A Day in the Life of a Professional Nanny

As a working nanny (and someone who now runs a nanny agency too), I’ve supported a lot of different families over the years. Every household has its own rhythm, its own little quirks, and its own version of “normal.”

When people ask what a nanny actually does all day, I find it helps to share a typical outline, especially in households where I’m supporting both school-aged children and little ones at home.

Of course, no two days are ever quite the same (toddlers tend to make sure of that), but here’s what a fairly typical day might look like -

7:30am – Arrival and Morning Chaos Prep

I arrive just as the day starts picking up speed, or occasionally when the toddler alarm clock hasn’t gone off and everyone’s had an unplanned lie-in (a rare and dangerous luxury). Usually though, one child’s half-dressed, the toddler has porridge in their hair, and someone’s urgently asking if it’s forest school today or whether anyone has seen the overdue library book.

We have a quick check-in about how the night went, anything to remember for the day ahead, and then… we’re off.

8:00am – Breakfast and the Great Shoe Hunt

Breakfast is part meal, part mild negotiation. Some kids eat like they’ve been starved for days, others want to debate the toast-to-butter ratio while pacing the kitchen. I’m packing bags, brushing teeth, finding lost jumpers, and gently reminding someone (for the fifth time) that shoes are not optional at school.

Eventually, we get out the door… or do we? Nope — someone needs a last-minute poo. Now we’re really out the door. Everyone’s fully clothed and no one’s crying — I count that as a win. Matching socks? Just a bonus.

8:45am – School Drop-Off

Out we go — walking, scooting, cycling, or driving — depending on the weather, moods, and how much energy everyone has.  Some mornings we’re skipping and jumping the whole way, others we’re walking at a very purposeful pace (with me secretly counting it as cardio). Some days we talk about dinosaurs or maths; other days it’s just a peaceful plod to the gate.

My aim is to keep things calm, steady, and send the older one into school feeling settled (and preferably not with breakfast still on their face).

9:00am – Toddler Time

With the older child at school, it’s time to focus on the toddler. This might be a local playgroup, a trip to the park, a visit to see friends, or a chilled morning at home with some toys and a lot of imagination. Maybe some messy play or baking—though “baking” at toddler level usually means more flour on the floor than in the bowl, which is all part of the fun.

I’m always observing where they’re at developmentally, but just as important is how they’re feeling. Some days call for big adventures; others are made for snuggles and stories under a blanket.

This is honestly one of my favourite parts of the day. Toddlers see the world in a completely magical way, and I get a front-row seat.

11:30am – Lunch and Wind-Down

Lunch is usually something simple and familiar. Toddlers like routine… until the day they suddenly don’t. That pasta they loved yesterday, today it’s being hurled across the room in protest. We roll with it.

After lunch, we wind down, some quiet play, a walk in the buggy, a stack of books, or a bit of time just cuddled up on the sofa singing songs.

1:00pm – Nap / Quiet Time

If the little one naps, this is the moment to reset: tidy up, prep dinner, throw in some laundry, or set up an afternoon activity. If naps are a thing of the past, we have quiet time, puzzles, drawing, audio stories, something gentle to give us both a breather.

This pause in the middle of the day helps everything flow better after.

2:45pm – Wake-Up and School Run, Part Two

If the toddler’s still asleep, I wake them as gently as possible (a delicate art), offer a snack, and get us both out the door. I always bring something for the older child too, let’s face it, they come out of school ravenous and slightly feral. A quick catch-up over snacks helps them decompress after their busy day.

3:30pm – The After-School Window

The afternoon varies. Some days we’re heading straight out again for clubs or activities, other days it’s all about winding down at home.

Sometimes its lovely, kids playing nicely, a board game on the go, a little activity I set up earlier being enjoyed. Other days it’s absolute chaos: snack demands, arguments over

LEGO, someone refusing to do homework, and me acting as a referee while trying to chop carrots.

This is often where the best moments happen, in between the noise and the snack requests, there’s the funny stories, random questions, and little glimpses into their day.

5:00pm – Dinner and Wrap-Up

Dinner can be a lovely end to the day... or the moment it all unravels. The wrong colour plate, someone else's peas too close to their pasta, it happens. We take it in stride, one bite at a time.

Afterwards, I do a quick tidy, prep for the next day, and hand over to the parents with the highs, lows, and everything in between.

Some evenings end with stories, cuddles and calm. Others end with a pile of rice cakes under the sofa and someone claiming they’re “definitely not tired” while rubbing their eyes. Either way, it’s all part of the day.

The Bigger Picture

Nannying isn’t just about nappies, snacks and pick-ups (though there's a lot of that). It’s about showing up, every day, with care, patience, and a willingness to meet children where they are. It’s being the calm in the chaos. The backup. The bridge between a busy family life and what helps it all run more smoothly.

I still work as a nanny part-time alongside running Your Nanny Friend, and that’s very much intentional. It keeps me grounded in the real work we do, the kind that doesn’t always show up on paper, but makes a huge difference in daily life.

If you’re looking for someone who gets it, from both sides of the fence, I’d love to help.

📩 info@yournannyfriend.com🌐 www.yournannyfriend.com