Do you have to have particular qualifications if you call yourself a "nanny"?

[Kindersurpise]

Our babysitter is considering spending a year in UK when she finishes her childcare course. She is studying to be a nursery nurse in Germany. (3 year course with college/practial experience)

Is there a special course that she would need to do to be termed a "nanny"? Or would she have to look for a job as an aupair/aupair plus?

Anyone can call themselves a nanny, even without qualifications. Generally people look for the equivalent of the UK NVQ qualification which I think is a 2 year course with work experience, but I know plenty of people who will take nannies with no qualifications, but lots of experience. So your lady can call herself a nanny although she will need to charge below average market rates until she has more experience under her belt (though she should still earn more than an AP+ rate)

Ok, so she could definately go for a nanny job then with her experience. Thanks.

What would the difference in pay be between aupair+ and nanny?

I have a CACHE Diploma in Nursery Nursing (NNEB) - which was I think the first course that CACHE did when they took over from NNEB (Nursery Nurse Examination Board).

In the UK there is nothing to stop someone without any childcare qualifications calling themselves a nanny... it's just a job title.
The nursery nurse course your babysitter is doing, sounds very suitable though.
Only issue I can forsee, is that if parents required a 'registered nanny', then your babysitter may have difficulty convincing Ofsted that the qualification is suitable (I don't doubt that it is suitable, but Ofsted can be rather picky about what they accept).
So yes, call herself a nanny... but perhaps best to avoid working for parents who want a 'registered nanny' - as the registration process could take considerable time.

That is good info, Nick, Thankyou.

She is, or rather will be, qualified to work in a kindergarten. She has also done a course as "Familienpflegerin" which is someone who goes into a family if they are needing extra help for a few weeks (eg. if the mum is ill). Sort of a ersatz-mama for a short period of time.

I don't know if she would go to the bother of registering though as it would only be for a year.

Given the potential hassles, as from abroad probably not worthwhile being a 'registered nanny'. May limit the jobs a little, but registration is new, so not all parents know about it, and some won't want someone registered (as they won't be using childcare vouchers, tax credits).

Before leaving Germany, ask her to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct (Police check) from the local police force. This should be translated to English. She should contact The Federal Central Register (FCR) who will issue the Certificate of Good Conduct - Details from CRB.gov.uk

Thanks Nick, you are a star!