Nanny

Introduction

Nannies look after children in private homes, usually when their parents (or lone parent, guardian or carer) go out to work. They understand how children develop, and work closely with the children and their families to support the care and education of the child.

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Work Activities

Nannies' duties vary depending on the age and abilities of the children they care for. Nannies who look after babies and very young children are responsible for dressing, feeding and changing them, and for comforting them when they are upset. They must pay strict attention to hygiene when they prepare food or make up babies' bottles.

Some nannies are responsible for domestic tasks like cleaning, cooking, tidying up children's rooms, and sometimes washing and ironing their clothes.

Play is very important for the child's physical, creative and imaginative development. Nannies use books, toys and other activities to stimulate the child. They may organise trips, or go to parks so the children they look after can meet and play with other children. Babies and younger children must have to opportunity to play with simple toys that help them develop their senses and learn about the world around them. Nannies support and encourage older children with important skills like reading and number work.

Establishing a good relationship with the parents is very important. Nannies and parents should talk regularly, to make sure the child is happy and stimulated. Together, nannies and parents may plan the child's diet, discuss books, activities and trips, and the standard of behaviour that is acceptable from the child. Nannies must keep a very close watch on the children's health and safety. They must let parents know if they have noticed any changes in the child's habits, for example, if they seem to be off their food.

Nannies may take older children to school, or baby-sit if parents go out for the evening.

Working hours for nannies can be long and irregular, and include some evenings and weekends. There may be opportunities to work abroad. Sometimes families ask their nanny to go on holiday with them to continue looking after the children.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

As a nanny, you must enjoy looking after babies and children. A sense of fun, stamina and lots of energy are useful qualities.

Patience and tolerance are very important: you must be able to cope with noise and constant demands for your attention. You must be able to use initiative, stay calm under pressure and in emergencies, and be able to make decisions on your own. Reliability is essential.

You will need an understanding of children's physical, social, intellectual and emotional development. Together with parents, you must be able to plan trips and use toys, books and other activities to encourage safe and fun learning. You should be creative and imaginative, enjoy playing with children and helping them to read.

You should have a friendly and open relationship with parents, and be able to discuss issues such as the child's happiness, achievements, diet and behaviour.

A clean driving licence is normally needed, for example, to take children to school or on trips. Some employers prefer nannies to be non-smokers.

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Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates for nannies vary throughout the country and depending on whether they are live-in nannies, receiving food and accommodation, or daily nannies.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Earnings for nannies are in the range of £13,000 - £20,000 a year. Many families provide food and accommodation.

Working hours for nannies vary by arrangement with their employer. Whilst you should provide a flexible service, you should be assertive enough to negotiate duties, working hours, pay and conditions with the parents on an individual basis before you start work.

Employers throughout the UK are parents or guardians of young children.

Most jobs for nannies in Scotland tend to be part time and live-out. There are more full time live-in jobs in the south east of England.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Skills and abilities gained in childcare are an advantage and may enable you to complete a recognised training course in less than the usual time.

Colleges will usually consider applications from candidates who do not meet their usual entry requirements. You should check the admissions policy of individual colleges.

Some courses are organised on a flexible basis at local colleges of further education. Others are available on a part-time basis.

• 39% of people in occupations such as nanny work part-time.
• 2% have flexible hours.
• 4% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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