If you want to hire a nanny in Surrey, finding someone you trust with your children is about much more than filling a vacancy. You need a person who understands your family’s routines, respects your parenting choices, and can provide dependable care when work deadlines, school runs, and family commitments compete for your attention.
In 2026, parents have plenty of ways to find childcare, from personal recommendations to specialist recruitment agencies. The challenge is knowing which candidates are genuinely suitable and how to check their credentials before making a decision.
Here is a practical guide to finding the right nanny for your household.
1. Start With Your Family’s Needs
Before posting an advert or contacting an agency, decide what support your family actually needs. Do you require a full-time nanny, part-time childcare, live-in assistance, or someone who can manage school pickups and prepare meals?
Consider your working hours, children’s ages, dietary requirements, and expectations around housekeeping. Write a clear job description covering responsibilities, working hours, location, salary range, and any driving requirements.
Knowing your priorities makes it easier to hire a nanny in Surrey who fits your household rather than simply choosing someone with an impressive CV.
2. Find Candidates Through Trusted Sources
Personal recommendations can be a helpful starting point, particularly when another family can describe a nanny’s reliability and approach to childcare. You can also explore reputable childcare platforms and specialist domestic staff recruitment agencies.
If you are considering hire a nanny in Surrey, look beyond nationality alone. Filipino domestic staff UK searches may introduce you to candidates with relevant household experience, but every applicant should be assessed individually for childcare skills, communication, references, and compatibility with your family.
A filipino housekeeper Surrey search may also help if you need household support alongside childcare. However, housekeeping experience does not automatically qualify someone to care for young children.
3. Interview Carefully and Check Ofsted Registration
An interview should reveal more than a candidate’s employment history. Ask how they would handle a toddler’s tantrum, a school-age child’s screen time, or an unexpected change to the daily routine.
Useful questions include:
- What experience do you have with children of similar ages?
- How would you respond to an emergency?
- Can you provide references from previous families?
- What are your expectations regarding duties and working hours?
Before hiring, verify identity, employment history, references, and appropriate right-to-work documentation. Discuss an enhanced DBS check where relevant and appropriate for the role.
Does Your Nanny Need Ofsted Registration?
In England, Ofsted registration requirements depend on the childcare arrangement. Nannies caring for children in the employer’s own home generally do not need to register with Ofsted, although some choose voluntary registration if eligible. This can matter if a family wants to use eligible childcare support arrangements.
Check current eligibility and requirements directly with Ofsted rather than assuming every professional nanny must be registered.
4. Arrange a Trial Day Before Committing
Once you have shortlisted a candidate, arrange a supervised trial with agreed duties, hours, and payment. Observe how the nanny communicates with your child, follows safety instructions, and responds to your family’s routines.
A child may be shy around someone new, so do not expect instant affection. Instead, look for patience, attentiveness, and respectful interaction.
A trial also gives both sides an opportunity to discuss practical concerns before you hire a nanny in Surrey permanently.
5. Put the Employment Agreement in Writing
A written contract protects both your family and your nanny. Include salary, working hours, holiday entitlement, notice periods, sick leave, responsibilities, confidentiality, and arrangements for additional hours.
Clarify whether duties include cooking, laundry, school runs, or overnight care. You should also agree on emergency procedures, communication expectations, and any household rules.
Remember that employing a nanny comes with legal responsibilities, including applicable National Minimum Wage requirements, payroll obligations, and workplace pension duties where relevant. Check current guidance before finalising your agreement.
Why Use a Domestic Staff Recruitment Agency?
Recruiting household staff involves much more than finding someone with the right experience. The successful candidate also needs to suit your family’s lifestyle, expectations, working environment and individual requirements.
Working with a specialist domestic staff recruitment agency can make the process easier by helping you identify suitable candidates and guiding you through the recruitment process.
Prideph works closely with clients to understand what they are looking for before introducing candidates for consideration.
Make Your Next Hiring Decision With Confidence
Choosing childcare is personal, and rushing the process can create unnecessary stress for everyone. Take time to define your needs, verify candidates, observe interactions, and agree on clear employment terms.
When you are ready to hire a nanny in Surrey, thoughtful preparation can make the search more manageable. If you would appreciate guidance finding household staff who suit your family’s needs, explore PridePH Domestic and take the next step towards finding the right support for your home.