How Leaman Consulting can help you find the right nanny

Choosing a nanny is an incredibly personal decision. For many families, the challenge is not simply finding someone with the right qualifications or experience, but finding someone who genuinely understands their children, their household and their way of life.

This is where working with a specialist childcare recruitment consultant can make a significant difference.

At Leaman Consulting, families are supported by Margaux Lemoine, Head of Childcare and Education, who specialises in the recruitment of nannies, maternity nurses, governesses and private educators.
Margaux brings a particularly valuable perspective to the process because she has worked as a nanny herself, giving her first-hand insight into both sides of the placement process.

Her experience means that she understands what families are looking for, while also knowing what makes an exceptional childcare professional successful within a private household.

A genuinely personal approach

Margaux does not believe in simply sending families a selection of CVs and asking them to choose.

The first step is to understand the family in detail.

This includes discussing the children's personalities, routines, educational needs and interests, as well as understanding the parents' expectations and the wider household environment.

For example, a family may say they are looking for a "full-time nanny", but the actual requirement could be much more specific. They may need someone who is:

• Highly experienced with babies or young children
• Confident supporting school-aged children academically
• Fluent in a particular language
• Experienced in international travel
• Comfortable working alongside other household staff
• Able to drive
• Particularly discreet and accustomed to UHNW environments
• Energetic and outdoors-oriented
• Experienced with children who have additional or specific educational needs
• Comfortable working within a formal household structure
• Flexible enough to adapt to an international family's changing schedule

Understanding these nuances before beginning the search allows Margaux to create a much more accurate brief and identify candidates who genuinely fit the family's requirements.

Matching personality, not just experience

One of the most important parts of Margaux's role is looking beyond the CV.

A candidate may have excellent qualifications and years of nannying experience, but that does not automatically make them the right nanny for a particular family.

Margaux considers the candidate's personality, communication style, values, childcare philosophy and previous working environments alongside their professional experience.

She looks at questions such as:

Will this nanny naturally connect with the children?

Will their approach to childcare complement the parents' parenting style?

Will they be comfortable within the family's lifestyle?

Can they work effectively alongside other household staff?

Do they have the maturity and judgement required for the role?

Are they likely to build a long-term relationship with the family?

This emphasis on compatibility is particularly important in private childcare, where the nanny becomes a trusted and highly visible part of family life.

A consultant who understands the nanny's perspective too

Margaux's own experience as a professional nanny gives her an understanding of the realities of the job that goes beyond recruitment.

She understands the importance of clear expectations, good communication, appropriate boundaries and a strong relationship between the family and nanny.

This is valuable when creating a position that will attract exceptional candidates.

A strong candidate is also assessing the family. They want to understand the working environment, expectations, schedule, children, household structure and long-term prospects.

By ensuring that both sides have a clear understanding of the role from the outset, Margaux helps create a more transparent and positive recruitment process.

Access to an experienced childcare network

Leaman Consulting has developed a specialist network of childcare professionals, allowing Margaux to conduct searches for families in the UK and internationally.

The Childcare & Education division supports families looking for experienced nannies, governesses, maternity nurses and educators, with searches shaped around each family's individual requirements.

This can be particularly valuable for families looking for a highly specific profile.

Perhaps you need a French-speaking nanny in London, an experienced travelling nanny, a rota nanny for an international household, a nanny-governess with strong educational experience or a maternity nurse with extensive newborn expertise.

Rather than taking a broad approach, Margaux can focus the search around the exact combination of skills and experience required.

Careful candidate assessment and vetting

Finding candidates is only one part of the process. The quality of the shortlist matters just as much.

Leaman Consulting's approach is deliberately selective, with searches considering experience, references, presentation, judgement and long-term suitability rather than simply matching keywords on a CV.

Margaux can guide families through the assessment process, helping them understand the strengths and potential considerations of each candidate.

References and relevant documentation should also be carefully checked before an appointment is finalised. This provides families with greater confidence when making what is often a very significant decision.

Support throughout the interview process

For families who do not regularly recruit private household staff, interviewing a nanny can sometimes be difficult.

What questions should you ask?

What should you look for in their answers?

How do you compare two candidates who appear equally strong on paper?

Margaux can help families navigate these decisions, providing practical insight throughout the interview and selection process.

Scenario-based questions can be particularly useful when assessing a nanny's judgement. Rather than simply asking what responsibilities they have had in previous roles, families can explore how they would respond to real situations involving children's behaviour, routines, travel, school, communication and unexpected changes.

Where appropriate, Margaux can also advise on arranging a trial period so that both the family and nanny have an opportunity to experience working together.

Support beyond the initial introduction

A successful nanny placement does not end when a candidate accepts the position.

The transition into a new household is important, particularly when the nanny is becoming responsible for young children and joining an established team.

Clear communication around responsibilities, schedules, boundaries, communication and expectations can help create a positive start.

Margaux remains available to support families through the process, helping to ensure that expectations are understood on both sides and that the placement gets off to the strongest possible start.

International and travelling nanny recruitment

For internationally mobile families, finding the right nanny can be even more complex.

A travelling nanny may need to be comfortable with international flights, changing time zones, different residences, long-haul travel and unfamiliar environments. They may also need to work alongside a wider household or family office team.

Margaux has experience supporting families with international childcare requirements and can help assess whether a candidate's previous experience genuinely prepares them for this lifestyle.

Leaman Consulting works with private families across the UK, Europe and internationally, with searches tailored to the specific requirements of each household.

A discreet and confidential service

For private families, confidentiality is fundamental.

The recruitment process may involve discussing children's routines, family travel, residences, household structures and other personal information. Families need to feel confident that their information is handled professionally and discreetly.

Leaman Consulting's recruitment model is built around confidential, consultant-led searches, with a focus on discretion, trust and long-term relationships.

For Margaux, this means taking the time to understand the family privately, conducting the search carefully and only introducing candidates who are genuinely relevant to the brief.

Why work with Margaux rather than recruit alone?

Recruiting a nanny independently can involve reviewing dozens of CVs, conducting multiple interviews, checking references and managing negotiations, all while trying to continue with the demands of family life.

Working with a specialist childcare consultant gives families another layer of expertise.

Margaux can help you:

• Define exactly what you need from your nanny
• Establish a realistic salary and benefits package
• Identify the right type of childcare professional
• Access a specialist network of candidates
• Assess experience and cultural fit
• Conduct thorough candidate screening
• Coordinate interviews and trials
• Guide you through references and checks
• Discuss employment expectations
• Support salary and offer negotiations
• Provide guidance throughout the appointment process
• Remain available as the placement develops

Most importantly, Margaux takes the time to understand your family, rather than treating your vacancy as just another job description.

Finding the right nanny is about finding the right person

There is no universal definition of an exceptional nanny.

For one family, it may be an experienced French-speaking nanny who can support young children's development. For another, it may be a highly educated nanny-governess who can work alongside tutors and schools. For another, it could be an experienced rota nanny who is comfortable travelling internationally and working within a large household team.

The right candidate is the person whose experience, personality, values and working style fit naturally with your family.

That is why a personalised search matters.

Margaux Lemoine, Head of Childcare and Education at Leaman Consulting, combines professional nanny experience with specialist recruitment expertise to help families identify exceptional childcare professionals who are suited not only to the role, but to the family behind it.

If you are considering hiring a private nanny, governess, maternity nurse or private educator, Margaux can provide a confidential initial conversation to understand your requirements and advise you on the best approach.

Contact Leaman Consulting to discuss your childcare recruitment needs.