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AIBU?

To think nannying makes you less employable?

24 replies

bankhollnc · 27/05/2018 13:38

NC as I've just discussed this with dsis who is also on MN and she'll know it's me!

I have a first class honours degree in early years, graduated last summer and stayed on at the nursery I worked at part time while I was at uni. I'm now a full time Level 6 Nursery Nurse, I'm not room leader as we already had room leaders in place.

I said I'd do a year full time after graduating to gain practical experience, and now that year is almost up and I'm still really unsure of what I want to do next! Not keen on teaching, looked into TA roles but the pay is so low! I'm really interested in Safeguarding and CP but don't want to be a social worker at this moment in time.

Have looked into nannying quite seriously, but I can't help but think that it will make me abit less employable in the future. Am I wrong?

In the same way that some SAHM's struggle to get back into the work place after 2/3 or however many years out, do you think that may happen?

If I was an employer and I had 2 similar prospective candidates, one who had worked in a children's centre for the last 3 years, one who had worked as a nanny for the last 3, I really think I would go for the children's centre person because they've been in a work environment surrounded by other professionals.

Does anyone have any thoughts? Or any ideas on what I can do?

I'm coming up to 22 but look quite young, that really doesn't work to my advantage! I am really good at my job, and have worked as part of a multi disciplinary team for a child protection case, attending the CP conferences and every 5 weekly core group meetings. I really enjoy that multi agency side of things and liaising with the family and other professionals. SW could be something for me to do in the future but just not yet I think I'm abit young and won't be taken seriously.

Community nursery nurse roles in my area are very sparse, I've never seen any advertised and look all the time on nhs jobs but that is something I'm
Interested in.

Sorry to ramble! Any ideas?

OP posts:
bankhollnc · 27/05/2018 13:40

Every 4 weekly meetings, not 5, not that it matters!

OP posts:
stillnotbored · 27/05/2018 13:50

I'm confused as to what you mean by 'ideas'.

I think that at your age and with your experience, nannying could be seen as treading water a little but if you can explain it away then it won't make you less employable. Our Head of 6th Form was a nanny in the US straight after graduating. She doesn't seem to have found it a hindrance.

"Safeguarding" will become less fashionable in the next few years. It's mentioned in every few posts on MN and some people seem to be a little confused over what is a SG concern and what is simply part and parcel of working with children. As technology settles down and people understand the internet and social mendia a little more, we'll stop hearing about it. It isn't an area I'd stake my career on.

I think you're right that working in a professional environment makes you more employable. You'll learn from peers and SMT and hopefully have opportunities for PD but that doesn't mean that it's what you just be doing.

Honestly, if you don't love your job you'll never really succeed. If that means side-stepping for a year to figure it out then go for it. It seems that you don't know what you want so why pursue anything at the moment? This is the first question which only youcan answer.

VogueVVague · 27/05/2018 13:53

I dont think 22 is "too young" to get into SW. I mean you're an adult...

Ihatebuildabear · 27/05/2018 13:54

As technology settles down and people understand the internet and social media a little more, we'll stop hearing about it. It isn't an area I'd stake my career on.

Stillnotbored what do you mean by this? Just intrigued!

hidinginthenightgarden · 27/05/2018 14:05

Safeguarding isn't a trend - it has simply been lacking for years and we are catching up with it!
There was no technology when Jimmy Saville abused all those kids, there was also no safeguarding training to emphasise the wrong and help people stop it.

stillnotbored · 27/05/2018 14:08

I mean, safeguarding is a bit of a buzzword in some circles. The kind of circles I tend to steer clear of. Ever watched W1A on the BBC? It can sound a lot like that.

Technology, in particular sharing of media (socially and other forms) has skyrocketed in a relatively short time and people don't know how to respond. Should children have a right to privacy from their parents posting baby photos? Should Snapchat be banned? What age should children have smartphones? Should we attempt to limit what children can access or should we give them free reign and educate them instead etc. Most "safeguarding issues" tend to be about the use to tech and that's because of the enormous changes we've seen in the last few years. Pervasive tech and smart phones are the biggest cause.

My school is better than most with regard to its use of tech and measures we take to ensure it's used properly. The idea that camera's at a school production gets all kinds of strange responses sometimes; we live stream ours. We blog with photos of children and each child has their own email account (heavily monitored). As we understand tech and its implications more, people will relax and stop thinking that a grandmother sharing an image of her GCs in the bath will be sold on the dark web.

Safeguarding (like IT) will stop being a discrete role or subject and integrated instead. That's why I would steer clear of putting all my eggs in one basket.

Ihatebuildabear · 27/05/2018 14:12

Safeguarding is also child protection. Which has a far wider scope than just tech based and unfortunately cp issues aren't going to go away. Social workers will always be needed as long as people continue to abuse children. Sadly.

bankhollnc · 27/05/2018 14:54

@stillnotbored thanks I really appreciate your thoughts!

However, the child protection cases I have been involved with haven't had anything to do with technology. I work in a very deprived area and unfortunately the cases have been due to neglect and emotional abuse, most commonly. Also these aren't just the odd safeguarding concerns I've dealt with, I've been working on it for over a year now and have seen the case escalate from early help, to child in need and now to child protection.

I do see your point though, I just haven't had any experience of safeguarding issues relating to tech so it's hard to relate. In my eyes Safeguarding is extremely important and can literally mean taking children out of a situation that can cause them immediate harm.

I meant 'ideas' as in, doesn't anybody know of any roles or areas that I haven't mentioned that I may want to look into🙂

OP posts:
bankhollnc · 27/05/2018 14:56

Sorry also, I know I could go into SW now, I'd need to do another year or two at uni which I'm just not really up for at the moment!

I really think if I did do that I'd, want to do it in 5 or so years. It's just not something I feel ready to do yet, it's a huge responsibility.

OP posts:
LifeBeginsAtGin · 27/05/2018 15:09

I'd look at teaching abroad - less stress than the UK and less tax too.

Nomad86 · 27/05/2018 15:37

You could try volunteering in different areas of child protection and care. For example, women's aid, prison crèches, surestart centres etc. Some museums need demonstrators for children. It would help you discover which area you might want to work in and give you great experience for your CV. Now is a great age to volunteer, before you have children of your own and other commitments. You could be a great asset to a charity and it could lead to a career you hadn't considered.

Do-it.org.uk is a good place to start looking.

PickettBowtruckles · 27/05/2018 15:57

Hi OP, I have the same degree as you and only a couple years older, I don’t want to go into it too much as it’s quite outing but if you want to PM me I’ll happily discuss what I do now with that degree.

insancerre · 27/05/2018 16:12

have you got EYTS?
If not then a degree is the equivilant of a level 3 in the EYFS

bankhollnc · 27/05/2018 17:32

@PickettBowtruckles I'll do that, thank you!

And @insancerre I don't have EYTS no, but actually in terms of ratios there is a difference between a Level 3 and a Level 6 practitioner.

Ratio for a Level 3 working with children aged 3 and over is 1:8

Where as a Level 6 (or someone with EYTS like you mentioned) it is 1:13

Smile

OP posts:
insancerre · 27/05/2018 17:38

No there isn't a difference in ratio
The only difference is with QTS, EYPS or EYTS
A degree is not a level 6 for ratio purposes

MissTeBe · 27/05/2018 18:01

I know a nanny that left nannying to become a social worker

I am 42 and have been a nanny (amongst other childcare roles) since the age of 16

I love it. I have worked for some truly wonderful families who I will stay friends with for a very long time

Canyonkeys · 27/05/2018 18:21

Have you thought about doing something like an Early Help Advisor/worker? Not sure on the correct job title but basically those families who require early help, you would be their main point of contact for support etc.

GinGeum · 27/05/2018 18:26

I disagree that nannying makes you less employable. A lot of people do a few years of this kind of work as a way to travel around when they’re younger.

Also, if you have worked as a nanny, you can show that you’re able to work well under your own steam, able to make decisions yourself as a sole worker, able to be flexible and respectful of other people’s homes and boundaries. There are lots of transferable skills.

bankhollnc · 27/05/2018 18:28

@insancerre you're absolutely correct I eat my words!

What's shocking to me is how the EYFS document is worded! 'Another suitable Level 6 qualification' who wouldn't presume that 'Early Years and Childhood Studies' isn't suitable!?

Now I don't know whether or not to tell my manager. Our settings policy is 1:8 regardless of if you have a Level 6 or not so it's all fine in terms of the welfare of the children but my bosses always mention it to me like they're doing me a favour by not raising the ratio🙄

If we ever have a particularly challenging day instead of saying well done, giving us praise or just saying 'thanks for the hard work today' they say things like 'you technically could have up to 13' and I say something along the lines of 'it's a good job our policy states otherwise!' And he will say something like 'well policies do change' 🙄 Days like this are few and far between but we have a very high number of SEND children, 5 of which have 1:1 funding but we have our 1:1 children and the rest of the children in our key groups so it's really, really difficult. 1:1 does not mean 1:1 for us. I could have my 1:1 child but then 6 or more other children who are also mine to try to cope with. It's really difficult, extremely stressful, and all for minimum wage which is why I'm looking to get out! Once my pre schoolers leave for 'big' school in September that's me all done, I've seen them through the baby room, toddler room and pre school and really feel like that's me all done. It's a good job we actually really do care isn't it?

I might just keep it to myself for now and if he says it again I can say 'well actually insancerre says...!'

OP posts:
bankhollnc · 27/05/2018 18:30

@Canyonkeys I have looked at early help worker roles, I've seen 2 advertised over the last year and they both wanted someone with a child of their own which I don't have.

Are they even allowed to stipulate that? What if someone can't have children!

OP posts:
Canyonkeys · 27/05/2018 18:35

@bankhollnc

How odd? That seems very discriminatory. Having children or not is not an indicator that you’re able to do the job. I would be inclined to apply for one anyway and worst thing is that they say no.

OddBoots · 27/05/2018 18:41

If you want to be a nanny for a while then I would say go for it. Good early years practitioners of Level 3 and above are becoming fewer and further between so I don't think it will do your career any harm.

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WheresTheEvidence · 27/05/2018 18:45

I am a professional nanny of 14 years. I have worked in a nursery and have experience of the EYFS but I am definitelh employable as a nanny and may be chosen over nursery nurses who while have worked as part of a team dont have the skills that as a nanny of swveral years I can bring to the job. Often nursery nurses struggle to nanny as there are a lot of different akills and a different mindset to being a nanny versus nursery nurse.

SensoryOverlord · 27/05/2018 18:50

very discriminatory. Having children or not is not an indicator that you’re able to do the job

Anyone would be silly to say it in an advert but it's not an uncommon desire IME.

When I was searching for a cm I specifically only considered those with their own dc, for a number of reasons.

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