Nannies and babysitters are different types of service available to look after children in your own home.

Nannies

 Nannies can:

• Provide high quality, flexible childcare for children of all ages
• Be employed on a daily, live in or shared basis

• Work flexible hours, part time or full time, term time and holidays to suit you and your child’s commitments

   

Read the document, below for a list of nanny agencies.

Babysitters

If you are using a babysitter you must make sure that the person you have asked is capable and will provide adequate care for your child. This is because the law:

• Does not state an age when children can be left alone, but parents can be prosecuted for wilful neglect if they leave a child unsupervised "in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health"

• Does not state when young people can babysit, but if a babysitter is under the age of 16, parents remain legally responsible to ensure that their child comes to no harm

More details

Read the Directgov advice about finding a nanny. If you are using a babysitter, make sure that the person you have asked is capable. This is because the law doesn't state an age when children can be left alone and if your babysitter is under the age of 16, you remain legally responsible for the safety of your child. There is more advice about using a babysitter on the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children website and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents website.