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Original poster

Nanny Education

66 replies

nannynick · 31/01/2009 22:29

This is a question for parents really, rather than nannies themselves - though of course you can all chip in your views

When choosing a nanny, do you look at what educational achievements the nanny has?
For example, do you look at what grades a nanny got when they were 16 - so in my day those exams were called GSCEs. Do you look at what A-Levels/Higher Education courses they may have done? Do you consider what school they went to - some nannies may be private school educated.

What are your thoughts... do you take any of those things into account when selecting a nanny?

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Original poster
nannynick · 01/02/2009 10:34

BoffinMum - would you want those A-Levels/BTECH to be in a childcare related subject? Or is it more the point that the person has done some higher education?

Have to say, so far all the nannies who have posted seem to have quite high levels of education. I wonder if that is typical of nannies generally, or just typical of nannies who post on Mumsnet!

OP posts:
Blondeshavemorefun · 01/02/2009 10:17

dont think any employers/interviews have ever mentioned my gcse's - got 10 (i think - was 20years ago)

they are on my cv saying passed and what subjects they were

they were more interested in my NNEB PASS

BoffinMum · 01/02/2009 10:08

I would be looking for 5 GCSEs A-C including Maths and English, and a suitable NNEB/BTech, plus current First Aid. If someone had A Levels that would be a bit of a bonus (as this overlaps with BTech) and if someone had an EY degree I would be delighted.

Original poster
nannynick · 01/02/2009 10:00

Tavvy - on my CV I list dates and course. I don't actually mention which schools/colleges I attended. With a CV you can be as creative as you like... it needs to be accurate but if you don't want to mention something, you don't include it.
Application forms are another matter. Luckily most nanny jobs don't have an application form, unlike jobs for councils / government.

Giraffe - Initially after leaving school I trained as a computer programmer. Comes in handy every now and then, as children learn about computers at such a young age these days.

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giraffescantdancethetango · 01/02/2009 00:22

I trained as a primary teacher and potential employers are always a bit when they hear this. They love it in some ways but have been told they worry that I will be bored. Am definetly not though!

Tavvy · 01/02/2009 00:19

Just out of interest again in terms of what schooling nannies had - I didn't.
I taught myself (got bullied at school and didn't go and taught myself my GCSE's and A levels which I got at high grades)
Am aware that automatically makes parents think I'm an uncooperative nightmare (not true honestly) but I can't put any educational establishments down. Does that matter?

nannyL · 01/02/2009 00:16

i dont think i have ever been more qualified than my bosses!

Tavvy · 01/02/2009 00:16

I know education isn't everything and I tend to use my qualifications to bolster my lack of experience (am only young) but it does seem a bit rich sometimes. I really do get the impression I'm expected to be bright as a nanny but never to use my brain or have an opinion on anything.

Original poster
nannynick · 01/02/2009 00:13

Tavvy, that's an interesting point about being over-qualified for the job, in the view of some parents.
Think tankie has hit the nail on the head... some parents while wanting an educated nanny, may not be wanting one who is better educated than they are. Not an issue for me, as I've not been to Uni.

OP posts:
tankie · 01/02/2009 00:08

It's tough isn't it? I think you're degree sounds very appropriate for a nanny

Some parents want an educated nanny, but not one who is better educated than them!

Tavvy · 01/02/2009 00:06

Following this thread with interest.
I've had so much conflicting things said.
Have been told I'm too academic, too many qualifications then told I'm not eligible because I don't hold a level 3 in childcare. I hold a level 4 and did try pointing out a level 4 is higher than a level 3 but obv that did not get me very far.
Then told because I'm doing my degree (OU) in childhood, psychology and education that this is innapropriate for a nanny!!!

Shelley33 · 31/01/2009 23:14

In most of my interviews, (and have been nannying since 1993) I have more questions about my nannying experience than my academic achievements. Although I suspect if they hadn't been respectable, then I may well have been past over as being a bit dense!

nannyL · 31/01/2009 22:45

I have had that too!

in fact all of my employers havementioned it at interview!

Original poster
nannynick · 31/01/2009 22:44

I've had that Tankie... though I didn't do A-Levels... did an HND instead (not a childcare subject).

OP posts:
tankie · 31/01/2009 22:41

I've only had it brought up at interviews a couple of times - parents saying "your A Levels are rather good for someone who wants to be a nanny, I suppose you're not intending to do this as a career..."

nannyL · 31/01/2009 22:33

well all of my bosses seem to like my 12 GCSE's 4 A Levels and a degree!