Nanny Paid Holidays Explained

Every nanny deserves proper time off to rest and recharge. Whether you work full-time or part-time, live-in or live-out, you are entitled to paid holidays in line with employment law.

Still, many nannies and families find the topic confusing. How much holiday pay should you receive? What happens with bank holidays? What should your employment contract actually say about your holiday entitlement?

In this guide, the team at Nannies Matter explains everything you need to know about your holiday allowance as a nanny, how your paid annual leave should be calculated, and what to do if you believe something isn't right

How much holiday entitlement do nannies get?

In the UK, all employees - including full-time and part-time nannies - are entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks of paid leave per year. This is known as your statutory holiday entitlement and applies from your first day of your placement.

To put it simply:

• A full-time nanny working five days per week receives 28 holiday days per year (5.6 weeks × 5 days).
• If a nanny works fewer days, their entitlement will be lower. For example, a nanny working three days per week would receive 16.8 days of paid holiday per year.

Your holiday allowance also includes public holidays and bank holidays. If you don’t work on a bank holiday, this will usually be deducted from your annual entitlement, unless your contract of employment specifies otherwise.
Some employers may offer extra holiday at their discretion, as a gesture of appreciation or for long service. However, the legal minimum holiday entitlement remains 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave for all employees.

Calculating your holiday pay

When you take a week’s holiday, you should be paid exactly what you’d earn if you were working that week.

If your hours vary, your holiday pay will be based on your average pay over the previous 52 weeks in which you worked. Weeks with no pay are skipped, and you can go back a further 104 weeks to find 52 paid weeks if necessary.

For example, if you’re a part-time nanny who works variable hours, you can calculate your pay by adding up what you’ve earned in the last 52 paid weeks, then dividing by 52. That gives your average weekly pay for one week’s holiday. To find your daily rate, divide that number by how many days you typically work per week.

If you’ve worked extra hours, overtime, or additional childcare days, these should also be factored into your calculation if they’re part of your usual working pattern.

Understandably, this process can be complex, but many families that employ a nanny will use a reputable tax and payroll specialist to make sure these things are correctly calculated. At Nannies Matter, we recommend trusted payroll services to the families we work with. And we also work with our nannies to make sure they are provided with fair holiday pay, in line with employment law in England and Wales.
What about bank holidays and public holidays?

Bank holidays often cause confusion, especially for nannies who work flexible schedules. By law, bank holidays count as part of your overall holiday entitlement, not as additional days off.

If your contract says you’re required to work on bank holidays, you’ll either be given time off elsewhere or receive additional holiday pay at your usual rate. Some families may choose to offer extra days for bank holidays. Again, this depends on what’s written in the contract of employment you agree before you begin a placement.

What if you take sick leave or maternity leave?

If you’re off on statutory sick pay or sick leave, your holiday entitlement continues to build up. You don’t lose your paid leave simply because you’ve been unwell.

The same applies during maternity leave or shared parental leave. You’ll still accrue holiday days while you’re away, and you can take them either before or after your leave. This should be arranged with your employer in advance.

If you leave your nanny job part-way through the year, you’re entitled to receive pay for any untaken holiday on your final payslip.

Conversely, if you’ve overtaken holiday (used more than you’ve accrued), that amount may be deducted from your final pay.

Planning your holidays

When it comes to taking time off, a little planning goes a long way. Because nannying often fits around a family’s routine, it helps to talk openly about when you’d like to take your annual leave and how this fits with the children’s school holidays or other busy times of year.
Most families appreciate their nanny being available when the kids are off school, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a proper break. The best approach is to discuss your plans in advance so everyone knows what to expect.

It’s also good practice to give plenty of notice before booking time off - around two to four weeks, depending on what’s set out in your employment contract. This gives the family employing you time to make arrangements and keeps things running smoothly while you’re away.

Sometimes, a family might ask you to take your holiday days at a particular time; for example, when they go away on holiday. If this is the case, it should be clearly stated in your contract, and both sides should have a say in how holiday entitlements are planned. Keeping the conversation open and friendly helps make sure everyone’s happy with the arrangement.

Common questions about nanny holiday entitlement

Can my employer refuse my holiday request?

Your employer can ask you to reschedule if your chosen dates clash with the family’s needs, but they can’t deny your holiday entitlement altogether.

What if I work part-time or irregular hours?

Your holiday allowance is pro-rated based on the number of days you work per week. Even part-timers have the same statutory right to 5.6 weeks of paid leave, adjusted to their schedule.

Can I lose my unused holidays?

Most contracts require you to use your holiday days within the same year. However, your employer may allow you to carry days over at their discretion.

Get in touch

If you are struggling to understand any aspects of your pay, it is important that you seek advice. The team at Nannies Matter is committed to pairing talented childcare professionals with families who need them, and we work with both nannies and employers to help them to fulfil their obligations. We can explain all aspects of the job and break down both your responsibilities and those of your employer.

For help, call Nannies Matter today on 07736 337065, email us at ​​info@nannies-matter.co.uk or fill in our contact form and we will get back to you.