What’s The Difference Between a Nanny and Au Pair?

Often families may struggle to realise whether they need a nanny or au pair to cover their childcare needs. While both can no doubt provide excellent care for children, there are a few major differences in terms of responsibilities, living arrangements, and employment terms.

Nannies

⭐️ Professional Caregivers: Nannies are professional caregivers who will often have formal training in childcare-related courses and significant previous experience. Most families expect nannies to hold at least an up-to-date first aid qualification and a DBS check on the national update service. Further qualifications may also make a candidate more desirable such as being OFSTED registered, a CACHE or BTEC diploma, or even a relevant degree, can make a candidate highly desirable.

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⭐️ Employment: Nannies are typically hired as employees (either full-time or part-time) and are paid an hourly wage. They are entitled to benefits such as national insurance & pension payments, maternity leave, bank holiday allowance and holiday and statutory sick pay. Some nannies may choose to be self-employed.

⭐️ Living Arrangements: Some nannies may choose to be live-in nannies and therefore have a lower monthly wage to offset this.  Alternatively, they may live out and commute to the family's home daily. You can also find rota positions where you will live-in for 2 weeks at a time whilst on duty before having 2 weeks off where you will be expected to have your own accommodation.

⭐️ Responsibilities: Nannies generally take on a broad range of childcare responsibilities including planning play & organising educational activities, preparing children's meals, helping with homework, attending children's groups and classes and sometimes performing light nursery household duties related to the children such as laundry and tidying communal areas.

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⭐️ Duration: Nanny positions are often long-term, with many families looking for someone to stay for years as their children grow. However, there are also short-term or temporary nanny roles, such as holiday or maternity cover positions.

Au Pairs

⭐️ Cultural Exchange: Au pairs are usually young individuals (aged 18–30) who join a host family abroad as part of a cultural exchange. They may have limited formal childcare experience, but often bring enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. This arrangement can offer children a unique opportunity to learn about other cultures and languages.

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⭐️ Employment: Unlike nannies, au pairs aren’t traditional employees. They receive a weekly allowance (rather than a salary) and typically work 20–30 hours per week, assisting with childcare and basic household tasks.

⭐️ Living Arrangements: Au pairs typically live with the host family as part of the arrangement, receiving a private room and food paid for in addition to their monthly allowance.

⭐️ Responsibilities: Au pairs help with childcare and light household chores, generally working a set number of hours per week (often around 20-30 hours). Au pairs are not typically expected to care for young infants alone and are more suited to toddlers and school-age children.

⭐️ Duration: The stay of an au pair is usually committed to one year, with the possibility of an extension if both parties agree. This shorter duration is ideal for families with school-aged children looking for temporary childcare solutions and cultural exchange opportunities.

In short, nannies are professional, long-term caregivers with training and experience — perfect for families needing reliable, skilled childcare. Au pairs, on the other hand, offer cultural exchange and light childcare support on a part-time basis and are often just starting their journey into childcare.

➡️ If you're an au pair ready to transition into a nanny role, or you’re not sure where to begin, book a 1:1 career coaching session to gain confidence, plan your next steps, and build a CV that stands out.