Nannies with extra 'bits of paper' - opinions?

[frakkinstein]

Now I'm a bit of a knowledge junkie so I'm probably really biased but what's the opinion on nannies who've done extra courses?

Do they add value to a CV? Are they better informed in their work? Are parents or agencies impressed by these at all? Do you think it contributes to giving nannies a more professional image?

What kind of courses are relevant?

For example a nanny who did something like this? Or the MNT Babycare for nannies?

I would love it

Shows commitment to the job and professionalism

Am a nanny employer BTW

i guess any extra courses etc are an added bonus whether food hygiene or drivers awareness course etc

saying that, i have no extra bits to my belt other then my NNEB, CRB, FIRST AID and NANNY insurance and I have been offered every job ive wanted apart from one and she was dithering between us I wanted £5 more a day (and 6mths later she got pregnant and turned into a sahm and nanny lost her job - so relieved i didnt get it iyswim)

so yes they prob do add value to maybe a younger/less experienced nanny but as im old and my excellent references speak for their selves

We can't all have nearly 20 years experience blondes !

The nanny market is more competitive, especially for new starters so it's more likely to be those seeking a bit if an edge taming them. The question is do they give you that edge? 1 employers seems to think so!

Ruby - would you encourage/enable you nanny to do such courses?

One day you will frak

but I do agree that anything extra is a bonus

maybe I should go on a cooking course - cordon bleu

It depends entirely on what the employer is looking for. I have found that most employers don't like my extra qualifications one little bit. My feedback for one interview was they wanted a qualified nanny but not as qualified as that one. I found it faintly ridiculous but it seems to have been replicated countless times despite glowing references. Nice girl but too academic/qualified.

I think the idea of it is excellent it's just my experience has been most employers have no interest in any training I have done whatsoever.

Oh yes i love it. I want a person who is nthousiastic about her job and likes to continue learning. Big plus for me.

I think it's great if nannies have extra qualifications as it shows a continued enthusiasm to learn but it's not the be all and end all for me as I equally look for relevant experience too.

One nanny I interviewed had loads of qualifications which overwhelmed me a bit especially as she seemed a bit prim and proper. I ended up employing the nanny with much less paper but had such a sunny disposition and loads of toddler experience.

so for me, extra papers could be great added value but still something to be assessed within the overall picture of other relevant criteria

I have found employers like the fact I'm degree educated even if the degree itself has nothing to do with chtldren. My current bosses said it shows an ability to think and be interested in life beyond the playroom lol. I'm about to embark on a GDL part time which they are encouraging but also sad about as it shows my time with them will end in 2 to 3 years. My job may end then anyway if they relocate so its a natural moving on point. I think education and learning for learnings sake is only a positive thing. Its a wide world out there and there's so much to learn! Nannies (or anybody really) should take courses in anything they're interested in as well as career related courses. It keeps the old gray matter from stagnating

I have found employers like the fact I'm degree educated even if the degree itself has nothing to do with chtldren. My current bosses said it shows an ability to think and be interested in life beyond the playroom lol. I'm about to embark on a GDL part time which they are encouraging but also sad about as it shows my time with them will end in 2 to 3 years. My job may end then anyway if they relocate so its a natural moving on point. I think education and learning for learnings sake is only a positive thing. Its a wide world out there and there's so much to learn! Nannies (or anybody really) should take courses in anything they're interested in as well as career related courses. It keeps the old gray matter from stagnating

I run a maternity and nanny agency (www.thebabyworksonline.co.uk)

I feel that qualifications need to be relevant to the role being offered. If we have a family with a small baby looking for a nanny, then something like the MNT course is very important because it means they will have a more through understanding of newborns. If they are looking after older children then life skills and experience can be equally invaluable. There are some other basics alongside formal nanny qualifications such as food hygiene and first aid which I think also invaluable.

That said you can't beat a sunny disposition, integrity and honesty.

sorry meant equally valuable in the post above!

i've had nannies with and without qualifications. to us the most important thing was their characters and how well they dealt with the chidren. one of our favourites had no qualifications at all - but she's always brought chidren up and was recommended to us.

Interesting that you mention Life Skills alsi. Today the nearly 3 year old I nanny seemed to enjoy 'helping' fixing the pathway lights - which had decided to stay on all the time. He liked handing me the tools (I wouldn't let him touch electrics... dangerous - even though the fuse had been removed). He liked looking at the wires and seeing how I removed a wire, re-twisted it and tightened it back up. Reasonably simple DIY stuff... wouldn't attempt anything hard these days, been a long time (20 ish years) since I did 2 weeks work experience with Southern Electric.

So is that sort of life skill useful... well I'd say it is. Having a basic understanding of how things work, can help reduce costs of home maintenance.

Not sure how you would put such skills on a CV though.

frak - can you post the original link again.. Not sure if it is my computer but I get an error meassge so can't see what you were referring to....

See if this works: Early Years Foundation Level 3

yes it does thanks nannynick..

btw - I keep meaning to ask you something. A few months ago I'm sure it was you who was talking about going out with some technology to follow some trail or something. Do you have a link to whatever it was that allows you to do it. If it wasn't you then please excuse my delirious mind..!!! It was something like orienteering I think.. Only reason is that our AP likes walking/hiking and we were talking to her about 'letter boxing' (you need to have been to Dartmoor to appreciate). I then remembered your hobby and thought that anyone could do this anywhere... Am I making sense..!!!

Geo-caching?

Sorry didn't reply earlier - been at work

Our current nanny is keen to do courses and we a supporting her fully in terms of time to do it

If we can we will make a financial contribution too

yes that was it - thanks frak..

I like something that deomonstrates that nannying was a concious choice and the nanny views it seriously, not just something they drifted into as they thought it looked easy.. In Blondes case for example, that would be her 20+ years of experiece, in someone younger it may be bits of paper.

Our current nany fwiw it a qualified teacher, who is working pt as a nanny to get guarenteed income while establishing her own business. Given we only want pt care, I also looked at several student teachers, as our hours fit quite well in around placements and I do like that they have had that training.

Given we need relatively short hours, etc, we tend to be looking at younger women, and as such I like evidence of other "stuff" e.g
that demonstrates some get up and go, and ability to stick with things but don't really mind what that is - sports coaching, d of e, arts etc