A home child carer, or nanny, looks after a child in the family's own home. For some families, for example those with a child with a physical or learning disabilities, children with autistic spectrum disorders or sensory problems, having childcare provided in the family home may be the preferred option. A home child carer is employed by the family who are responsible for paying the carer's tax and national insurance contributions.

Nannies are not required to register with Ofsted in England or the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW). However, to encourage quality of care, nannies can join the voluntary Ofsted register, or the Childcare Approval Scheme in Wales. Nannies that have chosen to register provide parents with the reassurance that they have had an enhanced CRB check, first-aid and basic childcare training.