Vocational Approach?

[NannyMcwinter]

A vocational approach to nannying..what does this mean?

At a guess either someone who feels they have a strong calling to be a nanny - like becoming a nun is a vocation, it implies a degree of feeling compelled - or it could be vocational as in the opposite of academic. An academic approach would be theory centred, a vocational approach more practical and hands on. It would depend on the context...

I have found in nannying if it's included in a job ad by a parent requesting a nanny it is something they can use to bully you with over extnsive extra hours and duties with no pay because if it's a 'vocation,' then you should be glad to do it. Just my cynical slant on it from experience

LOL at Tavvy, I was going to say the same thing!

But from a less cynical standpoint I interpret "vocational approach to nannying" to mean someone who shows initiative, creativity and a good, professional work ethic, and has a wide knowledge base gained from experience and/or qualifications. It would imply that that nanny had actually made a deliberate decision to be a nanny and therefore is committed to maintaining high standards in her (or his) work.

wrinklyraisin - you have just described my attitude towards nannying. However I describe myself as a 'career nanny' as opposed to vocational.

I wonder how many nannies deliberately choose to be a nanny? I sort of fell into it. Did make a choice at one point I suppose but that was about 6 years after I qualified.

drinkyourmilk, that's my attitude towards nannying too. I consider myself to be a career nanny also, but maybe career and vocational are interchangeable when it comes to nannying?

Nannynick, I think it's entirely possible to fall into nannying, love it, and then decide it's what you want to do as a career. In fact I prefer this entry into the world of nannying, to a 16 year old desiding they want to be a nanny, for some reason. I think to get a true feel of life as a nanny you have to do the job for a while first. That's not to say a teenager wanting to be a nanny won't be a good nanny, I just think to decide on a career so young isn't always a true predictor of the career you will go on to have IYSWIM?