Nanny employment contract template

A simple contract template for parents employing a nanny

When you hire a nanny in the UK, you become their legal employer. That means you’re required by law to give them a written statement of their main employment terms on or before their first day at work. Skipping this step or getting it wrong can land you in trouble with HMRC and put both sides in a difficult spot if things go wrong later.

Our nanny employment contract template is a clean, easy to use starting point that covers everything a typical nanny role needs. Just fill in the blanks, save your own copy, and you’ve got a proper written agreement ready to sign.

What the template covers

The contract is structured around the standard sections every nanny employment agreement should include. You’ll find clear, plain English wording for the names of both parties, the job title and main duties, the start date, working hours, hourly or weekly pay (gross), holiday entitlement, sick pay, pension arrangements, notice periods, confidentiality, and what happens if either side wants to end the arrangement.

There’s also space to add the bits that vary from family to family, like driving duties, overtime rates, school holiday cover, and any extras you want to write in. You don’t need to be a solicitor to fill it in. If you can write an email, you can complete this template.

Why a written contract matters

Even with a nanny you trust completely, a written contract protects both of you. It sets clear expectations from day one, gives you something to refer back to if anything changes, and is essential evidence if you ever need to deal with HMRC, a tribunal, or a dispute. Nannies are entitled to the same employment rights as any other UK employee, including holiday pay, sick pay, and a workplace pension, and a proper contract makes sure those are spelled out.

How to use it

Download the template, open it in Word, and work through it from top to bottom filling in your details. Sit down with your nanny to go through the wording together before you both sign. Keep a signed copy each. If you’re using a payroll service, send them a copy so they have everything they need to set up your nanny’s tax and pension.

If you’d like a hand tailoring the contract to your situation, or you’re not sure what should go in any of the sections, get in touch and we’ll talk it through with you.