Nanny Education

[nannynick]

This is a question for parents really, rather than nannies themselves - though of course you can all chip in your views

When choosing a nanny, do you look at what educational achievements the nanny has?
For example, do you look at what grades a nanny got when they were 16 - so in my day those exams were called GSCEs. Do you look at what A-Levels/Higher Education courses they may have done? Do you consider what school they went to - some nannies may be private school educated.

What are your thoughts... do you take any of those things into account when selecting a nanny?

Tankie - who are you doing the degree with? Do they not require you to do at least 2 days in a nursery environment? May look into it again, if that requirement has been dropped.

Supernanny19 - some parents will want to look at certificates, others won't. Even when I meet families prior to babysitting for them, they often like looking through certificates.

SAMS73 - What min requirements do you feel someone should meet so they can work as a nanny?
How the nanny responds to the children is of course also very important, we've had the Qualified Nanny v Non Qualified Nanny discussion in the past. What I wanted to test out was how much other non-childcare related education a typical nanny had - and what parents would expect them to have. 10+ years ago when I did my Nursery Nursing course, I felt that some students on that course were doing it because they couldn't get on to any other courses due to lack of GCSE grades. Times have changed and courses these days I expect have minimum entry requirements.

You are quite right, you should never hire a nanny just based on their qualifications. But does their educational background influence your decision to hire them?

My degree is the BA hons Early Childhood Studies, rather than the Early Years foundation degree. Lots of universities do it, Bristol UWE, Birmingham, East London, Oxford Brookes - you can also do it through distance learning with East London and ICS, which is what I'm doing www.icslearn.co.uk/distance-learning-degree/education-studies/early-childhood-studies/

Look, Nannynick, you know full well if you came into my life I would probably die with joy there and then, but that I also have to pay at the lower end of what's normal, and I reckon you're worth more ...

That raises an interesting discussion point... does the amount you pay a nanny affect the amount of education the nanny has? Not sure that reads right but I think you know what I mean.

Thanks Tankie, will look into that. Wonder if Ofsted accept it for Early Years Practitioner status.

My A Levels are not childcare related and my degress is Psychology so not really specifically childcare but not irrelevant either

A levels
Biology
Psychology
Economics

AS Statistics and sociology!

I think it depends on the degree Nick, as some have practitioner options and some don't.

I know what you mean Nannynick. I think the main thing that affects nanny salaries is the salary of the mother of the family employing them.

I wish there was a mechanism whereby if you agreed to use teacher pay scales then you wouldn't have to pay the employer tax and NI! That way you could have a kind of nanny PGCE which would give nannies more respect and rewards.

Not sure Teaching Pay Scale would work... as Nannies are not qualified teachers, so would always be on the Non-Qualified section of the Scale. Mind you, nannies do varying degrees of housework - so perhaps we could add some TLR.

However looking at the figures for non-qualified Teachers, there is quite a close relationship between that and nanny salaries. A non-qualified teacher outside of London is on 15k-24k, in Inner London that rises to 19k-27k. A nanny caring for children with Special Needs may well get a bit more money... so for example an additional 2K (Special Needs Level 1).

All the parents..Do you actually see the certificate or just the CV what it happens to be typed on ?

Sorry just read what u said nannynick..Well in that case i have a degree in nursing and childcare

I would say NNEb or a cache diploma. first aid certificate. Really dont care how or what they did in their A levels butvwould prefer lot of hands on experience.If they have any additional qualities ( not qualifications) it is a bonus.Say eg., if they enjoy arts-lots of activities for children, visit to museums, exhibitions. music- children singing,help witheir music. if they enjoy cooking- children get good healthy meals, may be i will also learn a thing or two from the.TBH how many of us do jobs related to our degree/qualifications.

My A levels are in psychology, sociology and human physiology. I find them beneficial to childcare as they cover the main three facets child development is mostly made up of.
Level fours in genetics, child and adolescent nutrition, early years practice, child psychology and currently studying as a child and adolescent counsellor.
I find it really relevent to have a strong academic background in child development as well as experience. Not saying you can't be a fab nanny without it - just my opinion.

Tavvy - that's impressive, you must love doing courses.

supernanny19 - all parents have seen my certicates - they are in my folder that i take to interviews,along with cv, ref,first aid,crb and recently a wedding certicate as everything i had done is in my maiden name

Yeah I do. I love being a nanny so much but I also love academics so I enjoy studying too and it's always good to learn new things. Keeps me on my toes.
There's been some really interesting points raised here. With regards to experience a lot of my experience has been in schools, nurseries and childrens centres as well as a nanny and I'm always being told that's irrelevent. I don't feel it is as it means I've worked with a huge range of children and parents, have knowledge of the education system - how children succeed and fail within it and how to help - why is it irrelevent? Genuinely curious with this thread.

Supernanny19 - given your young age, I'm impressed that you have done a degree. Can't imagine that many 19 year old's have a degree.

It is turning out to be quite an interesting thread, glad I started it.

Childcare work in other settings is relevant in some ways. I suppose it isn't relevant in terms of it being a different environment, not being sole-charge of a child, that sort of thing. Interesting... I wonder what in our past is and isn't relevant to nannying... a lot of our life experiences are going to be relevant in some way, aren't they?

Lol it was a joke..I do find it funny that some parents dont check the actual certificate they just belive what you say you have done..The job im in now i told them what i had. they didnt even check..good thing im honesyt

Ah, so what do you have? GCSE's/NVQ's from school I guess.
As you are a young nanny, it may be useful to know what educational background you have.
Us older nannies seem to have something in common where by we all have quite a bit of education prior to becoming a nanny.

Yeah I have GCSEs/NVQs..and doing a few MNT courses..Got first aid..going to be updated..CRB got that..food hygience got that..so i have a few with a couple years experience..but when i see all the other nannies with YEAAARSSSS experience..I dont think I stand a hope finding something.

You do have a hope of finding something - lots of parents like a young, active, enthusiastic nanny, and could see you as a good opportunity to train/mould as you're not set in your ways yet! Plus, you'll be cheaper than the nannies with years of expereince, and I guess happy to take live-in positions.

Aww thanks tankie when i hear 20 years experience..i think whats the point in me even looking..Leave it to the experts lol...I usally get 9ph is this good for my age?

I'd say £9 is VERY good - it's more than I'm on!

When i started I was on 8ph but i asked for it to be reviewd. Yeah i dont mind a live in position..but im learning if i take a live in job it has to be at the top of the house so every weekend im NOT woken at 6am lol