Nannying Is a Profession,It’s Time We Treated It That Way

Nannying has long been misunderstood.

Too often, it is viewed as informal work, something based purely on personality or natural ability. While those qualities have their place, they do not define the role. Nannying is skilled, responsible work that carries real weight and long-term impact.

At its core, professional nannying must be built on qualifications.

Qualifications are not simply a formality. They represent a clear understanding of child development, safeguarding, health and safety, and recognised best practice. They equip nannies to make informed decisions, to recognise risk, and to respond appropriately in both everyday situations and critical moments.

Families are not just welcoming someone into their home. They are placing trust in someone to take on a role that requires judgement, knowledge, and accountability. That level of responsibility cannot be met by good intentions alone.

It requires professional preparation.

In the UK, nannying is largely unregulated. There is no formal registration or national framework in place for nannies, apart from a voluntary Ofsted Childcare Register, which is mainly linked to helping parents access schemes such as tax-free childcare.

Because of this lack of formal structure, maintaining standards relies heavily on the profession itself.

Warmth, intuition, and a genuine interest in working with children still matter. They support relationships and day-to-day interactions. But they are not a substitute for training or knowledge, and they should never be relied upon as the foundation of practice.

If nannying is to be taken seriously as a profession, it must meet professional standards. That means training, knowledge, and accountability are not optional, they are expected.Anything less risks lowering expectations in a role where standards matter most.

Recognising nannies as professionals is not about elevating status for the sake of it. It is about protecting children, supporting families, and ensuring that those in these roles are equipped to meet the responsibility they carry.

There have been tragic cases where children have come to serious harm while in the care of those working as nannies or maternity nurses. These cases are not common, but they cannot be ignored. They highlight the reality of what can happen when a role carrying such responsibility is not underpinned by clear standards, expectations, and accountability. If nannying is to be taken seriously as a profession, this cannot continue to be overlooked. It is time for government to listen, to act, and to introduce regulation and registration that properly reflects the responsibility this role holds.

Raising expectations across the sector starts with recognising what nannying truly is:

A profession.