Nannies - Explained
Nannies are qualified
or very experienced in childcare and are capable of sole charge of
children. The main role of a nanny would be to stimulate the child's
physical, intellectual and social growth through play and activities
in a loving and happy environment. Nannies would also carry out
nursery duties which include: child's meals, child's laundry, school
runs, cleaning/tidying child's bedroom/ bathroom, and tidying all
other areas used by the children.
The salary of nannies
would depend on experience, and the qualification of the nanny
and also whether the nanny is required to live-in with the family or
live out. Time off is normally two days per week and a minimum of
four weeks paid holiday per year plus bank holidays applies to full
time nannies. Daily positions should not start before 7.45am and
finish no later than 7.00pm. If your requirement is for support
outside these hours then a live in nanny should be your first
consideration.
Unqualified nannies should have a minimum of 3 years experience
working with children. An unqualified nanny would normally have
begun his/her career as a mother's help.
Qualified nannies are trained to: NNEB (National Nursery Examination
Board), BTEC National Diploma in Nursery Nursing, NVQ Level III in
Childcare, DNN (Cache Diploma in Nursery Nursing), DCE (CACHE
Diploma in Childcare & Education) or similar standard. As part of
the training, the student would be required to work in nurseries,
infant schools and in a private household.
Expect to pay a nanny
£6 - £10 per hour net. Remember nannies still talk net figures.
Nanny / Housekeeper & After School
Nanny
Expect to pay a premium if you wish to employ one.
If you expect or require a nanny to
also be a cleaner or work unsociable hours (before 8am or after
6.00pm) add a minimum of 25% to current
salaries published.
Many families require help with
school age children, both before and after school. It is unrealistic
to think that there is an abundance of candidates wishing to work
such hours. Therefore roles have been combined to ensure continuity
of care. Some nannies will therefore assist with household chores to
retain full time employment. Please consider that the nanny is a
professional child carer in the first instance and not a cleaner.
Nannies with young children of their own are also keen to return to
work, and are often available for part time and after school placements, often
accompanied by their own child. It is however unrealistic and
impractical to expect any nanny to attend for an hour or so in the
morning to take the children to school. Perhaps a taxi service would
be more appropriate for this occasion.
