Childcare jobs | Mumsnet

Original poster

ElsewhereinSunshine · 26/06/2019 13:39

First time poster :) Hello

I have been searching for childcare or nanny jobs. I have lots of experiences and relevant qualifications.
I have applied to many nursery type roles, I have attended numerous interviews and feedback is positive when I ask why I didn't get the job (examples of feedback response are 'someone with more experience got the role' or 'you do not fit the current role we are advertising', or I do not have enough experience. I have done too much volunteering in nursery, schools etc so I am not volunteering again. I can always get a volunteering role with no issues, I have asked for a job but there always no vacancies etc.

Background information as it is relevant to what I am trying to say.
I completed my course with no adjustments even on my placements and I did quite well on my course. The only feedback I have got from my course tutor is that I may struggle to work with young toddlers aged 3-4 particularly for speech development.

I have been applying for childcare/nanny jobs for normal parents who are looking for someone while they have to go to work. I am curious to know what parents think or could someone shed a light to whether they would hire someone with a disability?

My disability is that I have a hearing impairment. I can speak well etc. I do have issues talking on the phone so I use emails where possible. I guess I am fed up as maybe this wasn't the right career for someone like me?

AIBU or YANBU?

OP posts:

WellLetsSayHesSquare · 26/06/2019 14:31

I would have no problem hiring you however I have a hearing impaired hubby and our home is set up for him. I think others may have reservations on how certain situations would be handled for example we have a monitor that flashes that we have set to silent so dh can see if one is crying upstairs. We also have flashing smoke alarms and doorbell.

I think you may need to spell out to people what impact your impairment has day to day and exactly what you do to get around those things. Make them see that you can do everything the job requires.
Sending you luck.

Waveysnail · 26/06/2019 14:53

Could you specialise your skills - experience working with sen kids?

user87382294757 · 26/06/2019 15:00

Is it difficult for you to hear the children and pronounce works properly as this might be the things they are concerned about?- as children do learn to talk from conversations and as the tutor mentioned it may impact a certain age range? Would you be able to work with another age range? Maybe need to discuss this openly and directly with someone.

As an aside you may also qualify for PIP with a hearing impairment and you can also work with PIP Good luck

user87382294757 · 26/06/2019 15:11

Sorry, I see you mention you can talk Ok but it is the hearing which is a problem. I guess they are concerned you can't hear the children then. Was this not all covered when you did your qualifications, did they not advise then? I wonder if working with SEN children using makaton signs of example, might be a way forward for you.

Original poster

ElsewhereinSunshine · 26/06/2019 15:40

@WellLetsSayHesSquare Thank you for your reply. Yes I usually have those alert equipment to help me. That makes sense about making people aware of what I can do. I am not sure how to explain correctly to people with my hearing impairment and its impact as I come across normal, I mean you can tell by my speech if I could't pronoun some words correctly.

@Waveysnail Thank you for your comment. I have volunteered in a special needs school, some children have more complex needs, personal care etc, I don't mind working with SEN children but it is a lot more hard work particularly in a group/whole class. I prefer one to one or one to one in a home environment.

@user87382294757 Thank you for your comment. Yes I struggle to hear some children more than other children, it depends on their ability on how much they can communicate, sometimes children will show me what they want, i.e. toilet, drink, apple etc is very useful! Yes I can look at other age ranges, I am quite good working with newborns to aged 2, then 4 upwards. I haven't worked with children who use makaton signs

OP posts:

Original poster

ElsewhereinSunshine · 26/06/2019 15:43

@user87382294757 I did not get a lot of advice as I passed my placements with no issues expect for the feedback that I may struggle to work with young toddlers aged 3-4 particularly for speech development.

OP posts:

user87382294757 · 26/06/2019 16:08

Thought you might like this - a letter from a deaf teacher www.aussiedeafkids.org.au/teacher.html

SeptemberDays · 26/06/2019 16:55

I think that if there was a deaf parent/child involved then you would be very valuable. I assume you know sign language etc (even if you can hear enough not to need to).

I can understand that a parent would be concerned you won't hear a crying child, so I think you need to be very clear about how you manage that and up front about it.

I don't see the poor pronunciation as an issue, it's not that different to an au pair with poor English. But maybe I'm missing a concern with that. I guess you might not be good if the child had delayed speech or a bad lisp, but otherwise they can figure out that people speak differently.

Original poster

ElsewhereinSunshine · 26/06/2019 17:03

@user87382294757 thank you. Its nice to read that and so true about having to prove yourself to others that you can do the job!

OP posts:

user87382294757 · 26/06/2019 18:07

I hope you find something suitable soon. Maybe look into sign language and makaton also. Good luck

Original poster

ElsewhereinSunshine · 26/06/2019 18:28

@SeptemberDays Thats a good point of view about deaf parents/children. Although I haven't met many deaf parents. There are deaf equipment's available to help when a baby is crying/moving but I am aware that parents who aren't deaf would not know about these items. Deaf people are very observant and we pick up things very easily!

OP posts:

BigRedBoat · 26/06/2019 19:17

I would try proactively looking for a family with a deaf child or deaf parent who are looking for a nanny, perhaps on local parents facebooks groups?

Original poster

ElsewhereinSunshine · 27/06/2019 17:03

@BigRedBoat Thank you for the suggestion I can try and see if any deaf parents/or parents of deaf children would be interested.

OP posts:

user87382294757 · 27/06/2019 17:23

Yes or maybe also look into support places for deaf children too maybe online also? Maybe work in schools also sen might be something you would like? there may be routes you could specialise in. Good luck, sorry it has not all been easy so far, must be gutting when you have tried so hard

Original poster

ElsewhereinSunshine · 27/06/2019 18:11

@user87382294757 Thank you Yes I will have a look. Sen is actually harder work than children with no additional needs/sen, I am not making any judgments. I applaud people who work with children who have SEN/disability as it is very hard work, or even parents/families.
Yes I know as I have passed my course just like everyone else and I didn't have any issues expect for the one feedback I mentioned in the post.
Surely there must be people with a disability that works with children in any settings, nursery, school, childminder? unless they are judged too?

OP posts:

user87382294757 · 27/06/2019 18:24

Yes there will be, I have worked in childcare and sometimes private nurseries are not the best to be honest (in terms of pay and conditions) I would maybe look for places like the local council / YMCA places like that which have nurseries and probably better pay / support / awareness. (I sent my DC to a YMCA one and worked in a private one and schools). Sometimes, some staff may not be best aware in those private ones. Just a thought. Those better paces would probably have more in terms of rights / pension as well. And yes i get you, I feel the same sometimes as I have a condition and people think you want to support others with it . be an expert in it, and sometimes, no you just want the same treatment as anyone else!

Oh and also do look into PIP...certain descriptors fit hearing impairments and might be a bit of extra cash for you as well. pipinfo, is a good site with info on this.