11/06/2026
Following on from the debate this week, we have received questions about nanny regulation and what changes we are actually campaigning for.
As an organisation, we are committed to being transparent about our work, our aims and our ongoing discussions with government and stakeholders. Much of our position has been publicly available for over four years through our Road to Nanny Regulation campaign.
Since launching that campaign, concerns about safety and accountability within the home-based childcare sector have become even more prominent. Tragically, there have been cases where babies have died or been seriously harmed while in the care of individuals working under maternity care titles. These cases have highlighted potential gaps in oversight, accountability and public understanding of different childcare roles.
As a result, our work has continued to evolve. While our original Road to Nanny Regulation campaign remains the foundation of our position, our recent petition also calls for further consideration of issues including title confusion, mandatory safeguarding measures and greater accountability across the sector.
For clarity, the National Nanny Association supports exploring:
• A compulsory national register for professional nannies and home-based childcare professionals.
• Mandatory DBS checks.
• Minimum training standards, including safeguarding and safer sleep training.
• A review of job titles used within the childcare and maternity care sectors to reduce confusion for families and improve public understanding of qualifications and responsibilities.
• A clear system for reporting concerns and enforcing standards.
• Appropriate oversight through either the Department for Education or a dedicated regulatory body for the nanny profession.
We have also recently campaigned to be included in government funding for childcare, suggesting tax breaks for employers of nannies, through nanny payroll companies.
We also run a series of surveys on the nanny industry throughout the year, to gather data. Data is really important in industries to see where we all sit, how the industry is doing as a whole so we can foresee issues and try and improve them.
It is important to stress that the National Nanny Association does not make government policy and will not have the final say on any future regulatory framework. We are not a regulatory body. Our role is to highlight concerns, identify gaps and loopholes, raise awareness, gather evidence and ensure the voices of both childcare professionals and families are heard.
We know there are differing opinions within the sector regarding regulation. We welcome those views. Our aim is not to lead people towards a predetermined outcome but to gather evidence and feedback so that informed decisions can be made.
To support this work, we currently have surveys open for both parents and home-based childcare professionals. The findings will help shape future campaigns, discussions and calls for evidence.
We have also been asked whether training providers and agencies themselves should be regulated. At present, we have not developed a formal position on this issue. Our immediate focus remains on the core reforms outlined above. As the conversation develops, we will continue to listen, learn and consider additional measures that may support a safer and more professional sector.
You can read our Road to Nanny Regulation campaign here:
https://thenationalnannyassociation.co.uk/nanny-regulation-in-the-uk-the-road-to-regulation/
Neither Maria nor I are paid for this work. We dedicate our personal time to these campaigns because we care deeply about improving safety, professional recognition and working conditions across the home-based childcare sector. We have been thrown into the spotlight very quickly with speaking with journalists, to appearing on live national news! We have had to deal with this very quickly and in a very fast paced environment.
We are grateful to everyone who contributes their views, supports our work and helps us continue these important conversations. Our shared goal remains simple: improving standards, strengthening accountability and helping to keep children safe.
Survey links are in the below post, as well as our petition.
Thank you
We discuss the current state of Regulation of the Nanny Industry in the UK and our campaign for better regulation of the Nanny Industry.
