​Frequently Asked Questions - Astrid & Flo Household Staffing Agency

For Families...

1. What types of staff do you place?

We specialise in placing experienced Nannies/Mannies, Governesses, Housekeepers, House Managers, Butlers, Domestic Couples, Private Chefs, and Personal Assistants in London, Dubai, across the UK, and internationally

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2. How do you vet your candidates?

Every candidate goes through a meticulous screening process including an in-depth interview, reference checks, Enhanced DBS (or international equivalent), and verification of qualifications such as Paediatric First Aid and childcare certifications

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3. How long does it take to hire household staff?

Timelines vary depending on the role. For straightforward nanny and housekeeper roles we can often present shortlisted candidates within 1–2 weeks and sometimes within a day or 2, with the candidate starting the role 1 week later. For specialist, sometimes after-school/part-time or senior household positions, the process may take longer to ensure the right match or because of less demand for the role, amongst other potential factors.

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4. Do you provide contracts?

Yes, if required, we provide a bespoke employment contract template and NDA for every placement, ensuring both families and staff are legally protected.

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5. Do I need to put my nanny or housekeeper on payroll?
Yes, in the UK all staff must be legally employed through payroll with tax and National Insurance contributions. We can introduce you to trusted payroll providers to handle this seamlessly.

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6. Can staff travel with us internationally?
Absolutely – many of our candidates are experienced travellers with valid UK/EU passports or visas and are happy to accompany families worldwide.

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7. What salary should I expect to pay?

Salaries vary by role, experience, whether the role is live-in or live-out and location of role, amongst other factors. As a guide:

·       Nannies/Mannies: £40,000–£70,000+ gross per year (depending on live-in or out)

·       Housekeepers: £40,000–£55,000+ gross per year (depending on live-in or out)

·       Governesses: £55,000–£100,000+ gross per year

·       House Managers: £60,000–£100,000+ gross per year

We will advise you on market rates to ensure your role is competitive.

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8. What happens if the candidate doesn’t work out?

We offer a guarantee period (further details in our Terms) where if the placement doesn’t work out, we will provide a free replacement search and/or refund.

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For Candidates...

1. What kind of families do you work with?
We work with a range of HNW and UHNW families, high-profile families in the public eye, professionals, and expatriates across London, Dubai, Europe, and globally.

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2. Do I need formal qualifications to register?
Not always. For roles like Nannies and Governesses, we prefer candidates with a Level 3 childcare qualification or teaching background. For Housekeepers, proven private household experience is essential. It also very much depends on the family requirements. 

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3. Do I need to speak more than one language?
Not required, but families often love candidates who speak French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, or Russian in addition to English.

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4. How do I register with Astrid & Flo?
Simply submit your CV through our website or email us directly. If your profile matches current roles, a consultant will contact you for an interview.

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5. Will I be charged a fee?
No – our services are completely free for candidates. Families are responsible for agency fees.

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6. Can you help me with contracts and payroll?
Yes – we ensure you receive a fair employment contract and can connect you with payroll providers.

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General Questions...

1. Where are you based?
We are based in London and Dubai, but we place household staff worldwide.

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2. Why choose Astrid & Flo?
We are a boutique, highly personalised agency with backgrounds in private household management, executive assistance and nannying. We understand what families need and pride ourselves on matching not just skills, but personalities and values.

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3. How do I get started?

• Families: Contact us to discuss your needs or fill in our registration form on our website. We’ll take a detailed brief and start the search immediately.

• Candidates: Send us your CV and supporting documents, apply for a role on our website or fill in our registration form on our website. If suitable, we’ll arrange an interview and put you forward for roles.

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