Today, modern nannies, like other domestic workers, may live in or out of the house depending on their circumstances and those of their employers.

In many areas, nannies are a sought-after member of the workforce. The demand today has made nannying a popular and valued role, improving the lives of the whole family with the child at the centre.

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What makes a good nanny?

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A good nanny is reliable, has good references, is trustworthy and qualified, and is able to discipline the children according to the family’s preferred parenting style. The parents will feel entirely comfortable leaving their most precious assets with her. Nurturing and kind, she or he should also be active, creative, and interact well with children of all ages.

Being a nanny is a challenging role and not an easy career to suit everyone, but many nannies describe it as the most rewarding work they have ever done! If you feel you would thrive in a position that requires the responsibilities described in this job profile, perhaps this is the career for you. Families may also look for other special skills in a nanny, such as being bilingual or having studied early childhood development.

 

 

Types of nanny

 

Live-in, full-time nanny

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Typically, a live-in nanny is responsible for the entire care of the children of their employers. This includes anything from:

 

• Supervising homework

• Washing the children's clothes

• Tidying the children's rooms

• Preparing children's meals

• Taking children to and from school, and  to after-school sport and/or activities

 

For the children that are not at school, a nanny’s day could include playing, teaching, supervising napping, and quiet time.  

Nowadays, nannies generally work 10-12 hours per day, typically Monday to Friday, and often 7am-7pm with the remainder of the day off.  Live-in nannies work a flexible week, which includes early or late working and up to two nights a week babysitting with weekend care by arrangement or in lieu of time off during the week. Essentially, these nannies are working while the children are awake and the parents are at work. A live-in nanny is nowadays more common among wealthier families because they often have all their living expenses paid for and provided by the employer.

Employee benefits provided by the parents may include separate living accommodation (sometimes called a "nanny flat") or room, and possibly a car.

 

Live-out nanny

Will live away from your home and pay her/his own living expenses.

 

 After-school nanny

Will care for the children after school - this includes school pick-up, overseeing homework, feeding, and if required, bedtime.

 

Part-time nanny

Will work part-time often to fit in with a mother who also works part-time. Or she may nannyshare with another family.

 

​Male nannies (Mannies)

If yours is an all-boy family male nannies can be great, particularly with activities such as playing football constantly.

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Nanny shares

Nanny sharing is where two families share a nanny and the cost. Good for all parties, this arrangement can be more financially reasonable for the families involved and gives the nanny a greater return, plus the children have the social interaction that they may not have had otherwise.

 

 Nanny Housekeeper

Will do more than a nanny, as the title suggests, by including housekeeping as part of the role.

 

​Night Nanny

 A night nanny will cover a range of issues, depending on the ages of your children, including: helping parents of new-born babies to establish a routine and healthy sleeping habits, and supporting  older babies and toddlers who may have difficulties in settling at the start of the evening and later if they wake during the night.

In some cases, parents may work very late hours and require the services of someone who is experienced and capable of caring for their children overnight in the form of a proxy-parent.

 

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Qualifications

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In the UK, there's no legal requirement to have qualifications to become a nanny and there are excellent nannies available with lots of experience who are not qualified. However, Midas will only register nannies with three years' experience and whose qualifications include the following:

 

• Level 3 NVQ in Caring for Children and Young People

• Level 3 NVQ in Childcare and Education

• Level 3 NVQ in Children's Care, Learning and Development

• Level 3 NVQ in Early Years Care and Education

• Level 3 NVQ in Play work

 

 Midas will do the following checks on all nannies registered:

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• ID (including proof of address)

• Driving skills

• Childcare qualifications

• First aid certificate

• Whether or not they can work in the UK

• Enhanced DBS (formerly CRB) check

• References

• OFSTED registration

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