What Does “Live-Out Nanny” Mean?

There are many different types of nannies and childcare professionals to suit different domestic needs, and if you understand the distinctions between them, you can often find the exact right professional to meet any combination of requirements. One of the main distinctions that needs to be made is the difference between a live-in and a live-out nanny - while the names explain much of the difference between these two roles, there are important differences and practical implications that will affect which is most suitable for your specific needs.

Here, the childcare experts at Nannies Matter explain the different types of nannies you might need for a variety of domestic situations, and answer the questions: what does “live-out nanny” mean, what does “live-in nanny” mean, and what other types of nanny or childcare professional might be suitable in my circumstances? This guide will also be useful to those looking to work as nannies and explain the legal parameters of these roles so that you can decide which is best for you.

What are the differences between live-in and live-out nannies?

The major difference between a live-in nanny and a live-out nanny is that the former type of professional will reside in your home or in a separate building on the premises while they undertake their childcare work. This is usually an ideal solution in cases where you have flexible needs, or your children have a complicated schedule that they may need to maintain. If your childcare professional is living on the premises, they can more easily fulfil ad-hoc requests or accommodate changes to the schedule, although there will be limits to what tasks they can undertake according to their employment contract.

A live-out nanny will reside elsewhere and travel to and from the place where they’ll carry out their childcare duties each day. If you do not have the space to host a nanny on your property, or your childcare needs are regular and structured, this may be the best option for you.

One misconception is that having a live-in nanny means that they can work more hours caring for your children because they are more accessible, but this is not the case and may mean you are breaking the law. Nannies can legally work up to 10 hours per day, for five days a week, and will usually keep regular hours, although the schedule can be more flexible according to your needs and the availability of your nanny. 

What other types of nannies are available?

Nannies may also have additional skills that enable them to carry out multiple duties. Particularly if your childcare needs are infrequent or intermittent, it may be more cost-effective to hire a nanny with housekeeping skills than to hire a separate housekeeper. Of course, this will depend on the needs of your household, but it can be a cost-effective solution.

This applies to both live-in and live-out nannies. For example, if a nanny is tasked with taking children to school in the morning, and collecting them in the afternoon, having them undertake housekeeping duties in between childcare responsibilities is often the most effective use of their time. In cases where a nanny is needed to fulfil multiple duties or has overall responsibilities within the household beyond childcare, choosing a live-in nanny can often be more efficient, but of course this also depends on the space you have available to host someone in your home or on your grounds.

Nanny grooms can provide care for horses as well as children, which makes them suitable for households with a combination of needs. Many nannies employed by Nannies Matter have additional skills that can mean they can make the most of the time in between their childcare duties and fulfil the unique needs of your household.

If you need a nanny with the perfect combination of skills, get in touch with Nannies Matter today. Call us on 0800 121 4881 or fill in the enquiry form n this page to arrange a bespoke consultation and discuss your needs. If you are interested in working for Nannies Matter and providing high-quality childcare to families in the Home Counties area, you can browse our current opportunities.