Nanny

First things first and in case you didn't know...

Nannies can play a vital role in not only meeting the physical and educational needs of children, but also in managing various nursery duties for busy, working parents. These duties can include preparing nutritious meals and organising outings to caring for the child during illness. Nannies take charge of household tasks, such as cleaning and organising designated areas, as well as laundering and repairing the child's clothes and toys. Additionally, nannies travel with the child for holidays or weekend visits. In summary, nannies are dedicated professionals who contribute significantly to the holistic growth and well-being of the children under their care.

Norland Nannies are considered the best of the best & are different from other nannies, including how they dress, which is the Norland uniform. Norland Nannies also go above and beyond with their ‘normal’ childcare skills, which Emily discusses in the chat. Norland Nannies are the cream of the crop and are much sought after by high-profile parents, including royalty.

CHECK OUT EMILY'S PODCAST

Key skills/talents

To be a successful nanny in the UK, several skills and qualities are valuable. Here are some key skills needed:

THOROUGH childcare Skills: Strong knowledge of child development, age-appropriate activities, and the ability to meet the physical and emotional needs of children.
Communication Skills: Effective communication with both children and parents is crucial. This includes providing updates on the child's well-being, discussing any concerns, and maintaining open and clear lines of communication.
Patience and Flexibility: Dealing with children requires patience and adaptability. Nannies should be able to handle unexpected situations calmly and adjust to changes in routines.
Organisational Skills: Nannies often have to manage multiple tasks, from planning activities to keeping the children's belongings organised. Good organisational skills are essential.
First Aid and Healthcare Skills: Basic first aid knowledge and the ability to respond appropriately in case of emergencies, including administering medication if required.
Cooking and Nutrition: The ability to prepare balanced and nutritious meals suitable for the children's age and dietary needs.
Time Management: Efficiently managing time to ensure that daily routines and activities run smoothly, including school drop-offs and pick-ups.
Creativity: Developing and implementing engaging and age-appropriate activities to promote the child's intellectual and creative development.
Initiative: Taking the initiative to identify and address the needs of the children without constant supervision, and being proactive in creating a safe and stimulating environment.
Trustworthiness: Nannies are often entrusted with the care of children, and trust is a critical factor. Parents need to feel confident that their children are in capable and reliable hands.
Respect for Privacy: Respecting the privacy of the family and maintaining confidentiality regarding personal and sensitive information.
Driving Skills: Depending on the family's requirements, having a valid driver's licence and being comfortable with driving might be necessary for school runs or outings.

These skills, combined with a genuine love for children and a firm commitment to their well-being, contribute to a successful career as a nanny. Formal qualifications in childcare or relevant certifications can enhance one's prospects in this profession.

Qualifications required

There are no specific legal requirements or mandatory qualifications to become a nanny in the UK; however, nannies are heavily regulated.

Having relevant qualifications and training can enhance your chances of securing a nanny position and may be preferred by families looking for experienced and well-educated candidates. College courses are available and include:

Level 1 Award in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children's and Young People's Settings
Level 1 Award in Safeguarding
Level 2 Certificate for the Children and Young People's Workforce

Apprenticeship training courses are also available, including the Early Years Practitioner (Level 2)course

Norland College offers two distinct and fully integrated qualifications that are unique to Norland: a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care degree and the prestigious Norland diploma.

Rules and regs

Although nannies are not required to be registered with Ofsted, many are, and it is generally expected that you will be. If you do wish to be registered with Ofsted, this link will give you details as to their requirements: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nanny-ofsted-requirements

This link from the NHS covers the basics in terms of child safety and first aid: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/first-aid-and-safety

You will need to be trained in first aid and here are a couple of courses with St John’s Ambulance:

https://www.sja.org.uk/courses/workplace-first-aid

https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/first-aid-advice/paediatric-first-aid

All Nannies must have an enhanced DBS check: https://www.gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-record

There is also legislation around self employment, workplace pensions etc as well as employment law, including your contract of working with your family. Nannytax is an excellent website that covers this and more: https://www.nannytax.co.uk

Insurance is a must for nannies. Again, Nannytax has its own, called Nannyinsure and it is a specialist Nanny public liability insurance policy, recognised by Ofsted: https://www.nannytax.co.uk/nanny-insurance

Remuneration framework

The average nanny salary in the United Kingdom is £27,300 per year or £14 per hour. Entry level positions start at £23,400 per year while most experienced workers make up to £44,000 per year. Locations, hours and overall role requirements (level of work/responsibility) can sway earnings considerably.

https://www.nannytax.co.uk/nanny-salary-index

And this gives the Norland salary breakdown: https://www.norland.ac.uk/salaries-fees

It is worth noting that a lot of nannies are ‘live-in’, during the week anyway; meaning they are provided with free accommodation, food and of course household bills… On top of their actual earnings.

How to get started

There are many courses open to you, and Nannytax has a list of whom they consider the best: https://www.nannytax.co.uk/news/top-6-nanny-training-courses

As always, the official GOVT page is always good to read through: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/nanny

The Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY) has links to many courses too, from starter college courses to university degree level: https://www.pacey.org.uk/training-and-qualifications/childcare-qualifications

City & Guilds also offer courses ranging from Levels 1 through 5: https://www.cityandguilds.com/qualifications-and-apprenticeships/children/childcare

Apprenticeships are available and can be searched, by area, on the Government website: https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch?_ga=2.3790704.1339069466.1709291313-488498920.1703168307

For details on the highly sought after Norland degree courses click here: https://www.norland.ac.uk/application-process

And of course, as we always say on TWW - GET SOME WORK EXPERIENCE ASAP! Which means either basic baby-sitting support alongside whatever else you are doing, or perhaps ‘informal’ nannying for people you know.

Nannying really won’t be for everyone; it’s long hours and quite involved, so you really need to know that you enjoy it before attempting to pursue it as a career.

Associations or official bodies to register with

As previously advised, Nannies in the UK can register with Ofsted: https://www.gov.uk/become-childminder-nanny/register-nanny

UK Nanny are an association set up by nannies, for nannies, in the UK: https://uknanny.org

And if you have trained and qualified with Norland then you are already on their register and will be monitored and regulated by them: https://www.norland.ac.uk

Job site links

Nanny Job is a childcare agency with job listings throughout the UK: https://www.nannyjob.co.uk/childcare/Nanny/AnyRegion?results=15

Childcare.co.uk claims to have over 500,000 childcare jobs listed: https://www.childcare.co.uk/find/Jobs/Nanny