Advice needed for old, apparently unemployable, nanny!

[cannotbebothered]

Hello. Looking for some advice please!

I gained the NNEB in 1992.

To cut a long story short, had my dd shortly after. Had a few part time nanny roles, taking her with me. As she got older I worked in primary/ nursery classes with children with statements. All very temporary and bitty. Suited me at the time, though. My references are good, but old!

I always looked forward to the day I might travel the world and earn some decent money! Now she has left home and I am footloose and fancy free!!

I have lived abroad now, for 7 yrs. There are no opportunities for me, in the area I live, to work in childcare. I have a house/mortgage here in negative equity.I work in an unrelated field, seasonally. Very low wages.

I would ideally like to live here, yet find temporary live in roles, internationally. I am very attracted to some roles I have seen who require month on/off or 2 wks on/2 off nannies for 24/7.
I have no recent references, no CRB... I also get the feeling the NNEB is no longer a particularly desirable qualification?

The only agency to get back to me, has basically told me I am unemployable!

Should I give up this idea? I am nearly 40 and feel I am on the bottom rung of the ladder, but I really miss working with children, and I am a really good nanny!

So, shall I give up? Or can any of you suggest a plan of action to get me back out there?

The NNEB is very desirable but you'll need to top it up with some recent CPD, redo your First Aid etc.

The international temporary live in roles are often quite demanding and want someone with tons of experience. That doesn't mean you're unemployable but you'll either need to look at specialist temp agencies like MyHolidayNanny or stalk nannyjob for temporary roles rather than relying on one agency and take a more scattergun approach until you get 2 or 3 more recent references under your belt.

Is it worth cutting your losses and moving back to the UK? Is there a market for teaching English to young learners where you are so you can get some recent experience with children?

I fear the biggest stumbling block will be your location (although I don't know where that is exactly!) unless you can find an agency based in the same country.

Thanks, frak.
I couldn't sell as the mortgage is for more than it's currently worth!
I am in Spain, so not too far away!
Maybe I could go for an aupair plus type role next winter, and do a refresher first aid and get CRB checked?
Do you think someone would employ me in a role like that? Without the CRB/first aid?? Need an address to get the CRB, if I remember correctly!
I just wonder how many years recent experience I am going to need, before I could get something that would take me overseas!

You could rent your house out, which would give you some options. The Lady often has international live-in type jobs in it (as well as boarding school house-mother type roles).

Do you live in a holiday destination? If so how about providing short term nanny/babysitting for visiting families? I am currently booking a summer holiday and came across a woman doing exactly that on a holiday island.

I may look into that, Andbingo! Although I don't get much time off during the summer . Ideally I would like to make a decent living here, but it's difficult with only being able to work half the year.

Zuleika, I would rent out my house, but it is not really safe!! Yet another reason I would like to earn lots of money!

The boarding school idea is genius though!! I could spend the summers here!

Thank you all for your thoughts and ideas.

What about ski resorts? They have nursery/creche facilities and their season is the 'off' season to what you are looking for.

But I hate to say, I'm not sure your CV would pass muster in a stack of CVs, especially with a Spanish address. There are LOADS of spanish au pairs/nannies looking for work at the moment, the economic situation there is pretty bad. My first instinct would probably be 'someone who's broke and desperate' and it's desperation driving them to look for this type of work, not a real love of working with children.

Thanks DIY.

Ski nannying could be something to look into.

I see what you mean, but I would have thought I might appeal to a family who would really like a native English speaking nanny, with a qualification and though, not recent, 15 years of experience, for a much lower rate than normal?

Not much to add except that I would prefer an experienced nanny with maturity and common sense over an 18 yr old that's just done a course ANY day. Keep looking and good luck!

Thank you Queen!

You have made me feel much better!

Incidently, it's not like I have not seen a child in the last 7 yrs. I have little nieces and all my friends have children, I spend alot of time with them, and am up to date with current childcare theory.
I spend too much time on mumsnet!

Well I'm afraid I wouldn't want someone my age living in. Experienced, maybe, but to me that would mean mid to late 20s.

Live out - yes, late 30s - early 40s wouldn't phase me at all.

I think that might be part of the difficulty you are facing.

You could always contact Embassies/consulates, English/American/Australian companies around the world and offer your services as a live in nanny - but again you are only available for the winter months so you would limit yourself.

Or, if the ski season is appealing, contact some holiday companies/resort places and offer yourself as a nanny/housekeeper for those renting a self catered style place.

our nanny is your age and her main experience is from being a mum herself so that would not put me off at all but i have no idea at all about live in roles as i have only needed p/t live out

I agree with common sense and experience - our nanny is your age. Like sleepless, she is live out. Have you thought about becoming a maternity nurse?

Most of the ME and Russian live in jobs specify a nanny over the age of 35!!

Struck! Yes Maternity nursing appeals.

It would offer me the flexibility I'd like, and all those lovely new babies! I would thoroughly enjoy it. I am thinking of doing the course,it can't hurt.

Maybe if I get a temp live in job next winter I would be able to get on the course, do my first aid and get an agency to do my police check?

I have lots of ideas, now! Thanks for your encouragement.

Hi
I definitely wouldn't consider you unemployable and would be very interested in you as a live-in nanny (although sadly in the UK not Spain) as I would value both life and parenting experience.

What about work on a cruise ship. That always seeems the ultimate adventure to me.

Just to say i thought from your description of yourself you were going to be in your 60s! I don't think you are too old to be a nanny - I have had two nannies older than you.

Poppy and Power, thank you! I feel quite hopeful, now!

Viv, I hadn't considered cruise ships, good suggestion.

You have all been great, my confidence is restored and lots of things to look into.

I just joined work last year after 8 yrs at home. I have a nanny who is at least 6 years older than you and not been employed for years. She's really good with my children. Saw quite a few 20 year olds with quals and recent nursery nurse exp but she was way better than them. Don't give up - you'll get what you want. All the best!

I too wouldn't consider you unemployable either!

Again I'm in the UK so not much use to you, but I wonder if after school. Nannying with help with English homework etc would appeal?

Personally I'm still looking for someone who can look after my Ds and also cook dinner for me & Ds and do some housekeeping duties (I'm disabled hence the slightly odd nature of the role!).

I'm having trouble finding the right person as anyone young has no concept of housekeeping such as helping me menu plan/ shopping lists etc and a vast amount of food never even makes it to the table and is thrown away (argh!). Anyway I digress but what I'm trying to say is there are skills that come from experience of living that are very valuable.