Would you be more likely to employ a nanny with qualifications OR experience?

[taintedsnow]

A friend of mine has a lot of experience caring for babies and children, but has never obtained formal qualifications. She has a university education in another area though.

She wants to advertise for work as a nanny again (she has been working in another field for a while) as she adores children, but is worried she would not be considered by families as she has not obtained specific qualifications.

I feel that if a family would look at the fact that she has great references and experience and consider her regardless of the lack of formal qualifications, if she would pass a CRB check (which she would).

So if you were looking for a nanny, would you consider someone like my friend? I don't want to get her hopes up by telling her I definitely think she should advertise if there is no point.

TIA.

Tbh I think every nanny who thinks they are a professional should have insurance - whether qualified or not - but many I know in the rw don't as can be arsed/afford it etc

I have had it for years - recently gone up to £71 from £60

For the sake of a large glass of wine a month you are covered if god forbid something happened why in charge

My Dh is se and has public liability and costs him £140 a year to cover him

Ofsted are very inconsistent about checks for the vOCR IMO. Some people have had to send tons of proof, had their 1st aid rejetched as not being comprehensive enough, had to send their common core certificate/insurance policy number, been told their qualification isn't common core compliant etc and others have got through with a 6 hour first aid, 20 year old qualification and only taken out their insurance once registered.

Inspections are just as bad - some inspectora don't even ask to see basic paperwork, others leave a whole list of points to action....

My nanny has the sort of background you described, for me it came down to who i clicked with at interview (that's not to say there haven't been problems), but we are still "together" 15 months later and the issues were nothing to do with qualifications or not. If I were her i would definitely not rule it out, I would else suggest that she talks to a couple of good recruitment agencies and sign up with them, the better ones would be able to better position her CV with potential employers.

She did a weekend course and first aid training which made her eligible for childcare vouchers (plus insurance and something else from memory).

As a parent just experiance would be fine for me for a PT nanny job, or after school nanny, but not FT sole charge of younger children. Up to date First Aid would be a must in any event. Also she may be able to differentiate herself by offering to take on more housekeeping duties than a qualified nanny might consider.