A nanny share is exactly what it sounds like: one nanny, two families, splitting either the week or the working day. It’s a popular middle ground for families who want the one-to-one attention of a nanny without covering the full cost alone.

How it typically works

There are two common patterns. In a rotating share, the nanny alternates which family’s home they work from, day by day or week by week. In a combined share, the nanny cares for both sets of children together, usually at one family’s home, for the whole day.

The financial upside

Because the nanny’s salary is split between two families, each pays meaningfully less than they would for a solo nanny — while the nanny themselves often earns more overall than a single-family placement, since two families are contributing.

What to agree before you start

• Schedule: exact days, hours, and what happens during school holidays
• House rules and routines: discipline approach, screen time, meals — ideally kept consistent across both homes
• Payment split and payroll: who processes payroll, and how the split is invoiced
• Notice periods: what happens if one family leaves the share
• Illness cover: what happens if one child (or the nanny) is unwell

A share works best when both families treat it as a genuine partnership, not a cost-splitting arrangement they never discuss again.

Is it right for you?

Nanny shares suit families with children of a similar age, living close enough to make the logistics manageable, and comfortable coordinating with another household on rules and routines.