How much a part-time nanny and au pair costs in the UK in 2026
Key Points
- Part-time nannies cost UK families between £17.56 and £22.64 per hour in 2026, according to Nannytax
- London families pay the most at £21.63 per hour, with the Home Counties higher still at £22.64
- A before and after school nanny in London costs around £1,054 per month
- Tax-Free Childcare can offset between £2,000 and £4,000 of the annual bill
- Families should budget for the total cost of employment, not just the hourly rate
A part-time nanny costs UK families between £17.56 and £22.64 per hour in 2026, according to payroll specialist Nannytax.
The figures come from the firm’s 25/26 Nanny Salary Guide, which it updated in July 2026. Nannytax reports steady demand for part-time nannies as flexible and hybrid working pushes parents towards childcare that fits irregular schedules.
The rates vary significantly by region, with the Home Counties now the most expensive place in the country to hire.
| Region | Average hourly rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Home Counties | £22.64 | Highest in the UK, ahead of London |
| London | £21.63 | Applies across Greater London |
| Rest of UK | £17.56 | Around 22% cheaper than the Home Counties |
The calculation is relatively straightforward. Families multiply their required weekly hours by the regional hourly rate, then multiply that weekly figure by the number of working weeks in the year. Dividing the annual total by 12 gives the monthly cost.
It should be noted that the number of working weeks matters more than most parents expect. A term-time-only arrangement runs to roughly 39 weeks, while year-round cover means paying for 52.
What families actually pay
A London family hiring a before and after school nanny for five hours a day, three days a week, pays £324.45 per week at the capital’s £21.63 rate. Across 39 school weeks that totals £12,653.55 per year, or £1,054.46 per month.
A Home Counties family with a split arrangement pays considerably more. Their nanny works 21 hours per week during 32 term weeks and 31 hours per week during 20 holiday weeks, producing an annual bill of £29,250. Spread over 12 equal payments, that works out at £2,437.57 per month.
Outside London and the Home Counties, the same childcare costs far less. A family employing a nanny for 20 hours per week across the full year pays £351.20 weekly at the £17.56 rate, totalling £18,262.40 annually or £1,521.87 per month.
| Scenario | Weekly hours | Annual cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| London, before/after school | 15 | £12,653.55 | 39 school weeks only |
| Home Counties, term and holiday split | 21 to 31 | £29,250 | 32 term weeks plus 20 holiday weeks |
| Rest of UK, year round | 20 | £18,262.40 | Full 52 weeks |
Nannytax warns that families should budget for the total cost of employment rather than the headline hourly figure. Employers take on payroll obligations when they hire a nanny directly, and those costs sit on top of the salary itself.
Eligible families can claim Tax-Free Childcare, which provides between £2,000 and £4,000 of annual support towards childcare costs. For a rest-of-UK family paying £18,262 per year, that support covers up to 22% of the total.
