Temporary nanny and babysitter agency

Families needing flexible care, plus hotels, event organisers and employers who want childcare cover for staff or guests.

You charge the client an hourly rate and pay the worker a lower hourly rate. The difference covers your costs and profit, and some agencies add a booking fee.

• Scheduling and quick matching of people to bookings
• Careful vetting and record keeping
• Handling payroll or working with a payroll provider
• Calm, reliable customer service

• Agency worker and employment status rules: check the Agency Workers Regulations 2010 and how workers should be paid and taxed
• Employment agency conduct rules, including the ban on charging workers fees
• DBS checks, references and right-to-work checks for every worker
• Public liability, professional indemnity and, if you employ workers, employer's liability insurance
• Check whether Ofsted registration applies to your workers or the care you supply
• Late cancellations and no-shows can hit your reputation and margin
• Register with the ICO and keep children's and families' data secure

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on your set-up, insurance and how you recruit and check workers. Treat these as estimates and get real quotes before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your bookings and margins. Late cancellations and no-shows can hit your reputation and margin, so factor them into your plans.

Check the Agency Workers Regulations 2010, how workers should be paid and taxed, and the ban on charging workers fees. Also check DBS, reference and right-to-work checks, whether Ofsted registration applies, insurance, and ICO registration.