Terms & Conditions
Last updated: October 2026
These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern the use of the introduction services provided by Little Penguins Nannies Ltd (“we”, “us”, “our”, “the Agency”) to families (“Families”, “Clients”) and childcare candidates (“Nannies”, “Candidates”) in the United Kingdom. By registering with us, requesting an introduction, or accepting an introduction, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
Please also read our Privacy Notice and Cookie Policy, which form part of our agreement with you.
1. Our Role as an Introduction Agency
Little Penguins Nannies Ltd operates as an introduction agency under the Employment Agencies Act 1973 and the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003. We introduce Nannies to Families seeking childcare; we do not employ, and are not the employer of, any Nanny we introduce.
Once a Family and Nanny agree to proceed, the Family becomes the Nanny’s employer and is solely responsible for the employment relationship, including the employment contract, salary, tax and National Insurance contributions, pension auto-enrolment, and compliance with UK employment law.
2. Definitions
- “Introduction” means the provision of a Nanny’s details to a Family, or a Family’s details to a Nanny, by the Agency, whether by profile, interview or trial.
- “Placement” means the point at which a Family and Nanny agree to enter into an employment relationship, whether written or verbal.
- “Introductory Period” means the 12-month period following an Introduction, during which these Terms continue to apply in relation to that Introduction.
- “Placement Pre-payment” means an advance payment made by a Family to arrange interviews with shortlisted Nannies, deducted in full from the final introduction fee as set out in Section 3.
- “Gross Annual Salary” means the Nanny’s annual salary before deduction of income tax, National Insurance and pension contributions. Where salary is agreed on a net, hourly, daily or weekly basis, it is converted to its gross annual equivalent for the purpose of calculating fees.
3. For Families
Registration & Introductions
Registering with the Agency and receiving a shortlist of candidate profiles is free of charge. We will take reasonable care to understand your requirements and introduce candidates we consider suitable, but we cannot guarantee that any particular candidate will accept a role, or that a Placement will result from an Introduction.
Placement Pre-payment
To arrange interviews with shortlisted Nannies, the Family makes a Placement Pre-payment of £60 (VAT inc.), which covers up to 3 interviews. Should the Family wish to interview further candidates, additional interviews are arranged in groups of up to 3, each with a further Placement Pre-payment of £60 (VAT inc.).
All Placement Pre-payments are deducted in full from the final introduction fee when the Family engages a Nanny through the Agency. If the Family decides not to proceed with any candidate, Placement Pre-payments are non-refundable, as they cover the work carried out on the Family’s search. If the Agency is unable to present suitable candidates for interview, the corresponding Placement Pre-payment will be refunded in full.
Fees
Our introduction fees are set out in full on our Fees & Pricing page, which forms part of these Terms. Fees are calculated on the Nanny’s Gross Annual Salary and become payable once a Placement is confirmed, less any Placement Pre-payments already made. Fees are invoiced directly to the Family. All fees are exclusive of VAT unless stated otherwise.
Replacement Guarantee
If a Placement ends within 8 weeks of the Nanny’s start date, through no fault of the Family, we will introduce a suitable replacement candidate free of charge, provided we are notified in writing within this period. The replacement guarantee does not apply where the Family has failed to meet its obligations as an employer, or where the Placement ends due to circumstances outside the Agency’s control.
Your Responsibilities as an Employer
As the Nanny’s employer, you are responsible for verifying references and qualifications to your own satisfaction, arranging a written employment contract, meeting National Minimum Wage and pension auto-enrolment obligations, and holding Employers’ Liability Insurance where legally required. We are happy to recommend trusted partners for payroll and insurance, but engaging them remains your decision and responsibility.
4. For Nannies
Registration Is Free
We never charge Nannies to register, to be considered for a role, or to receive an Introduction. Our introduction fees are paid entirely by Families.
If you ask us to, we can process your Enhanced DBS application for you, or book you onto a Paediatric First Aid course with our training partner. These services are optional, and any cost is confirmed with you in advance. You can arrange them yourself, and using them, or not, never affects whether we introduce you to a Family.
Vetting
As part of registration, we will ask you to provide references, evidence of relevant experience, and details of your Enhanced DBS certificate and, where held, Paediatric First Aid qualification. You confirm that all information you provide to us is accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge.
Your Employment Status
You acknowledge that the Agency is not your employer. Any employment relationship formed following an Introduction is between you and the Family directly, and you are responsible for agreeing your own terms of employment, including salary, working hours, and other conditions.
5. Direct Engagement Outside the Agency
Every Nanny introduced to a Family remains an Introduction of the Agency for the Introductory Period. If, within that period, the Family, or any family member, friend or associate to whom the Family passes the Nanny’s details, engages that Nanny in any capacity without completing the Placement through the Agency, the Family agrees to pay the introduction fee that would have applied had the Placement been made through the Agency, as set out on our Fees & Pricing page, less any Placement Pre-payments already made.
This applies whether the engagement is made directly or through another agency, and whether it is permanent, temporary, part-time or self-employed. The fee is payable within 14 days of the engagement starting and is calculated on the Nanny’s Gross Annual Salary in that engagement.
This Section applies to Families only. Nannies remain free to accept any role at any time.
6. Liability
We take great care in vetting the candidates we introduce, including verifying references and guiding candidates through the Enhanced DBS process. However, as we are not the employer of any Nanny, we cannot accept liability for the conduct, performance, or actions of a Nanny once a Placement has been made, or for a Family’s compliance with its obligations as an employer. Nothing in these Terms limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or for fraud.
7. Data Protection
We process personal data in accordance with our Privacy Notice. By registering with us, you consent to us processing your personal data for the purposes described there, including sharing relevant information with prospective Families or Nannies to facilitate an Introduction.
8. Complaints
If you are unhappy with any aspect of our service, please contact us in the first instance so we can try to resolve the matter directly. We take all feedback seriously and will respond as promptly as we can.
9. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales, and any disputes will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
10. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes to our services or for legal or regulatory reasons. The version published on our website at the time of your registration or Introduction will apply. Please check this page periodically to stay informed.
If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at admin@littlepenguinsnannies.com.
Little Penguins Nannies Ltd is registered in England and Wales under company number 17390946. Registered office: Shop 71, Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ, UK. ICO registration number: ZC220395.
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