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Definitions

A live-out nanny will normally have sole charge of your children and works between 10–12 hours per day with two days off per week, as well as four weeks' paid holiday plus Bank Holidays. Babysitting and extra hours should be arranged in advance between the employer and the employee. If the role is shared charge, the nanny will work alongside you — these families tend to have very young children. The majority of clients request sole-charge live-out nannies.

A live-in nanny lives with the family they are working for. In addition to their salary, they are provided with food and accommodation. A live-in nanny works between 10–12 hours per day, five days per week. Many families also require one or two babysitting evenings per week, which is included in the salary. A live-in nanny should be provided with their own bedroom and ideally their own bathroom, and should be made to feel comfortable in their private space. Some families offer separate accommodation to attract a higher calibre of nanny. Most live-in nanny candidates are happy to travel nationally and internationally with the family.

At Niche Nannies we specialise in the global placement of exceptional overseas childcare professionals — nannies and governesses. Our curated candidates include British and English-speaking professionals alongside multilingual experts fluent in two or more languages. We prioritise matching families with candidates whose linguistic, cultural, and professional skills align with their specific needs. Serving clients worldwide, we ensure access to highly qualified, versatile specialists capable of providing tailored care and education regardless of geographic location or family requirements.

A travel nanny is a highly skilled childcare professional who accompanies families on holiday, providing flexible and tailored care for children throughout the trip. Depending on the placement they may work 24/6 or 24/7, either independently or alongside the family's primary nanny. Their role ensures children remain engaged, safe, and stimulated — allowing parents to enjoy leisure and travel with complete peace of mind. Travel nannies combine childcare expertise, adaptability, and organisational skill to create a seamless, enriching, and memorable holiday experience for the whole family.

A ROTA nanny arrangement involves two nannies sharing a single position on a rotating schedule — typically two weeks on followed by two weeks off — ensuring continuous, uninterrupted childcare throughout the year. This model is particularly well-suited to high-net-worth families, those who travel frequently, or households requiring round-the-clock coverage. During their rotation, the active nanny is usually live-in, providing full-time care and maintaining consistency in the children's routine. Strong communication and a shared approach to childcare are essential. Niche Nannies takes great care to match ROTA pairs who are well-suited in temperament, experience, and philosophy.

A governess is a qualified childcare professional — usually certified in teaching — who educates and supervises children within a private household. Unlike a nanny, a governess takes primary responsibility for a child's academic development: designing and delivering lesson plans, supporting home schooling, teaching subjects such as reading, writing, and languages, and providing moral guidance. She may also liaise with external schools or tutors and provide after-school supervision and homework support. Whilst traditionally associated with upper-class households, the role today encompasses any family seeking a structured, educationally-focused childcarer for school-aged children.

A maternity nurse is a highly trained childcare professional who provides expert care and support to newborn babies and their parents in the early weeks or months after birth. Key responsibilities include newborn feeding, bathing, sleep routine establishment, postnatal recovery support, health monitoring, and teaching safe care practices. Maternity nurses typically work on a 24-hour basis five or six days a week, living in with the family, and remain in post until the mother feels confident caring for the baby independently — on average four to eight weeks, though shorter or longer placements are not uncommon.

A Nanny/PA combines childcare duties with personal assistant responsibilities for a household. They care for children by organising routines, preparing meals, helping with schoolwork, and ensuring safety and well-being. Alongside this they support the employer with administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, running errands, managing correspondence, and overseeing household organisation. This dual role requires flexibility, discretion, and strong organisational skills, and is ideally suited to families with school-aged children where parents are self-employed or work from home.

A family assistant supports a family with a blend of childcare and household tasks — helping manage daily life and keeping everything organised. Childcare support includes school drop-offs and pick-ups, homework help, organising activities, and supervising children when parents are busy. Household responsibilities span light housekeeping, grocery shopping, meal preparation, and shared-space organisation. Administrative help covers managing family calendars, scheduling appointments, booking travel, and coordinating extracurricular activities. Well-suited to busy dual-career households and families with school-age children seeking flexible, all-around support.

A house manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations, maintenance, and organisation of a private residence — ensuring the household runs smoothly, efficiently, and according to the homeowner's preferences. Duties include coordinating daily household activities, supervising and managing domestic staff (housekeepers, chefs, nannies, gardeners), scheduling repairs and maintenance, managing household budgets and bills, and planning events or guest stays. The role requires exceptional organisational skill, leadership, discretion, and financial management — acting as the chief operating officer of a private home.

A housekeeper is employed to manage and maintain the cleanliness, order, and daily running of a household or establishment. Duties typically include cleaning rooms, doing laundry, preparing meals, shopping for supplies, and overseeing other domestic staff. In larger homes a housekeeper may also handle inventories, schedules, and hygiene standards. The role demands organisation, discretion, and reliability — ensuring a comfortable and welcoming environment for residents and guests, and maintaining consistently high standards.

The Montessori approach, developed by Maria Montessori, emphasises child-centred learning, independence, and hands-on exploration. A Montessori-trained nanny respects each child's natural development and encourages self-directed activity within a prepared environment — acting as a guide who observes and supports rather than directs. Mixed-age interaction promotes collaboration and social growth, while purposeful materials build practical life skills, sensory understanding, and cognitive ability. Children exposed to this method tend to become more confident, self-reliant, and develop a lasting love of knowledge.

The Reggio Emilia philosophy, developed by educator Loris Malaguzzi in northern Italy, views children as capable, curious, and full of potential. It emphasises child-led learning, creativity, and exploration, with educators acting as guides rather than instructors. The environment is considered the "third teacher," actively supporting discovery. Collaboration, communication, and artistic expression are central, while documentation of learning helps track development and deepen understanding for both educators and children. Nannies trained in this approach bring a rich, project-based sensibility to early years care.

The Waldorf approach, developed by Rudolf Steiner, emphasises holistic development — intellectual, artistic, and practical — tailored to the child's developmental stages. It integrates academics with arts, music, movement, and handcrafts, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and social responsibility. Learning is experiential, imaginative, and rhythmically structured, nurturing emotional and moral growth alongside cognition. Nannies trained in this philosophy build deep, long-term relationships with children, supporting self-expression, curiosity, and respect for individuality.

The Norland qualification is a prestigious professional credential awarded by Norland College — founded in 1892 by Emily Ward and recognised globally for excellence in childcare and early years education. The programme combines academic study with extensive hands-on placements, training nannies, maternity nurses, and early years practitioners in child development, safeguarding, practical skills, and professionalism. Graduates are highly regarded for their expertise, confidence, and ability to provide exceptional holistic care. With a finite number of new graduates each year, Norland Nannies are often in great demand and command premium salaries. Niche Nannies registers both newly qualified and experienced Norland candidates.