Written by Fanny Di Domenicantonio, Director of Fox & Cubs, Nanny & Private Staff Agency, in collaboration with French Touch Properties.
Relocating internationally can be both exciting and demanding for families. London remains one of the most attractive destinations for professionals moving abroad, offering world-class schools, diverse neighbourhoods and a rich cultural life. But for children especially, the transition takes time and the right support makes a significant difference to how smoothly it unfolds.
This article was written in collaboration with French Touch Properties, exploring how families relocating to London can create stability and routine when settling into a new home.
The challenges of settling in
When families move internationally, children often need considerable time to adapt to new schools, new languages and unfamiliar social environments. At the same time, parents are frequently managing demanding professional commitments while navigating systems and structures they have never encountered before.
One aspect that surprises many relocating families is the structure of the British school day. Children often finish school around mid-afternoon, well before the working day ends for most parents. Without a clear plan in place, this gap can quickly become a source of daily stress during an already demanding period of transition.
Childcare solutions for relocating families
For many families arriving in London, working with a live-out nanny is the most practical first step. A live-out nanny can manage school pick-ups, after-school activities and homework routines, providing children with a consistent and familiar presence during the hours when parents are still at work. For children adjusting to a new country, that consistency matters enormously.
Some households prefer the continuity of a live-in nanny, particularly when parents travel frequently or work unpredictable hours. Having a trusted professional present within the home can help children feel genuinely secure during a period of significant change, regardless of what is happening around them.
In other homes, a nanny housekeeper supports both childcare and the day-to-day organisation of the household a particularly practical arrangement for families who are simultaneously managing a new home, new routines and new professional environments.
Families welcoming a newborn during or shortly after a relocation may also benefit from working with a maternity nurse, who provides expert guidance and reassurance during the early weeks while helping to establish calm routines from the very start.
How Fox & Cubs can help
At Fox & Cubs, we regularly support families relocating to London by introducing carefully vetted childcare professionals who help create calm, stable environments within the home. We understand the specific pressures of international relocation and the importance of getting the right support in place quickly, without compromising on quality or compatibility.
Our team takes time to understand each family’s circumstances their schedule, their children’s ages and personalities, the level of flexibility required before making any introduction. The result is a placement that works from day one, rather than one that simply fills a gap.
If you are planning a relocation to London and would like to discuss childcare support, get in touch with your team we would be glad to help you prepare.
Fox & Cubs insight
“Relocating internationally is one of the most significant transitions a family can go through. Children take their cues from the stability around them, and having a trusted, consistent nanny in place from the earliest days in a new city can make an enormous difference to how quickly and confidently they settle. That stability is what we focus on helping families create.” Oceane, Partnership Manager, Fox & Cubs Nanny & Private Staff Agency.
Read the full article
This article was written in collaboration with Ségolène at French Touch Properties. To read the original piece in full, visit:
French Touch Properties — Relocating to London with Children
