Ever wondered what type of nanny job would suit your lifestyle, personality, and goals? With so many different nanny roles out there (from live-in and travel positions to daily and VIP jobs) it can feel a bit overwhelming.
When I first transitioned from teaching into private childcare, I had no idea just how varied the world of nannying could be. To begin with I became a governess and did this for several years. It’s only in more recent years that I have transitioned into more of a nanny role. This experience has enabled me to see just how important it is to find a role that not only fits your experience, but also your lifestyle, values, and personal goals.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the most popular types of nanny jobs, who they’re best suited for, and the pros and cons of each. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to move into a more specialist role, this guide will help you make a confident and informed choice.
1. What Is a Live-In Nanny? Pros, Cons, and Who It’s Best For
A live-in nanny is someone who lives in the family’s home and provides full or part-time care for their children. This role typically comes with set working hours, but the lines between work and personal time can sometimes blur. Knowing that you are there anyway, parents may arrive back from work later than usual and so your ‘finishing time’ might vary from day to day.
In return for their care and support, live-in nannies are usually provided with:
- a private bedroom (and sometimes a separate bathroom or living area),
- sometimes a separate apartment nearby
- all meals included
- no bills to pay
- use of a ‘nanny car’ whilst on duty
Who Are These Roles Best For?
This type of nanny job is ideal for nannies who are relocating for work, or anyone looking to save on housing costs. They often suit younger nannies just starting out who have no dependents or local ties. These roles often requires a high level of flexibility and commitment.
Let’s look at the pros:
- Accommodation and meals are included, so you can save your salary
- No commuting
- Often a closer bond with the children and family.
And the cons:
- Less personal space and privacy,
- Blurred boundaries around working hours
- Need for clear communication around time off and expectations.
2. What Is a Daily (Live-Out) Nanny? Pros, Cons, and Who It’s Best For
A daily or live-out nanny travels to the family’s home each day to provide childcare during agreed hours. You then return to your own home at the end of the day or shift. This nanny role offers a clearer distinction between work and personal life. So if you want to feel as though your working day is more of a regular go to work, then go home, this may suit you more. If you’re the kind of person who values their routine and boundaries, this might suit you better than the live in option.
Unlike live-in roles, where accommodation is provided within the family home or separate annexe, daily, live out nannies will need to live within a reasonable commuting distance. Even in a city like London with an excellent public transport network, it is wise to live where you have several options. For example, during my live out roles, I chose to live in areas that had two tube line options close by as well as a couple of bus routes, just in case one was down or delayed first thing in the morning. Factoring in travel time and cost, is a must. You are likely to be responsible for the school run, so being late isn’t an option. You will be expected to arrive on time, ready to start the day and maintain a high level of professionalism, while being part of the family dynamic.
In most daily nanny roles, you’ll be responsible for:
- Providing a consistent daily routine for the children
- School or nursery drop-offs and pickups
- Preparing meals, planning activities, and keeping the children engaged
- Light nursery duties (laundry, tidying toys, etc.)
Who Are These Roles Best For?
Daily nanny roles are ideal for those who already live local to their place of work or have personal commitments outside of work. You may have older children of your own, a partner or you may want to study in evening classes. They’re especially well-suited to nannies who prefer structure, predictability and the ability to “switch off” at the end of the working day.
Let’s look at the pros:
- Clear separation between work and home life
- More control over your personal time
- Easier to set and maintain professional boundaries
And the cons:
- Daily commuting can be tiring and costly
- Less likely to build the same deep bond as in a live-in role
- Not always available in rural or high-demand areas (families may prefer live-in for flexibility)
3. What Is a Travel Nanny? Pros, Cons, and Who It’s Best For
A travel nanny is a nanny who accompanies families on holidays. These could be short business trips or extended stays abroad. Your main role is to provide consistent, high-quality care for the children in unfamiliar or fast-changing environments. Travel nannies are employed to give parents the flexibility to enjoy their trip, attend events or focus on work. In fact a travel nanny was my first ever role. The family had asked the agency for a qualified teacher as their daughters had been given a substantial amount of homework to complete and they knew that they were going to be busy attending meetings and events. I had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed my first taste of nannying.
Travel nanny positions can vary greatly. For some families who ski over the Christmas period, may choose to take a travel nanny whilst their regular nanny enjoys their annual leave. Or it may even be a family who doesn’t usually employ a nanny but maybe one of their children is too young to enjoy the slopes and so they take a travel nanny with them to look after their youngest child, whilst the rest of the family ski.
If you’re curious what it’s really like to work with high-net-worth families while travelling the world, read my post about private governess life and luxury travel. It shares real stories from my own experience working with families abroad and offers an inside look at this exciting career path.
As it’s quite normal for the UHNW families to own and live in several homes around the world, sometimes travel nannies are required for several weeks or even months at a time. In such nanny roles, flexibility is key, as plans often change last-minute and your working hours may extend beyond the typical nanny day.
Common responsibilities include:
- Keeping routines as consistent as possible while abroad
- Packing and organising the children’s belongings
- Entertaining children on planes, trains, or during long transfers
- Providing reassurance in new environments or time zones
- Supporting the family with logistics, bookings, or errands
Who Are These Roles Best For?
Travel nanny positions are perfect for adventurous, adaptable nannies who thrive in new surroundings. You’ll need to be calm under pressure, confident with solo travel and managing transitions and happy to be on-call. Flexibility in these roles really is key. These roles suit nannies without strong local commitments and those excited by the idea of seeing the world while working.
Let’s look at the pros:
- Incredible travel opportunities (hotels, private jets, luxury destinations)
- Unique experiences and lifelong memories
- Often well-paid with expenses covered (flights, accommodation, meals)
And the cons:
- Irregular hours and being “on” most of the time
- Less personal downtime or privacy
- Need to pack light and adjust quickly to new environments
- Can be physically and emotionally demanding
4. What Is a Temporary or Emergency Nanny? Pros, Cons, and Who It’s Best For
A temporary or emergency nanny is hired on a short-term basis to step in when families need immediate or time-limited childcare. In some ways it’s very similar to supply teaching, where you are replacing an absent teacher for a day, or week or maybe longer. There are a number of reasons why a temporary nanny may be sought. I was working in a rota role and one of the team had to leave suddenly. In order to maintain 24/7 childcare the house manager quickly employed a temporary nanny who actual went on holiday with the family.
In some situations, a temporary or emergency nanny will be required if the families regular nanny had suddenly phoned in sick that morning, not all working parents are able to drop work for the day. There are all sorts of reasons for families requiring temporary nannies and there are agencies that specialise in hiring them on behalf of those families.
Temporary and emergency nannies are often contacted at very short notice and must be prepared to jump into new environments with minimal handover. Reliability, confidence, and strong instincts are essential, especially when working with children you’ve only just met. Thinking on your feet and being prepared for anything is key. A nanny with experience with a wide variety of age groups, is also beneficial as agencies can call upon you for different family set ups.
Your duties are similar to those of a long-term nanny and might include:
- Managing routines and keeping children calm in a new situation
- Cooking meals, doing nursery duties, and providing age-appropriate play
- Supporting families through unexpected or high-stress situations
- Maintaining consistency and safety during a period of transition
Who Are These Roles Best For?
Temporary or emergency nanny roles are ideal for flexible, experienced nannies, such as maternity nannies, freelancers, or those in between permanent jobs. They’re also great for professionals who enjoy variety, are confident stepping into new homes, and can remain calm and capable under pressure. Having years of supply teaching experience, I have considered temporary nanny roles in the past and once flew to Los Angeles to help out a family who had extended their summer holiday but the nanny they had taken, wasn’t able to stay an extra week.
Within just two days, I completed the necessary paperwork, booked my tickets, packed my case, and flew to Los Angeles, where I checked into a lovely hotel just a stone’s throw from the family residence. The family covered all my flights and accommodation, they paid me a high daily rate for the short notice and, of course, for my extensive nanny experience. I had a great time and the children were delightful.
Let’s look at the pros:
- Flexible work that fits around other commitments
- Variety, no two jobs are ever the same
- Fast-paced and rewarding for problem-solvers
- Opportunity to build experience with different family setups
And the cons:
- Income can be unpredictable
- Little time to build long-term relationships with children
- Can involve last-minute travel or schedule changes
- Not ideal if you prefer routine or job security
5. What Is a Maternity Nanny? Pros, Cons, and Who It’s Best For
A maternity nanny (sometimes called a newborn care specialist or maternity nurse) is a childcare professional who supports families during the early weeks or months after a baby is born. These roles often start from day one or shortly after birth and focus on the care and wellbeing of both the newborn and the recovering parent.
These nanny roles are unlike others I’ve mentioned previously. A maternity nanny is hired for their expertise in infant care. Maternity nannies offer feeding support (including bottle and breastfeeding guidance), establish sleep routines, and help parents build confidence in those first few months. First-time parents particularly seek them out. These jobs are usually live-in placements in order to assist during the night and support parents with overnight feeds and broken sleep.
Typical responsibilities include:
- Feeding and winding the baby (breast or bottle)
- Nappy changing and bathing
- Managing the baby’s sleep and settling routines
- Supporting the mother with postnatal recovery and rest
- Providing emotional reassurance and newborn education
Who Are These Roles Best For?
Maternity nanny roles are ideal for highly experienced nannies with newborn qualifications, such as OCN Maternity Nurse Training or CACHE Level 3+. These roles suit professionals who are calm, nurturing, and confident working independently. Families usually know their due dates in advance, so they book freelance maternity nannies several months ahead for each new placement.
Let’s look at the pros:
- Deeply rewarding, supporting families through the newborn stage
- High earning potential for experienced professionals
- Often includes accommodation and meals during live-in placements
- Opportunities for international travel with high-net-worth families
And the cons:
- Intense schedule, especially with overnight shifts
- Physically and emotionally demanding
- Short-term contracts mean frequent job searching unless well-booked
- May have limited downtime or personal space in live-in roles
I have worked with maternity nannies, but it is not a role I have done myself. Coming from a teaching background, I have focussed my governess and nanny career on preschoolers and school aged children as that’s where my expertise lies.
6. What Is a Bilingual Nanny? Pros, Cons, and Who It’s Best For
As the name suggest, a bilingual nanny is a childcare professional who speaks two or more languages fluently. The main focus of their role may be to incorporate those languages into the child’s daily care and routines. As they have that additional skill, these nanny roles go beyond typical nanny duties. Bilingual nannies put a strong focus on language exposure, cultural learning, and communication development.
Some families hire a bilingual nanny to help their child become fluent in a second language from an early age. Others do so to support heritage language retention or international schooling. The second language is often woven naturally into everyday activities, during meals, playtime, reading, and outings.
Although I’m not bilingual, two families hired me in my first governess roles to teach English to complete beginners. Without knowing any of the children’s native language, within 6 months of working with them, they quickly became fluent in English.
Key responsibilities often include:
- Speaking to the child in the target language during daily care
- Reading books, singing songs, and playing games in both languages
- Supporting early speech, vocabulary, and pronunciation
- Teaching cultural customs or traditions as relevant
- Liaising with parents to maintain consistent language exposure
Who Are These Roles Best For?
Experienced nannies who are fluent (not just conversational) in a second language and confident using it with children are best suited to bilingual nanny roles. They’re ideal for nannies with a background in language teaching, early years education, or those with a multicultural upbringing. These positions are especially in demand among international families or high-net-worth households preparing children for global education.
Let’s look at the pros:
- High demand and often higher salary due to specialist skills
- Opportunity to share culture and language in a meaningful way
- Can lead to prestigious roles in international or VIP households
- Great fit for globally minded nannies who love education
And the cons:
- Some families may expect fluency even with limited exposure
- May need to balance multiple languages in one household
- Can be isolating if the nanny and child are the only bilingual speakers
- Expectations around language progress may be unrealistic at times
7. What Is a VIP Nanny? Pros, Cons, and Who It’s Best For
A VIP nanny is a highly experienced childcare professional who works for high-net-worth or high-profile families, such as celebrities, royals, business executives, or ultra-wealthy households. These roles often involve working in luxurious homes, travelling internationally, and maintaining the utmost discretion at all times.
VIP nannying goes beyond standard childcare. Families expect not only excellent care and professionalism but also a polished appearance, emotional intelligence, and the ability to blend into a high-end lifestyle with confidence and grace. Teachers, in particular, are often highly valued in these roles because of their organisational skills, educational insight, and experience working under pressure. My background as a teacher is what helped me transition from a governess role into a VIP nanny role.
Key responsibilities often include:
- Providing high-quality childcare while maintaining discretion
- Travelling with the family on private jets or yachts
- Supporting children’s education with structured routines or tutoring
- Liaising with household staff, security teams, or PAs
- Maintaining confidentiality and understanding formal household etiquette
Who Are These Roles Best For?
VIP nanny roles are best suited to highly skilled, discreet professionals who are calm under pressure and comfortable in formal environments. They’re ideal for former teachers, rota nannies, or those with experience working in high-profile homes. These roles demand total reliability, professionalism, and flexibility, sometimes being on call 24/7.
Let’s look at the pros:
- High salaries and generous benefits
- Luxury travel and once-in-a-lifetime experiences
- Working in fully staffed, beautiful homes
- Opportunities to grow professionally in elite environments
And the cons:
- Long hours and intense schedules, often on-call
- High expectations and pressure to maintain standards
- Limited personal time or privacy, especially during travel
- Non-disclosure agreements and lifestyle restrictions may apply
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to nannying. There are so many different nanny roles. Whether you’re drawn to the structure of daily roles, the adventure of travel nannying, or the prestige of VIP placements, there’s a path that can match both your lifestyle and your strengths.
I found my way in to VIP nannying roles and have enjoyed a lengthy career. If you’re also a teacher considering a new direction, I hope this post has opened your eyes to just how many exciting possibilities exist beyond the classroom. Roles that allow you to use your teaching skills in meaningful and rewarding ways. Maybe you’re still studying and considering a career in nannying, I hope this post has helped inform you. Or, you’re a complete career changer, maybe a career in private childcare could be that next career move.
If you would like to explore more about careers in private childcare, check out my other blog posts here These including advice on governess life, luxury travel roles, transferable teaching skills and many more.
