantages between a live-in Nanny and a live-out Nanny. This will help families know what factors to consider when looking to hire a Nanny and see which type of Nanny would fit their family needs.
The difference between a live-in Nanny and a live-out Nanny is not just in the job title. Below are some of the key differences between the two types of Nannies:
Accommodation: This is the main difference between a live-in Nanny and a live-out Nanny. For live-in Nannies, they are offered to stay together with the family of their client, often having their own accommodation. But live-out Nannies, live outside the household and travel to work daily.
Flexibility: Since live-in Nannies stay within the premises of their client, they can often accommodate irregular hours schedules or unexpected situations. Some live-in Nannies offer almost a 24/7 service due to their proximity. However, live-out Nannies adhere to a fixed schedule, which highlights the boundaries between working hours and personal time.
Potential Cost Savings: There’s a big potential for cost savings when a family hires a live-in Nanny as they could save on hourly wages by providing room and board to their Nanny. While live-out Nannies are usually hired with an hourly rate, they would often earn higher compared to a live-in Nanny because they live elsewhere and need to afford that rent or mortgage. If they are going to work overtime, employers make sure to pay them extra.
Personal Privacy: Regarding privacy, sharing your personal space with another person can certainly affect the level of privacy you want to have. Both the family and the live-in Nanny will have less personal privacy when they share the same house (depending on the space available). This includes the use of the pantry, the washer and dryer, and other appliances inside the home. This is something a live-out Nanny won’t encounter since they live at home.
Responsibilities: The duties of a Nanny vary and depend on several factors. Apart from their childcare responsibilities, Nannies handle light household chores related to the children. However, live-in Nannies could have more household chores to handle as they are sharing the same accommodation with the family. If the family needs the Nanny to do other housework which is not related to childcare, they should discuss this during their interview with the Nanny. Live-out Nannies, on the other hand, might do some minimal housework which is mostly related to the children.
Schedule: You need to consider what your family needs. For example, do you require help during irregular hours or fixed times? Parents who have a hectic and erratic schedule prefer a live-in Nanny as they can stay with their children for a longer period of time as compared to a live-out Nanny who has a fixed schedule to follow. (A live-out Nanny can also provide flexibility if needed).
Accommodation: If you plan to hire a live-in Nanny, you need to ensure that you have suitable accommodation to offer. Some families offer a separate room, with or without a bathroom, while some offer a studio, depending on what is available. A non-negotiable is that the live-in Nanny must have an adequate separate space.
Budget: Hiring a Nanny comes with costs. This includes their salary, food, accommodation and other expenses like utilities and internet. With that in mind, you need to consider the average domestic childcare costs in the UK to see if hiring a Nanny is within your means. The average domestic childcare costs are subject to variation based on several factors, including but not limited to location, type of care/service, and age of the child.
Cost: In 2024, the average cost for hiring a live-in Nanny is £500 - £900 gross per week. On the other hand, a full-time live-out nanny costs £16 - £20 gross per hour. As mentioned above, There’s a potential cost saving in hiring a live-in Nanny since you are paying a daily rate as opposed to an hourly rate.
To know more about the costs for other types of Nanny services, we invite you to have a no-obligation discussion with one of our Nanny specialists.
Whether you are planning to hire a live-in Nanny or a live-out Nanny, ensure you always consider the most important factor why you need help - your children. They are at the most important stage of their lives which requires constant attention from their parents.
While a live-in Nanny or a live-out Nanny can help you take care of your children for you, nothing can replace the warm and loving care they get from their own parents. A Nanny, whether live-in or live-out, will help your family achieve balance.
