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London & the Home Counties

Exceptional childcare, thoughtfully matched to your family

Smart Childcare Agency places outstanding professional nannies, nanny housekeepers, junior nannies and au pairs with discerning families. Every candidate is personally interviewed, rigorously vetted and matched with care — because nothing matters more than who cares for your children.

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20+Years' Experience
900+Placements Made
4.9Google Rating

Our Services

Childcare tailored to the way your family lives

From experienced career nannies to culturally enriching au pairs, we recruit for every stage of family life.

I.

Professional Nannies

Full-time, part-time, live-in or live-out — experienced career nannies who bring warmth, structure and genuine dedication to your household.

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II.

Nanny Housekeepers

The best of both worlds — capable professionals who combine loving childcare with the smooth running of your home.

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III.

Junior Nannies

Enthusiastic, qualified young professionals building their childcare careers — an excellent choice for families seeking energy, dedication and value.

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IV.

After-School Nannies

Dependable term-time care for school-age children — pick-ups, homework, activities and teatime, handled calmly and capably.

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V.

Au Pairs

Carefully selected live-in au pairs offering flexible, culturally enriching childcare and a genuine extra pair of hands for busy families.

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Child sorting colourful wooden peg dolls, Montessori style
Learning Through Discovery

How It Works

A considered, personal process

01

Consultation

We begin with a detailed conversation about your family, routines, values and exactly what you're looking for.

02

Curated Shortlist

You receive a hand-picked selection of interviewed, reference-checked candidates matched to your brief.

03

Interviews & Trials

We arrange interviews and trial days, guiding you at every stage until you've found the perfect fit.

04

Placement & Beyond

Contracts, guidance and ongoing support — with a replacement guarantee for complete peace of mind.

Common Questions

The questions we hear every day

What's the difference between a nanny, a junior nanny and an au pair?
Nannies are accomplished professionals offering full- or part-time care, shaped entirely around your family's rhythm. Nanny housekeepers pair devoted childcare with the graceful running of your home. Junior nannies bring one to three years' experience — a lovely balance of capability, energy and value. Au pairs join your family on a live-in, cultural exchange basis, ideally suited to wrap-around school care; please note that au pairs do not take sole charge of children under two. We also place after-school nannies for dependable term-time, wrap-around care.
What should we expect to invest in our childcare?
Registration is entirely free of charge. As a guide: live-out nannies and nanny housekeepers are typically from £25 gross per hour full-time — part-time and after-school roles from £28, live-in from £18; junior nannies £300–450 net per week for 25–30 hours; and au pairs £200–300 net per week for 25–30 hours. Our placement fee is payable only once you've found your perfect match — for au pairs, from £1,490+VAT per annum. For a personalised figure, our cost calculator is a moment away.
How does the matching process work?
It begins with a conversation. Once you've registered, we take time to understand your family, your routines and what matters most to you. You'll then receive a small, thoughtfully curated shortlist — every candidate screened and interviewed, and introduced only where the interest is mutual. We guide you through interviews and the offer, prepare the contract, and remain by your side as your childcarer settles in.
How are candidates vetted?
Rigorously, and personally. Every candidate is interviewed by our own team, with references verified and criminal record checks (DBS or the country's equivalent) completed. You'll review each candidate's full profile — references, interview notes and photographs — before you meet anyone. Quite simply, we only introduce people we would welcome into our own homes.
How are we supported once our childcarer arrives?
Thoughtfully, and for as long as you need us. You'll receive our family handbook and preparation guidance ahead of your childcarer's arrival, training resources for them, settling-in check-ins for you — and a team who always answer. For complete peace of mind, a replacement policy is included on select service levels.
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About Us

A boutique agency built on trust

Smart Childcare Agency was founded on a simple belief: exceptional childcare begins with exceptional people. We are a small, dedicated team who know every candidate personally and every family by name.

We never send CVs at scale. Each match is considered, each placement is supported, and each relationship is built to last.

  • Every candidate personally interviewed
  • Enhanced DBS checks & verified references
  • Paediatric first-aid encouraged for all placements
  • Dedicated consultant from first call to placement
  • Replacement guarantee on every placement
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Our Fees

A fair, fixed fee — never a percentage

Our placement fees are fixed and payable only when you hire — no upfront costs, no percentages of salary, no hidden extras. Every placement includes our replacement guarantee and ongoing support.

£0Registration Fee
FixedPlacement Fees
IncludedReplacement Guarantee
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Get In Touch

Let's find your perfect match

Whether you're a family in search of outstanding childcare or a childcare professional seeking your next role, we'd love to hear from you.

Emailhello@smartchildcareagency.com
Telephone+44 (0)330 111 9266
WhatsApp+44 (0)7912 178488
HoursMonday – Friday, 9am – 6pm
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We reply personally within one working day. Your details are never shared.