childcare student placement

[SoftFroggie]

I was just talking to someone at our local college asking them to put up an ad for my nanny vacancy, and they asked if I could take a childcare student for one of their placements this term (NOT as a proper nanny, more as work-experience). they would do nanny-type stuff under my supervision, 2 days per week for 25 days. Anyone had a student? any comments?

[lunavix]

Would it not be more like an au pair then?

Is it free or you paying a cheaper rate?

[badgerhead]

I am a registered childminder who is now on my third student placement working with me. The previous two students have been doing a Certificate in Childcare and the current one is doing the Diploma in Childcare. They have come to me two days a week for a term with either one or two 'block' weeks in that time.I am not allowed to leave them unsupervised with the children but can & do ask them to work with the children & baby I care for. All my 'parents' are fully aware that I have the students and are happy for them to come. The college check up on them each term & I have to sign off work for them to say that they have been competent doing it.
The college should ensure that they havean enhanced CRB check before being put out on placement. HTH

[SoftFroggie]

I think it's free (I assumed that from the way the course tutor was talking) - they need to do various placements to get their qualifications. They need to do certain things to tick the boxes - e.g. make tea / feed baby / bath baby etc. Has to be with baby under 1, and they like placements with a toddler around too, as a baby isn't really 'busy enough'. Mother has to be present. I guess it's part of the course to them, and a free mother's help who needs some guidance to me. It's for 25 days. Not sure really - will it be a help or a pain?

[lunavix]

If you still want a nanny (assuming you need more than the two days) then why not get the nanny and then have the student helping her?

[SoftFroggie]

Thanks badgerhead - is it a good thing or a pain?
When you say 'not unsupervised' would I be able to leave her with toddler downstairs while I go to change baby upstairs (or vice versa)? It's someone at the end of the first yr of the diploma. What do they do?

[SoftFroggie]

Oh, the particlar student needs a placement now. The nanny's for October.