UK employment law requires that employees receive a written statement of employment particulars from their first day of work. For a role as personal and trust-based as a nanny, a proper contract isn’t just a legal box to tick — it prevents the vast majority of disputes before they start.
The basics it must cover
- Job title and a clear description of duties
- Start date and, if relevant, end date or trial period
- Working hours and days, including flexibility expectations
- Pay rate, pay day, and overtime terms
- Holiday entitlement and how it’s booked
- Notice period required on both sides
- Sick pay terms
Nanny-specific clauses worth including
- Use of a personal car for the role, and mileage reimbursement
- Confidentiality regarding your family’s personal life
- Social media policy regarding photos of your children
- Expectations around additional duties (light housework, meal prep) so scope doesn’t quietly expand over time
- What happens in case of the child being unwell, or the nanny being unwell
A good contract isn’t about anticipating conflict — it’s about making sure everyday questions already have an agreed answer.
Keep it a living document
As hours, duties or pay evolve, update the contract rather than letting verbal agreements quietly replace it. A quick annual review is good practice even when nothing major has changed.
Get it checked
Templates are a reasonable starting point, but for anything beyond a straightforward part-time arrangement, it’s worth having the final version checked by a professional familiar with UK domestic employment law.