In the UK, individuals who provide childcare services to families in their own home are called “Nannies”. Nannies are trained sufficiently and meet basic childcare legal checks to be able to look after a child regardless of age.
Registration on Ofsted’s Childcare Register
Although nannies do not have to register on Ofsted’s General Childcare Register or have a childcare qualification, it is highly beneficial for them to do so because it validates their suitability to work with and care for children. Since 2007, Nannies can do so through the Voluntary General Childcare Register (vGCR). The registration, even though voluntary, comes with certain requirements:
- Enhanced CRB
- Training in common childcare skills, such as communication
- Having a first aid qualification for childcare
- Public Liability Insurance
Qualifications for Nannies
Nannies are not legally required to have a childcare qualification, but there are qualifications that are beneficial for nannies to have which can broaden their opportunities for a career in childcare.
The Council for Awards in Children’s Care and Education (CACHE) allow individuals to gain relevant qualifications in playwork, childcare and education, home-based childcare and also early years.
Attributes of a Nanny
Nannies need a variable spectrum of skills to work with children, and may need to be quite flexible with their time. Some attributes and skills thought to contribute to a good and effective nanny include:
- Confidence and a positive attitude
- Passion and interest in childcare and children
- Organisational and planning skills
- Creativity in arranging and implementing learning opportunities
- Awareness of safety and safeguarding
- First aid training
- Driving experience
- Experience of childcare in different environments
- Ability / experience of working with children irrespective of age
Employing a Nanny
Families decide to employ a nanny for a number of reasons, such as for specific childcare in the home, completion of certain tasks, flexibility in hours of work, experience in childcare and development, for living in or living out according to the families needs. People may tend to avoid nannies who are smokers or desire to have a nanny that can speak a particular language.
Using childcare recruitment agencies
People sometimes go to great lengths to find the “right nanny” for their family setting, and may register with a childcare recruitment agency. Nannies with specific skills, such as working with children who have special needs, may register their speciality with the childcare recruitment agency. Agencies may advertise their services and also available nannies with particular skills or experiences through local media outlets, such as newspapers, magazines or on their website.
The benefit of registering or advertising through childcare recruitment agencies is that they have a record of certain requirements, such as enhanced CRB and basic childcare training, of their candidates, the needs of prospective “employers”, and they strive to make the right match for nanny and employer.
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