Hire a Nanny in 24 Hours

Our comprehensive recruitment service includes an initial consultation to understand your exact requirements, access to our exclusive network of pre-vetted Nanny candidates, shortlist delivery within 24-48 hours, interview coordination and logistics support, thorough background checks and reference verification, offer negotiation assistance, and ongoing support through the onboarding period. We operate on a success-fee basis—you only pay when your new Nanny starts work. Our replacement guarantee provides additional security, offering a free replacement if the placement doesn't work out within the guarantee period.

Our typical timeline delivers exceptional efficiency without compromising quality. Within 24-48 hours of your initial consultation, you'll receive a shortlist of 3-5 pre-vetted candidates. Most clients conduct interviews within the first week and make hiring decisions within 10-14 days. The complete process, including background checks and start date coordination, typically concludes within 3-4 weeks. For urgent requirements, we can expedite this timeline, though we never compromise our vetting standards. Factors that may extend the timeline include highly specific requirements, visa processing needs, or coordination of international relocations.

Professional nannies in private households should possess formal childcare qualifications from recognized institutions like Norland College, plus current pediatric first aid and CPR certification. Essential requirements include an enhanced DBS check, valid driver's license, and safeguarding children certification. Beyond certifications, look for candidates with 3+ years of verifiable experience in private households, excellent references, and demonstrated discretion. Additional valuable qualifications include language skills, special needs training, newborn care expertise, or specific educational philosophy training (Montessori, Waldorf). The exact requirements depend on your family's needs, but never compromise on core safety certifications and thorough reference checks.

Our replacement guarantee provides peace of mind for your investment. If a placement doesn't work out within the guarantee period (typically 3-6 months depending on the position), we'll find a replacement at no additional cost. This guarantee covers situations where either party decides the match isn't suitable, excluding gross misconduct or redundancy. We manage the replacement process with the same thoroughness as the original search, learning from the experience to refine our selection criteria. Our 95% placement success rate means guarantees are rarely invoked, but when needed, we typically present replacement candidates within 72 hours.

Our seven-step vetting process is the industry's most comprehensive. We begin with detailed interviews exploring childcare philosophy, experience, and career goals. We then conduct enhanced background checks including criminal records, qualification verification, and identity confirmation. Our reference checking goes beyond basic employment verification - we speak directly with previous employers, asking specific questions about performance, reliability, and discretion. Candidates undergo personality profiling to assess compatibility with private household environments. We also review social media presence and conduct skills assessments relevant to your requirements. Only candidates who pass every stage reach your shortlist.

Nanny compensation varies significantly based on experience level, responsibilities, location, and specific requirements of the role. During our initial consultation, we provide detailed salary benchmarking tailored to your specific situation and market conditions. This ensures your offer is competitive enough to attract quality candidates while remaining aligned with current market rates. We draw on our extensive placement experience to advise on the full compensation package including benefits, accommodation, and other factors that influence candidate decisions.

Yes, we regularly assist with international placements requiring visa sponsorship. Our team is well-versed in visa requirements for major jurisdictions and can guide you through the process. We work with specialized immigration lawyers to ensure compliance with local regulations. For candidates requiring sponsorship, we verify their eligibility early in the process to avoid complications. While visa processing may extend the overall timeline by 4-8 weeks, we coordinate all elements to minimize delays. Our international placement experience covers skilled worker visas, intra-company transfers, and other relevant categories for household staff.

Lighthouse Careers successfully places nannies globally, from London townhouses to Caribbean islands, Swiss ski resorts to Manhattan penthouses. Our network includes candidates willing to relocate internationally and those already based in major cities worldwide. For remote or unusual locations, we identify adventurous, adaptable candidates who view unique locations as opportunities rather than challenges. We also source local candidates who understand regional cultures and languages. Whether you need a nanny for a single location or someone comfortable rotating between multiple residences, our global reach and thorough vetting ensure we find candidates who thrive in your specific environment.

Urgent requirements receive priority attention without compromising our vetting standards. We maintain a pool of immediately available, pre-vetted candidates who can start within days. For emergency situations, we can present initial candidates within 24 hours and arrange interviews immediately. Our team works extended hours when needed to accommodate urgent timelines. While our full vetting process remains essential, we can conduct elements in parallel to expedite placement. Many urgent placements are completed within 7-10 days. We also offer temporary coverage solutions while conducting the permanent search, ensuring your children receive professional care without delay.

Starting your nanny search with Lighthouse is straightforward. Simply contact our team via phone or email to schedule an initial consultation. This 15-30 minute conversation allows us to understand your family's specific needs, preferences, and timeline. We'll explain our process in detail and answer any questions. Following the consultation, we immediately activate our search, typically delivering your first shortlist within 24-48 hours. There's no obligation to proceed after receiving the shortlist, and you pay nothing unless you hire a candidate. Our consultants are available seven days a week to accommodate your schedule.

Nannies in HNW households require qualities beyond excellent childcare skills. Essential attributes include absolute discretion, understanding of confidentiality requirements, and ability to maintain professional boundaries while building warm relationships with children. They must adapt to complex schedules, international travel, and interaction with multiple staff members. Cultural sophistication helps them prepare children for diverse social situations. Experience with security protocols, comfort with formality when required, and ability to remain unphased by wealth are crucial. The best candidates combine these sophisticated soft skills with solid childcare qualifications and genuine passion for child development.

Our network includes nannies with diverse linguistic abilities and specialized skills. We regularly place multilingual nannies who can support language immersion goals, from native French speakers for full immersion to qualified teachers of Mandarin or Arabic. Specializations we source include special needs experience (autism, ADHD, physical disabilities), newborn care specialists with sleep training expertise, and nannies with specific educational backgrounds (Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia). We also find nannies with complementary skills like music instruction, sports coaching, or artistic abilities. Our targeted search process identifies candidates whose specializations genuinely match your requirements rather than offering generic matches.