Free UK Nanny Contract Template

What the nanny contract template covers

The template is structured around every section a nanny employment agreement is expected to include under UK employment law. You’ll find clearly worded sections for:

• The full names of the employer and the nanny
• Job title and main duties
• Start date and whether the role is permanent or temporary
• Place of work and whether there is a live-in arrangement
• Normal working hours and days
• Gross pay rate (hourly or annual) and pay frequency
• Holiday entitlement (statutory minimum is 5.6 weeks including bank holidays)
• Sick pay arrangements
• Pension auto-enrolment
• Notice periods for both sides
• Confidentiality
• Use of the family’s car, if applicable
• Expenses and mileage

There is also space to add extras that are specific to your arrangement, such as term-time only working, overtime rates, or responsibilities around school runs and activities.

Why a written nanny contract is a legal requirement

Under UK employment law, every employee is entitled to a written statement of their employment particulars. For nannies, this is not optional. It must be given to them on or before their start date, and it must cover a specific set of terms set out in the Employment Rights Act 1996.

This matters for several reasons beyond just compliance. A clear nanny agreement sets expectations from day one and prevents misunderstandings around things like holiday requests, overtime, and what happens when a child is unwell. If you ever need to manage a disciplinary issue, deal with a dispute, or demonstrate to HMRC that the employment relationship is above board, a signed contract is your first line of evidence.

Even with a nanny you already know well, a written contract protects both sides equally.

Always agree a gross pay rate, not net

When filling in the pay section of your nanny contract, always write in the gross pay figure, never a net one. Agreeing a net rate leaves you open to an open-ended tax liability. If your nanny’s tax code changes, HMRC adjusts their tax calculation, or they have income from a previous job in the same tax year, you could end up owing significantly more than you budgeted for.

Gross pay is what you agree to pay before tax and National Insurance are deducted. Your payroll provider will calculate the correct net take-home figure from that. If you want to know what a gross salary works out to in take-home pay, use our free nanny pay calculator to get an instant breakdown.

How to use the template

Download the Word document and open it on your computer. Work through each section and fill in the details for your specific arrangement. Some sections have options to select, others have blank fields to complete. A few sections are optional and only apply to certain roles, such as the live-in accommodation section and the driving duties clause.

Before you finalise it, sit down with your nanny and go through the contract together. This is not just good practice, it is an opportunity to make sure you are both clear on expectations before day one. Once you are both happy, print two copies and sign them both. You keep one, your nanny keeps one.

If you are using a payroll service to manage your nanny’s tax and National Insurance, send them a copy of the signed contract so they have all the information they need to set things up correctly.

If anything in the template is unclear or your situation is more complex than the standard template covers, get in touch and we can advise you on what to include.

What happens after the contract is signed

A signed contract is the start, not the finish. As an employer you also need to register with HMRC, set up PAYE, and run payroll each month. If your nanny earns above the threshold and meets the age criteria, you will also need to enrol them in a workplace pension within three months of them starting.

All of this is included in our nanny payroll service, which starts from £260 per year. We handle the HMRC registration, the monthly payslips, the pension, and anything else that comes up. If you want to get everything sorted properly in one go rather than piecing it together yourself, that is what we are here for.

What’s included

A complete UK nanny employment contract covering job duties, working hours, gross pay, holiday entitlement, sick pay, pension, notice periods, confidentiality, driving duties, and expenses. Includes optional sections for live-in arrangements and term-time only working.

Who it’s for

Parents employing a nanny directly in their home, whether full time, part time, live in, live out, term-time only, or for a fixed period.

Format

Editable Word document (.docx). Download, fill in your details, print, and sign. No special software needed beyond Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

Legal note

This template gives you a legally structured starting point but it is not a substitute for legal advice. For unusual arrangements, disputes, or anything complex, speak to an employment solicitor.

Last updated

In 2026, Written for current UK employment law.