Question 1

How does cocorio work?

Accepted Answer

Sign up on our platform and tell us about your family and childcare needs. We'll match you with a vetted creative nanny who fits your schedule, location, and preferences. You can book regular weekly care, flexible hours, or on-demand sessions.

Question 2

How much does a nanny cost in London?

Accepted Answer

For regular weekly care, cocorio offers membership plans that include vetting, matching and ongoing support. Alternatively, you can buy on-demand hourly credits for flexible, pay-as-you-go bookings. In both cases, you'll also pay the creative nanny's hourly rate when they're on the clock. Visit our pricing page for full details — all prices are inclusive of VAT, insurance, and agency fees.

Question 3

Do you provide nannies in my area of London?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We have 1,000+ vetted creative nannies across London and the surrounding areas, covering Kensington, Chelsea, Notting Hill, Fulham, Clapham, Battersea, Hampstead, Richmond, Wimbledon, and many more. Tell us your postcode and we'll match you with nannies nearby.

Question 4

Can I book an emergency babysitter or last-minute nanny?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Our On Demand plan is designed for exactly this — on demand, emergency, or backup care when you need it most. While we can't guarantee bookings made less than 2 working days in advance, we'll always try our best and can normally find a creative nanny at short notice.

Question 5

Do you offer after-school nannies?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Many of our families use cocorio for after-school care. Our creative nannies pick up from school and provide enriching activities — arts, music, outdoor play, homework help — until you're home. Available as part of our regular or flexible plans.

Question 6

Do you provide half-term and school holiday childcare?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer flexible childcare during half terms, Easter, summer, and Christmas holidays. Whether you need full days or a few hours, our creative nannies keep children engaged with fun, enriching activities throughout the holidays.

Question 7

Do you offer weekend or evening babysitters?

Accepted Answer

Yes — our Evening Babysitting plan covers date nights, events, or any time you need a trusted babysitter. Weekend daytime care is also available through our regular and on-demand plans.

Question 8

I'm worried about leaving my child with a stranger, what safety measures/checks are in place?

Accepted Answer

At cocorio, we always put the safety of children, families and our creative nannies at the forefront of our practice. We follow a very thorough recruitment process — all our creatives hold a valid Enhanced DBS check, recent First Aid training and have completed a Safeguarding course. We check childcare references for each candidate, ask for employment history and interview them. Once onboarded, our creatives also complete industry-specific training including Health and Safety, Safeguarding, age appropriate activities, and relationship building.

Question 9

Do your creatives have any childcare qualifications?

Accepted Answer

Our creatives are not required to have professional childcare qualifications and the nanny industry does not require formal qualifications, though some of our creatives may do. Throughout our recruitment process, we thoroughly assess each creative's experience through interview and collect references.

Question 10

Can I interview the candidates you present me with?

Accepted Answer

We do all the hard work of fully vetting and interviewing our creatives. If you'd like to chat with your potential future creative nanny, you can request a call with them prior to an initial session — on the phone, or a video call. We highly recommend booking an initial session to begin with, as you'll likely only know if someone is right for the job once you see them interacting with your little one(s)!

Question 11

Can I talk to the creative before the session?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we encourage you to speak to the creative nanny prior to the session and inform them of any requirements, expectations and house rules. We'll share phone numbers when you match and ask the creative nanny to get in touch.

Question 12

What ages do you cater to?

Accepted Answer

We provide care for children aged 0–18 years. We have different creatives catering to different age groups and will match you with someone experienced in working with your child's age group. We also provide age-appropriate activity training and ongoing support.

Question 13

What if my regular nanny is unavailable?

Accepted Answer

No problem! If your matched nanny is ever unavailable, we can usually arrange a suitable replacement so you're not left without cover, even if it's last minute. Just let us know as soon as possible to give us the best chance of finding a suitable cover.

Question 14

Can I choose my nanny?

Accepted Answer

We carefully match families with nannies based on your needs, but you'll always have the final say. If it's not the right fit, we'll find someone new. We'll ask for feedback throughout the matching process, so you can let us know if the match doesn't feel right.

Question 15

What's included in a session?

Accepted Answer

Every cocorio session includes creative, enriching activities tailored to your child — from arts and crafts to music, outdoor adventures, and educational play. Our nannies bring their unique talents to every interaction. They can also handle usual nanny tasks including pick-ups, drop-offs, prepping dinners, bedtimes and more.

Question 16

What is the cocorio method?

Accepted Answer

"A mix of music and movement and a sprinkle of art, all seasoned with the world's languages." This is the magic recipe that cocorio uses to create our unique Learning Journey. Our ingredients — Music, Movement, Art and Languages — are at the base of the creative experiences we provide. We treat creativity as a lifestyle, turning everyday moments like the walk home from school into a sensory treasure hunt or making setting the table an exciting relay race.

Question 17

What's the difference between a nanny and a babysitter?

Accepted Answer

A babysitter typically provides basic supervision, while a cocorio creative nanny delivers enriching, activity-led care tailored to your child's interests and development. Our nannies are vetted, trained, and bring creative skills — from music and art to languages and outdoor adventures.

Question 18

What if you don't have a creative with the skills I'm looking for?

Accepted Answer

Sign up and let us know — we may have just recruited someone fitting your brief who is finalising their onboarding!

Question 19

How do I sign up and get started?

Accepted Answer

It's simple — sign up on our platform, tell us about your family and childcare needs, and we'll take it from there. We'll help you choose a plan that's right for you, then send you matches to choose from. Once you've found your perfect creative nanny, you can start booking sessions right away.

Question 20

What happens if it's not the right fit with my nanny?

Accepted Answer

No problem at all. If your matched creative nanny isn't the right fit, just let us know and we'll find a new match. As you don't directly employ the nanny — they are self-employed through our agency — you can change nanny anytime with no admin required. You always have the final say — we want you and your children to feel completely comfortable.

Question 21

What happens in an emergency during a session?

Accepted Answer

All our creative nannies hold up-to-date paediatric first aid training and have completed safeguarding courses. In the event of an emergency, they'll follow established protocols — administer first aid if needed, contact emergency services, and notify you immediately. Your child's safety is always our top priority.

Question 22

Do nannies bring activities or do I need to provide materials?

Accepted Answer

Our creative nannies are resourceful and can work with whatever you have at home — but many also bring their own materials and activity ideas based on their creative specialism. You're welcome to discuss preferences with your nanny before a session.

Question 23

Can my nanny help with meals, bath time, or bedtime routines?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our creative nannies can help with everyday routines including preparing meals and snacks, bath time, and bedtime. Just let your nanny know your family's routines and preferences, and they'll follow your lead.

Question 24

How does pricing work?

Accepted Answer

cocorio uses a simple two-fee structure: a membership fee (taken weekly for recurring plans, or when on-demand hours are purchased) covering vetting, matching and support, plus a creative nanny hourly rate (paid directly for their time). All prices are inclusive of VAT, insurance and agency fees. Visit our pricing page for full details on each plan.

Question 25

What plans are available?

Accepted Answer

We offer Year-Round, Term-Time, Bespoke, Evening Babysitting, Nanny Share, and On Demand plans. Each is designed to suit different family needs — from regular weekly care to occasional sessions. Visit our pricing page for full details.

Question 26

Is the pricing the same if I have 2 children?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the rate is the same for two siblings unless their ages are very different and you require very different care/activities for each. See our pricing page for more details.

Question 27

Is there a minimum commitment?

Accepted Answer

Year-Round plans have a 46-week minimum. Term-Time covers 39 weeks. Bespoke requires a minimum of 184 hours averaged over the year. On Demand has no ongoing commitment — just buy credits when you need them. You can of course cancel within your membership year, but we do require a cancellation notice. See our pricing page for more details.

Question 28

Do I need to employ the nanny myself?

Accepted Answer

No! Our creative nannies are self-employed through our agency. You don't need to deal with payroll, taxes, or pension contributions. See our pricing page for how it works.

Question 29

Are taxes and insurance included in your rates?

Accepted Answer

Yes, taxes are included, along with agency fees (no membership required, no placement fees), contracts and administration, Enhanced DBS checks, regular training, and last minute replacements if a creative is unavailable. Visit our pricing page for full details.

Question 30

Do you accept childcare vouchers or free childcare hours?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately we do not. Only OFSTED-registered providers accept these. As our nannies work part-time in your home, OFSTED registration is not required.

Question 31

Who is the employer of the nanny?

Accepted Answer

We work with self-employed creative nannies, which means you do not need to employ them directly, and neither do we employ them for family placements. We provide full support and coordination, and all our nannies are covered by public liability insurance. This model works particularly well for flexible and part-time arrangements. For backup care as an employee benefit, we employ our nannies directly. Visit our pricing page for more.

Question 32

Are the listed hourly rates all-in?

Accepted Answer

There are two parts to our pricing. First, you pay an upfront weekly membership fee (for recurring plans) or purchase on demand hourly credits upfront. Then, the creative nanny rate starting from £15/hour is charged after the nanny clocks out. All pricing includes agency fees and VAT. See our pricing page for full details.

Question 33

Can I structure an initial 3-month term then reduce hours?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can structure an initial term (e.g. 30–40 hours/week), and if you anticipate a reduction afterwards (e.g. down to ~8 hours/week), we can plan this as a continuation under a separate arrangement. We'll guide you through setting this up so it transitions smoothly. See our pricing page for plan options.

Question 34

Do you offer discounts for prepayment?

Accepted Answer

We no longer offer prepayment discounts. Instead, pricing is structured based on whether you require term-time or year-round support, and whether the role is above or below 16 hours per week. See our pricing page for details.

Question 35

What happens if I need to cancel early or have unused time?

Accepted Answer

You'll have a holiday allowance within your membership, so you can let us know on our platform which weeks you won't need your creative, and you won't be charged for those weeks. In other weeks, if you need to cancel or reschedule, please communicate with your creative to reallocate your hours. If your plans have changed and you need to cancel your membership, get in touch with the cocorio team via the Help page on the platform. Visit our pricing page for plan details.

Question 36

Do you have a minimum hour policy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we have a minimum booking of 2 hours to ensure sessions are long enough for children and creatives to connect and engage in fun creative activities, and to cover travel time and costs. If you'd like to make shorter bookings, contact the cocorio team on the Help page of the platform, as some of our creatives are available for shorter sessions. See our pricing page for details.

Question 37

How do I pay?

Accepted Answer

Once you're signed up to our platform, we'll ask for your card details. These are securely stored via Stripe. We'll then take payments from this card. You'll have full oversight of all payments on the platform.

Question 38

What if I need to cancel my booking?

Accepted Answer

We encourage you to reschedule your hours with the same creative where possible, so you don't lose the hours and the creative doesn't miss out on work. If this isn't possible, we can provide a cover creative for a rescheduled booking. Please avoid last-minute cancellations where possible, as this can affect ongoing relationships with your creatives.

Question 39

How far in advance can I book?

Accepted Answer

There's no limit to how far in advance you can book. We can also usually match last-minute bookings with a creative nanny as we have a large pool of available creative nannies, but we can't always guarantee last-minute availability.

Question 40

Can I pause my membership?

Accepted Answer

We've factored holiday allowance into our membership plans, after working with many families and understanding their need for flexibility. Have a look at our different plans on our pricing page to understand the holiday allowance for each. When you submit your form to find a creative nanny match, you can let us know which weeks you'll be taking holiday, and you can update this during your membership too. If you need to pause for a longer period of time, get in touch with the cocorio team on the Help page of the platform.

Question 41

What's the notice period for cancelling my plan?

Accepted Answer

Each plan has an agreed notice period which is outlined when you sign up. If your plans change before confirming a booking, you're free to adjust or reconsider. Once you've entered a plan, the agreed notice period applies. Visit our pricing page for plan details.

Question 42

Are there any additional fees I should know about?

Accepted Answer

Our pricing is transparent and all-in — rates include VAT, insurance, and agency fees. Visit our pricing page for full details.

Question 43

What corporate childcare services do you offer?

Accepted Answer

We provide event childcare (conferences, away days, parties), workplace crèche staffing, holiday clubs, corporate children's entertainment, childcare as an employee benefit, and bespoke childcare solutions for organisations of all sizes.

Question 44

Do you provide childcare for corporate events in London?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We specialise in corporate event childcare across London and the surrounding areas. From conferences and galas to team away days, we provide experienced, DBS-checked creative nannies who keep children entertained while parents focus on the event.

Question 45

Can you set up a workplace crèche or holiday club?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We staff workplace crèches year-round and run holiday clubs during school breaks. We handle everything from staffing and activities to risk assessments and compliance.

Question 46

How far in advance should we book?

Accepted Answer

We recommend booking as early as possible for large events, but we can accommodate last-minute requests too. Get in touch and we'll do our best to help.

Question 47

Do you provide risk assessments?

Accepted Answer

Yes, risk assessments are included as standard for all corporate bookings. We take health and safety seriously and ensure full compliance.

Question 48

Is there a minimum number of children for an event booking?

Accepted Answer

There's no strict minimum — we can cater for intimate gatherings through to large-scale events. We'll tailor the number of creative nannies to suit the size and nature of your event.

Question 49

Do you provide childcare outside London?

Accepted Answer

While we're primarily London-based, we can arrange childcare for events and corporate bookings outside London depending on location and requirements. Get in touch and we'll let you know what's possible.

Question 50

How does pricing work for corporate bookings?

Accepted Answer

Corporate pricing is tailored to your needs — it depends on the type of service, number of children, duration, and location. We'll provide a detailed quote after an initial consultation. Sign up and schedule a call with the team to get started.

Question 51

How do I become a creative nanny in London?

Accepted Answer

Apply through our website! We're always looking for talented, creative individuals — artists, musicians, teachers, sports coaches, and more. You'll need an Enhanced DBS check, first aid, and employment references. We provide training and ongoing support.

Question 52

What qualifications do I need?

Accepted Answer

Experience is more important to us than qualifications! You'll need an enhanced DBS check, a first aid certificate, and employment references. For part-time nanny roles, at least one year's nannying experience is required. For backup care, at least two years' sole charge experience.

Question 53

Do I need childcare experience?

Accepted Answer

You'll need at least one year's childcare experience, which could be in a range of settings including arts clubs, schools, and more, for our creative nanny role. For our backup care role, you'll need at least two years' sole charge nanny experience.

Question 54

How do I get paid?

Accepted Answer

You'll be required to clock in and out with your hours and you'll be paid after each shift for creative nanny roles. For backup care roles, you'll be paid monthly.

Question 55

Can I choose my own hours?

Accepted Answer

For creative nanny roles, you're self-employed and will typically have a set regular schedule with one family. For backup care roles, you're employed by cocorio and can choose your own shifts.

Question 56

Do you check your creative nannies' references?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For creative self-employed roles, we require two references, one of which can be a character reference. For backup care roles, we require three years' worth of references.

Question 57

Are your creative nannies OFSTED registered?

Accepted Answer

Because we specialise in part-time childcare, we do not require our nannies to register with OFSTED as it can be administratively burdensome for a part-time role. OFSTED registration is not necessarily a benchmark of quality for a nanny — there are many excellent, experienced nannies who aren't registered.

Frequently Asked Questions

For Families

Pricing & Plans (Families)

For Businesses

For Creative Nannies

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