By Filipino Nanny | Updated 21 August 2026
A nanny looks after children in the child’s own home, while a childminder normally provides registered childcare from their own home, another home that is not the child’s home, or approved non-domestic premises. The practical choice is between in-home childcare built around your household and a registered childcare provider operating their own setting.
This comparison covers England, where Ofsted and childminder-agency rules apply. Registration and childcare-support rules differ elsewhere in the UK.
Nanny vs childminder: quick comparison
| Factor | Nanny | Childminder |
|---|---|---|
| Where care happens | In the child’s own home | Usually at the childminder’s or another home, or approved non-domestic premises |
| Registration | Nannies do not have to register with Ofsted but may register voluntarily | Childminders generally need Ofsted or childminder-agency registration when the statutory conditions apply |
| Who runs the childcare setting | The family employs or engages the nanny for its household | The childminder runs their own childcare provision |
| Schedule | Days and hours are agreed for the family’s role | Care is booked within the childminder’s availability and setting |
| Tax-Free Childcare | Can apply when the nanny is an approved registered provider | Can apply with an approved registered childminder |
| Free Childcare for Working Parents | Nannies are not listed as an approved provider type for this scheme | Registered childminders are listed as approved providers |
What is a nanny?
A nanny provides childcare in the child’s home. Current GOV.UK guidance says nannies do not have to register with Ofsted, although they can choose voluntary registration. A nanny can care for children from one or two families at the same time in one of those families’ homes.
The family normally agrees the role directly: children’s ages, duties, days, hours, start date and whether the position is live-in or live-out. If the family directly employs the nanny, household-employer responsibilities may apply.
What is a childminder?
A childminder is a childcare provider whose registration depends on where and how they work. GOV.UK says someone looking after children in their own home or another home generally needs to register with Ofsted or a childminder agency when the statutory conditions apply. Since November 2024, a childminder can also register to work solely from approved non-domestic premises.
The important distinction from a nanny is that childcare in the child’s own home is normally nanny care rather than childminding, unless the provider is caring for children from more than two different families at the same time.
Choose a nanny when you need childcare organised around your home
A nanny may suit a family that needs childcare in its own home, with the working days and hours agreed around the household’s timetable. The role can include school or nursery runs, meals, activities, routines and child-related household tasks where these are part of the job description.
If you need a broader household role as well as childcare, compare a nanny-housekeeper rather than expanding the nanny job informally.
Choose a childminder when a registered provider’s setting fits
A registered childminder may suit families who are comfortable with care taking place in the childminder’s setting and whose schedule fits the provider’s availability. The childminder manages their own childcare provision and registration obligations rather than becoming a household employee in the same way as a directly employed nanny.
Parents can check the childminder’s registration route, current availability, age groups cared for, operating hours and policies before deciding.
How childcare-cost support differs
GOV.UK says Tax-Free Childcare can be used with approved registered childminders and registered nannies. The provider must be signed up to the scheme.
Free Childcare for Working Parents is different. GOV.UK lists registered childminders, nurseries, clubs, playschemes and registered schools among approved provider types; nannies are not listed. Eligible families in England can receive up to 30 hours a week for 38 weeks a year for children aged 9 months to 4 years, subject to the scheme rules.
Because of this, compare the actual net cost after any childcare support that applies, rather than assuming a nanny or childminder has the same funding treatment.
How our enquiry process frames the choice
Filipino Nanny Agency’s client enquiry form asks families to identify the role they need first, then separately records full-time or part-time status, weekly hours, days, postcode and intended start date. That makes an in-home nanny requirement explicit before candidate matching begins.
If a family’s real preference is for a childcare provider operating their own setting, that is a different category of solution from the staffing service we provide. Our role is to help families who have decided that an in-home nanny, nanny-housekeeper, housekeeper or temporary nanny is the right type of support.
The form also does not record which childminders a family considered, whether a local childminder had space, or what that provider charged. We therefore do not use our 203 submissions to make a preference claim about nanny versus childminder. The data supports a different point: once a family chooses in-home staffing, the agency needs a precise role and schedule. All 203 stored submissions included a weekly-hours value, alongside the role choice and required days. That is information a household employer needs for a nanny brief, whereas a childminder comparison must also use the independent provider’s registration, setting, availability and funding status.
What are the employer responsibilities with a nanny?
When a family directly employs a nanny, GOV.UK says the household is usually the employer unless the person is genuinely self-employed or supplied as an agency worker. Responsibilities may include employment terms, payslips, minimum wage, holiday, PAYE, National Insurance, workplace pension duties and employer’s liability insurance.
See our UK nanny employment guide for the main household-employer duties.
Choose a nanny if…
- You want childcare to happen in your own home.
- You need specifically agreed days and hours around the household timetable.
- You want an individual role defined around your children and routines.
- You are prepared to manage the employer responsibilities that apply to direct employment.
Choose a childminder if…
- You are happy for care to take place in the childminder’s registered setting.
- The provider’s hours and availability fit your routine.
- You want to explore Free Childcare for Working Parents with an approved registered provider.
- You prefer buying childcare from an independent registered provider rather than employing someone in your home.
What should you compare next?
If you are still comparing childcare models, see nanny vs nursery and nanny vs au pair. If you are leaning toward a nanny, read why families choose Filipino nanny candidates and what to verify individually. If you have decided that in-home childcare is the right category, see our Filipino nanny services in London. If you are still deciding between different types of in-home help, use our nanny, nanny-housekeeper or housekeeper guide.