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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

39 year old nanny - weird?

38 replies

Butterflybows · 12/09/2011 21:58

Hi, having recently gained a first class degree in Early Childhood Studies, I have been unable to find a professional job. Infact, I can't find any job at all - not for the want of trying.

I was thinking about going back to nannying - which I haven't done for 20 years - because I could do it well and to be blunt it pays better than the shop/admin etc jobs I've been trying for.

Would you be suspicious of a 39 year old nanny? Would you think it weird?

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Original poster

Butterflybows · 14/09/2011 19:29

Surely teachers get £21,000+ - I'd be amazed if nannying pays more! London wages and very long hours???

Time for more internet research I think - I don't want to risk underselling myself

OP posts:

Avinalarf · 14/09/2011 19:30

No way. We had a nanny for a year or so. She was in her early 40s and was fantastic.

spickles · 14/09/2011 19:43

I positively looked for a mature nanny to look after my gang. She has been brill and v reliable and always understands why we employ her, iykwim!
One thing I would echo in an earlier post is that she does think her way is the right way, and while she will do things our way I know it is grudgingly. She tries to hide that though, as a "career nanny" maybe she's better at dealing with her differences to our methods!
Good luck!

ThePrincessRoyalFiggyrolls · 14/09/2011 19:51

My friend has a nanny who is a granny and she is brilliant as my friend is so completely overwhelmed by what to do (not that she is a useless mother but she is very much in need of guidance for her own sanity and control! - I love her anyway but sometimes get a bit meh about her taking what the nanny says as gospel ) so this really works for her, she also trust her implicitly with regards to the shopping/driving etc aspect of things.

For me, a 22 yo wouldn't cut it (sorry!) but you definitely would and the fact that you haven't been a career nanny would mean to me that you would probably be good value for money (not the career nannies aren't but some of the ones I interviewed were just expecting more than I could pay them sadly) with the prospect of earning more in the future too. My bugbear would be if you have your own school age children/young children who you want to bring with you. I looked at a couple of these too but didn't feel confident that my two would be the most important children during her working day which was important to me. Sadly I couldn't find the ideal person for me so have gone down the nursery route - however this isn't ideal for me but needs must currently! If you are down south pm me as I am still looking.........

ichangedmymindagain · 14/09/2011 21:46

Im a nearly 50year old nanny and have worked for my family for over three years now . I can still do all the same things a younger nanny can , although the knees are not as flexible these days . Today we (my charge who is nearly 4) collected acorns and i had to climb part of a tree and then piggyback him home , because he was too tired after our long walk. why do employers think we can't do these things after all most grandparents have no problem doing active things . Good luck to you and with your experience i'm sure you will find a job soon.

dmo · 15/09/2011 09:06

a lady that comes to group is a nanny this is her first nanny job the children were 1 and 3 when she started and she is nearly 60yrs old

Original poster

Butterflybows · 15/09/2011 15:05

Thanks for your kind and encouraging words. I went to the nanny agency today, and it is my lack of experience not my age which will prevent me finding nannying positions.

I supose it is understandable parents want nannys who are very experienced. The lady I spoke to was very nice and clearly knew what she was talking about.

(PS. I still think I have lots to offer )

OP posts:

spottycushion · 16/09/2011 22:14

I am 35years old and still nannying .Knees are alittle creaky but still going . ;)

nbee84 · 17/09/2011 08:53

Don't let the agency put you off too much. I would have thought that with your experience as a TA and as an LSA there will be plenty of families that would employ you.

Have the agency put you on their books? If they haven't because of lack experience then check out some other agencies and look for private ads - childcare.co.uk, nannyjob.co.uk, gumtree and netmums.

fraktious · 17/09/2011 09:05

At the moment I wouldn't because the older nannies I spoke to weren't very accepting of our parenting style and I felt a younger nanny would be more mouldable. Plus I wouldn't have the weirdness of employing someone who was at secondary school when I was in nappies myself!

That said if we had less definite ideas and actively wanted someone to provide experience and advice you'd be ideal.

sunshinenanny · 17/09/2011 22:33

I am a mature nanny and have no trouble running around after my young charges I try to get jobs where the parents have similar veiws on childcare but I would never presume to comment if the parents had a different style of parenting and yes I am reliable rarely if ever sick and take my job very seriously.

I have known at least two younger nannies who only took the children out to places they could chat with their freinds and ignor the children they were supposed to be caring for. I'm sure this is not true of all younger nannies but experience and proffessionalism often come with a mature nanny.

chickadee87 · 24/09/2011 12:02

I've read lots of posts slating 'young nannies' who are not commited to the job and are more concerned about social life! Im under 25 and have been a nanny for 4 years already, I ALWAYS put my heart into my job, am loyal and do everything i can to make the parents happy and give the children top notch care. My current family i have been with for over 18 months, and plan to be with them untill next sept AT LEAST (barring anything out of the ordianary happening) My point is, AGE should not be a matter for concern, i am sure the OP would be a wonderful nanny - wether she is 19 or 39! Yes i can see how life experience can be a fantastic attribute to a nanny, but young nannies can be just as good. My first nanny family told me when i was leaving(kids going to school) that they nearly didnt hire me because i was 20, but they were very glad that they did!

Butterflybows i agree with the others, you will be snapped up :)

Bonsoir · 24/09/2011 12:10

My DSSs had an older nanny (50+) as their first nanny, who arrived when DSS1 was born in 1995 and left in 2002 ie nearly seven years and another baby down the line. Everyone talks about her with stars in their eyes. Her only qualification for the job was having had four children and a nanny of her own!

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