Is Nannying such a bad job?

[NannyStar]

I am a nanny but currently out of work. Since leaving my last job which was caring for 2 young siblings, I cannot seem to gain employment again. I have recently been feeling really down about my life and the lack of success I have had academically. I perhaps dont feel I have accomplished as much as I should have career and academically wise, yet money is preventing me from going to uni. I left school with 10 GCSEs grades D's and E's and then have worked in nurseries and as a nanny ever since, fitting in NVQs level 1, 2 and 3 at college in Computing. Level 3 is equivalent to a foundation degree aparently but I still feel such a lack of success. Nannying is what I love to do and it pays £250 - £400 per week but is it a job that you could call 'professional' and when you think of nannies do you think what an important job that is same as you would an accountant, PA or something along those lines? Hope you understant what I just written but I'm feeling really frustrated with life at the mo. Soz for the rant.
NannyStar xxx

I have a nanny, and personally I happen to think her job is a hell of a lot more important than your accountant or PA's, I'm leaving my children with her....

Hope something comes along soon for you.

I have a thread below regarding my nanny.

and dont undersell yourself and your profession.

Nannies are with children a majority of the working week, and therfore hold a great influence over their lives. dont underestimate your job.

as for it being professional. yes, it is.

it is such an important job, you are caring for the most precious of things in parents lives. you have to be professional, responsible, fun, caring, loving, giving, motivated to name but a few.

can you sign up with an agency?....
get some refs from previous families to show potential employers?....

good luck and smile, all the gcse, a levels, degrees in the world may make you 'academic' but dont make you the person you want to be. follow your heart.

anyone who can look after children 24/7 is amazing, i cannot be a stay at home mum for my own sanity, im a better mum for being out of the house working 3 or 4 days a week. your doing an amzaing job. be proud

cx

Jobs involving care (be it children, or adults) is typically low paid. It tends to be something people do because they like the job, rather than doing it for the money.

I did an HND in computing... worked in computing field for a while and hated it. I retrained as a nursery nurse and I currently work as a nanny - regulars here know that already

I have decided to do a job I like. While it does not pay as well as other jobs (certainly not as well as an IT manager job I had), I do find nannying far more rewarding, and less stressful.

If you don't think of your job as being 'professional' it won't be... if you think of it as being 'professional' then it is. I find it helps to do nannying like a business - wear a uniform when you work, it can be quite casual but by having a uniform you will feel more 'professional' straight away.

Our younger generation need teachers, be they working in school, nuresery, pre-school playgroup, or within the home as a nanny, or parent (yes, SAHparents are teachers!) If the younger generation was left to fend for itself, how long would they last? If all parents had to stay at home to care for their own children, how many accountants and PA's would there be?

If you want to chat NannyStar, you can locate my contact details quite easily via Google.

I would think of a fully qualified nanny as very similar to a PA (personal assistant), an unqualified younger nanny would be like an admin assistant!

(btw I think a PA job is VERY important and 'professional')

If it suits you, then it's a great job.

Hi NannyStar!

Anyone working in the childcare profession is a highly skilled and professional person! You should not undersell yourself! I found, once I qualified that jobs were harder to come by, than when I was a student in training! I did my level 3 a year ago and have hardly worked since, although I am returning to work in September at a local pre-school. At the same time, I will be going to do the Foundation Degree, which is the equivalent to a Level 4. Surely you can get funding to maybe see about another course, if this is what is getting you down?

Colleges and LEA's may be able to help, so it's worth having a look around!

Im a nanny and LOVE it

start my new job next week and been to meet my mew charges this morning!

IMO im a porffesional nanny.... i havnt found getting a job hard.... in fact i had 9 families want me to work for them... some word of mouth when they realised current youngest charge starts school full time next week...

but then as well as GCSE's and A levels (mainly As and bs)i have a degree... and i think that really helps me getting a job.

I personally consider myself a proffesional nanny... caring for children... as well as stimulating them we have to ensure they are properly nourished and have lots of actvities to enhance their learning oppertunities.

I LOVE nannying.... it pays well and we work on pur own terms to an extent... i earn more money than some friens who graduated at the same time as myself and have proper jobs (as some would say!)... im the FIRST to point out that nannyhing is a proper job!