HOW DID THE CAMPAIGN START?
Covid highlighted the lack of knowledge and understanding of the nanny role when regulations and guidelines introduced by the Government were unclear, not relevant and unsuitable for the industry.
We also felt over the years that the industry has been a forgotten part of the early years, as we are not regulated providers.
WHAT ARE YOU CAMPAIGNING FOR?
We would like to see some sort of regulation/safer checks for nannies. To have some sort of register, ensuring, at the very minimum, that all nannies have DBS checks, a first-aid qualification, and childcare knowledge.
We also want to educate parents that the nanny industry is not regulated.
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF UNREGULATED NANNIES?
The entire early years and education industry is regulated, with checks in place to safeguard children. However, nannies, who are left unattended to care for children and infants, are not required to have any checks or safeguarding requirements. This means that almost anyone can become a nanny, without receiving any formal training or qualifications, putting the safety of children at risk. Luckily, our campaign has been set up to solve this issue, and we plan to push the campaign forward until we receive a positive outcome.
HOW FAR ARE YOU WITH THE CAMPAIGN AND WHAT ACTION DO YOU HAVE PLANNED?
We currently have a working report and will be meeting again with Robbie Moore MP when we have statistical data. The campaign is about six months old, but gaining traction.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES AS NANNIES.
Maria Culley: I worked my way up through private nurseries, from a Level 2 nursery nurse to room leader and management.
I transitioned to the nanny industry in 2012 and have continued my professional development to be the best nanny and advocate for the industry that I can be.
Allie Bell: I trained at Norland in 1990, gaining an NNEB and the Norland Diploma. I worked as a nanny for 12 years, and then also took up positions in a private nursery, in schools as a special needs teaching assistant, as a maternity nurse and night nanny. I have also done parent coaching.
Training at Norland was an excellent start as you really learn everything there is to caring for a child. You are also trained how to specifically work in the home and family environment, as well as having work experience in nurseries, schools and a hospital. They really try to give you an insight into most roles so you can decide what might fit best with your career going forward.
I now run a nanny agency, The Nanny Connection, which covers London. I worked for a previous brand for nine years. Every day is different, and I get the opportunity to meet so many different people and cultures. Sometimes it can be difficult matching a family with a nanny, and I can't always find what they are looking for.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD BOTH OF YOU GIVE TO PROSPECTIVE NANNIES?
MC: Always hold yourself accountable.
AB: Being a nanny has a specific skillset. Keep boundaries, stay professional and stay happy in your working environment, as this will rub off on the children you care for.
Getting to know you…
What has been your greatest challenge?
AB: For me it has to be maternity nursing with twins! Or working for demanding clients in the agency.
MC: Having worked within various households and in different countries, having security within the household and out and about with your charges was bizarre. You do, however, get used to it.
Any regrets career wise?
AB: I wish I had worked in the United States. I received a job offer back in the late 1990s, but they did not want to pay for a working visa, so I had to decline.
MC: I was offered an opportunity to work as a head nanny with lots of travel. However, the catch was a large portion of your time was spent on a yacht. The thought of bobbing up and down was enough to make me go green! I often wonder where in the world that role could have taken me.
Most embarrassing moment?
AB: It has to be learning to ski and wiping out in front of my employers.
MC: Attending an event with my client to be told later on that I had dried baby vomit down my back.
If you hadn't gone into childcare, what sector/job would you have chosen?
AB: I would have liked to have continued trying to work in film and TV, in costume design or producing.
MC: I've always loved the element of travel, an airline pilot was a consideration many many moons ago.
