London · 2026 guide
How to choose a nanny agency in London (2026)
Seven things to check before you sign with any London nanny agency — the questions we would want every family to ask, including of us.
Tell us what you needFor families · a one-minute enquiry
Tell Hanna and the Lumière team what you need
A private search, never a database.
Every enquiry is read by the team. Reply within 48 hours; shortlist within a week.
- Founded 2025 by Hanna, a career nanny · 100+ placements
- 3-month guarantee, then 2 months on each replacement — up to 3 re-matches
- Long-term nannies, newborn care specialists and private teachers · our terms
- Every contract fully declared
Updated 15 October 2026 · by the Lumière team
Quick answer
Choose a London nanny agency on seven checks: it is introduction-only and your family is the employer; it introduces only candidates with an existing right to work in the UK; every candidate holds an enhanced DBS and paediatric first aid; the fee and VAT are in writing before any search; the guarantee says exactly what it covers and for how long; candidates are interviewed in the languages your household uses; and you can speak to a family it has placed. Lumière Placements — founded 2025, based in Nice, specialising in long-term nannies, newborn care specialists and private teachers: introduction-only in London with UK-eligible French- and Russian-speaking candidates; guarantee three months, then two on each replacement, up to three times; shortlist within a week; 5.0 on Google. Facts checked October 2026.
What to verify before you sign
Every agency describes its candidates as exceptional. These are the things you can actually verify in one call.
The legal and financial basics
- Introduction-only. In the UK your family employs the nanny; the agency introduces.
- Right to work. Settled or pre-settled status, or a British or Irish passport. There is no visa route for nannies.
- Enhanced DBS and paediatric first aid. Current and sighted, with references checked by a person.
- Fee and VAT in writing before the search. A percentage of first-year gross or a flat fee, stated clearly.
What separates a good agency
- The guarantee, precisely. How long, how many replacements, and whether replacements are covered too.
- Who interviews, in which language. For a French- or Russian-speaking nanny, ask whether the interviewer speaks it.
- A family you can call. A recent placement in your part of London, not a website testimonial.
Our answers, in the same order
Introduction-only: your family employs on PAYE terms and we never charge the nanny. Right to work: UK-eligible candidates only; we do not sponsor visas. Checks: enhanced DBS, paediatric first aid and references verified in person by the Lumière team. Fee: set out in writing before any search, with full terms on our fees page. Guarantee: three months on the placed candidate, then two months on each replacement, up to three replacements. Languages: French- and Russian-speaking candidates are interviewed in those languages. Families to call: on request.
Full terms: fees and guarantee · Nanny cost in London 2026 · Nanny agency London · French-speaking nanny London · Russian-speaking nanny London
Frequently Asked Questions
Ask us the seven questions
Send us your London brief; we reply within 48 hours with every answer in writing.
Tell us what you needVetting & compliance
How Lumière nannies are vetted for London families
Lumière introduces candidates; the family is the employer. We never charge nannies. We introduce only candidates with an existing right to work in the UK and do not sponsor visas. Terms of business are supplied before any introduction.
Right to work in the UK
Settled or pre-settled status, or a British or Irish passport, verified before any introduction. We do not sponsor visas.
Enhanced DBS
Current enhanced DBS certificate, or application started before introduction, plus references verified in person by Hanna.
The family is the employer
Declared PAYE employment, employer's National Insurance and pension auto-enrolment, usually through a nanny payroll provider.
Introduction-only
Lumière introduces; we never charge the nanny, and our terms of business are supplied in writing before the first introduction.
Paediatric first aid
Current certificate required for every candidate.
Language verified
Russian- and French-speaking candidates are interviewed by Hanna in that language and in English.
Declared employment. Every placement is made on a written, declared contract with the family as employer. Lumière does not place undeclared nannies.
The Lumière difference
Founded by a professional nanny, not a recruiter
"I founded Lumière because the families I worked for kept asking the same question: where do we find another nanny like you? I still take private placements. Every nanny I place is one I would work alongside."
Hanna founded Lumière Placements after years inside private households as a career nanny. Lumière is the only French Riviera-based boutique placement agency, placing across Monaco, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Cannes, Saint-Tropez and Nice, and worldwide, founded and led by a professional nanny.
Why families choose Lumière
- Based
- French Riviera
- Founder
- Hanna, professional nanny
- Approach
- Families understood from the inside, the right nanny for the right family
- Qualifications
- Norland, CACHE, NNEB, Montessori
- Vetting
- References verified, DBS where applicable
- Employment
- Declared, full contracts
- Reach
- 20+ cities · 3 continents
- Specialisms
- Live-in, rota, governess, maternity, yacht, travel
