Nanny Regulation in the UK: The Road to Regulation
The Road to Nanny Regulation
The role of a nanny in the UK is crucial for many families, providing quality childcare and support in households across the country. However, despite the vital work that nannies do, the profession remains largely unregulated. This lack of oversight has sparked a growing campaign for reform, led by advocates like the association co-founders, Maria Culley and Allie Bell. This page delves into the current state of nanny regulation in the UK, the ongoing fight for change, and the leaders behind this important movement.

The Current State of Nanny Regulation in the UK
In the UK, the childcare profession is split into various categories, with nurseries, childminders, and au pairs falling under different regulatory frameworks. While childminders and nursery staff are required to adhere to certain standards and register with official bodies like Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education), nannies are not subject to the same mandatory oversight.
This means that nannies working in private households are not required to meet specific training, qualification, or safety standards. Although many families may opt for nannies with excellent reputations or voluntary registrations, (Ofsted Registered Nanny) there is no formal legal requirement for them to undergo background checks or professional development. This regulatory gap raises concerns about the consistency and quality of care provided by nannies across the country.
The Campaign for Regulation
Over recent years, there has been a growing movement advocating for the regulation of nannies, with campaigners calling for mandatory checks, training, and a national standard to be put in place. The previous nanny association, BAPN (British Association of Nannies) ran a campaign for many years called Regulation Matters, ran by Tricia Pritchard MBE, now retired. This push for reform did gain attention, but sadly nothing was changed, and now Allie and Maria aim to continue increasing awareness of the importance of safeguarding children and ensuring professional standards in all forms of childcare.

Nannies often play an integral role in a child’s development, and campaigners argue that this role should be treated with the same level of scrutiny and professionalism as other childcare providers. Introducing regulations for nannies would not only protect the children they care for but also offer parents peace of mind and create a more standardised profession for nannies themselves.
Maria Culley and Allie Bell: Leading the Fight for Change
At the forefront of this campaign are Maria Culley and Allie Bell, two passionate advocates for nanny regulation in the UK. Both have firsthand experience in the childcare sector and have witnessed the challenges and inconsistencies faced by nannies who work in unregulated environments.
Maria Culley
Maria Culley, a long-time nanny and childcare expert, has been vocal about the need for change. She has spent years pushing for increased regulation to ensure that all nannies, regardless of their working arrangement, are held to high standards of care.
Maria believes that proper training, qualifications, and safeguarding measures are essential to protect children and ensure that nannies are recognised as professionals.
Through public appearances, media interviews, and direct engagement with policymakers, Maria has been an influential voice in advocating for the establishment of mandatory registration and certification for nannies. Her efforts focus on closing the regulatory loophole and creating a more secure and respected profession for nannies.
Allie Bell
Allie Bell, another leading advocate, shares similar views and has played an instrumental role in the campaign for nanny regulation.
As a childcare specialist and parent, Allie understands the importance of ensuring that families have access to properly vetted and trained nannies, and does this day to day through her own nanny agency.
Allie has worked alongside Maria to raise awareness of the issue, organizing petitions and meetings with government officials.
Together, they continue their efforts to bring nanny regulation into the public eye, urging lawmakers to take immediate action to protect children and elevate the status of nannies and align all of the early years sector to a minimum standard in the UK.
The Road Ahead: What Does Regulation Look Like?
The campaign led by Maria Culley and Allie Bell envisions a comprehensive regulatory framework for nannies. Their proposed reforms include:
- Mandatory Background Checks: Ensuring that all nannies undergo enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks before employment.
- Standardised Training: Introducing minimum training requirements for nannies, including first aid, child development, and safeguarding.
- National Registry: Creating a national database where parents can verify that their nanny is registered and meets all necessary qualifications.
- Ongoing Professional Development: Encouraging nannies to participate in continued professional development to enhance their skills and knowledge.
The goal of these reforms is to ensure that every nanny in the UK is held to a high standard, providing families with the security of knowing their children are in safe and capable hands.
How You Can Support the Campaign
As the campaign continues to gain momentum, there are several ways that the public can support Maria and Allie, and others in their fight for nanny regulation:
- Sign Petitions: Look for petitions that call on the government to implement nanny regulation and add your name in support.
- Write to Your MP: Reach out to your local Member of Parliament and express your support for nanny regulation.
- Spread the Word: Share information about the campaign on social media and with your community to raise awareness.
- Attend Events: Keep an eye out for events, rallies, or public discussions where you can show your support for the cause.
The Road to Nanny Regulation in the UK will be long but necessary. With passionate advocates like Maria and Allie leading the charge, the future of childcare in the UK could soon see significant reform. Their work is a testament to the importance of creating a safe, professional, and regulated environment for nannies and the families who rely on them.
Together, they are making strides towards a more secure and professional nanny industry, ensuring that all children receive the care and protection they deserve.
If you believe in the importance of quality childcare and safeguarding, now is the time to join the movement for nanny regulation in the UK.
Together, We Can Create a Safer Future for Children
At the National Nanny Association, we’re dedicated to improving the nanny industry in the UK for the benefit of families and children. This is just the beginning of our journey to ensure all children in ALL settings are safeguarded, and we need your support!
We’re launching a petition urging the Government to require all nannies, tutors, and babysitters to hold a valid enhanced DBS check before starting their roles. This critical step will:
Create a safer environment for children
Protect Families
Align home-based care with other childcare settings
How this has never been law we really do not know-especially in 2025!
But we don’t want to stop there! Our vision is to:
Sign the petition now and be part of the change! Together, we can build a professional, trusted, and safe nanny industry in the UK.
Press-Interviews with Maria Culley & Allie Bell
Campaign Launches for Nanny Regulation- Interview with workingmums.co.uk
MP backs UK-wide Road to Nanny Campaign to guarantee safe and High-quality Childcare for Everyone-Interview with Robbie Moore MP
UK-wide Campaign Set-up to Guarantee Safe and High-quality Childcare for Everyone-Interview with mortonmichel.com
Next Government urged to regulate and ‘elevate’ the status of nannies-Interview with nurseryworld.co.uk
How nannies became a dying breed – and started charging six figures-Interview with The Telegraph