Au Pair UK
Working as an Au Pair in the UK is a great way to make a long term visit to the UK affordable and possible.
What can you expect when working as an Au Pair in the UK?
Accommodation:
When working as an Au Pair in the UK you will arrange to work with a family who need help with their children and household. You will be given a room, or sometimes an annexe in the family home as part exchange for your help.
Salary:
In addition to the room or annexe you will be given food, access to household facilities (subject to agreement) and regular income to cover expenses on average £40 to £60 per week. The amount you receive to cover expenses will be modest as your room and board have been provided.
Lots of free time:
Au Pairs working in the UK can work up to 5 hours per day for a maximum of 5 days per week. The maximum hours per week for an Au Pair working in the UK are 25.
Exposure to family life in the UK:
By living with a family in the UK you will become involved in their daily life. Although an Au Pair chooses to work in the UK it cannot be assumed that the family will be British, an Au Pair can choose to work with a family from another culture and experience that culture in a UK setting.
Exposure to the English language
While out and about an Au Pair working in the UK will certainly have every opportunity to brush up on their English. An Au Pair may even choose to attend language classes to help them along.
What can a family expect from an Au Pair working in the UK?
In exchange for room and board an Au Pair working in the UK can provide very valuable support to a family. If a family has a spare room it can be an affordable way of getting that very much-needed extra help.
Tasks and responsibilities can include:
Cleaning
School runs
Baby Sitting
Help with homework
Cooking
Teaching the children their language
Laundry
It is not usual or advisable for an Au Pair working in the UK to provide sole charge care to small children.
If an Au Pair working in the UK has agreed that driving will be included in their responsibilities then they must bring an appropriate passport with them.
When discussing the terms of engagement it is advisable to be clear of everything that is agreed and to get the details in writing, details such as:
Hours of work
Remuneration (what currency, when and how it will be paid)
Responsibilities (create a job spec or weekly rota/job list)
Accommodation (what private space will the Au Pair have?)
Access to household facilities (what can the Au Pair use and how much e.g. telephone)
House rules (e.g. visitors, loud music, alcohol, smoking)
Notice period
Holiday
Some helpful tips on employing an Au Pair to work in the UK:
Take up references in writing and verbally if possible
Validate the authenticity of the referee
Confirm that the Au Pair is authorised to work in the UK
Confirm the identity of the Au Pair
Some helpful tips on seeking work as an Au Pair in the UK:
Ask to speak to a previous Au Pair/Nanny if possible
Avoid families who ask you to send money in advance of your arrival
Avoid families who ask you to contact their ‘travel agent’ to arrange travel
Agree the terms for your return home; either at the agreed end of the engagement or earlier if things do not work out
For information on authorization to work in the UK visit:
http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf28pbsyouthmobility
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Summer Nanny Jobs
It has been a long time since I have worked as a Nanny but I remember that one of the highlights of working as a Nanny is the freedom to get out and about with the children. Being stuck in an office just wasn’t for me; trips to the park and river with the children always broke up the working day.
Children should have access to play and explore outside in all weathers the whole year round, however the freedom to get out and about with the children can be at it’s most enjoyable in the summer.
The need for childcare changes during the long school summer holidays. The wraparound care that parents rely on in term time is often not enough for working parents. Some parents manage to juggle with the help of friends; family and using their annual leave creatively. However this approach to summer childcare can leave everyone feeling frazzled. If at all possible solving your summer holiday childcare needs with a summer Nanny job will create that sense of calm and consistent care. It will also mean that you can use your annual leave for a well-deserved holiday.
So who are you likely to find looking for summer Nanny jobs? Students are probably the most likely applicants, if you can get a student who is studying childcare this would be good, however childcare courses tend to be vocational so most childcare students are in full time employment already. Another possibility is childcare students who have just qualified. Childcare courses do tend to be modular, so it’s not the case that all students qualify in the summer, but inevariably a good number will naturally qualify in July. You may also find Nannies who are looking for a new position that will take on a summer Nanny job to bridge the gap between jobs. You may also find a number of applicants for summer Nanny jobs who are not studying childcare or qualified as a childcare professional. In this case you can consider their experience, reasons for looking for summer Nanny jobs and references. You may find that unqualified applicants will accept a lower salary. Whoever you consider to fill your summer Nanny jobs remember to be vigilant in your recruitment and selection procedures. You will find helpful resources on the www.available2work.com resources page.
Finding a Nanny for your summer Nanny jobs does not need to be too challenging, why not try:
Placing a card in your local shop window
Approaching local colleges and universities
Placing your summer Nanny jobs vacancy with an agency
In addition to this www.available2work.com is a website created exclusively for the childcare community. It provides a unique service for temporary as well as permanent recruitment of childcare staff including Nannies.
To find out more simply visit us. If you would like to register it will only take a few minutes.
Children should have access to play and explore outside in all weathers the whole year round, however the freedom to get out and about with the children can be at it’s most enjoyable in the summer.
The need for childcare changes during the long school summer holidays. The wraparound care that parents rely on in term time is often not enough for working parents. Some parents manage to juggle with the help of friends; family and using their annual leave creatively. However this approach to summer childcare can leave everyone feeling frazzled. If at all possible solving your summer holiday childcare needs with a summer Nanny job will create that sense of calm and consistent care. It will also mean that you can use your annual leave for a well-deserved holiday.
So who are you likely to find looking for summer Nanny jobs? Students are probably the most likely applicants, if you can get a student who is studying childcare this would be good, however childcare courses tend to be vocational so most childcare students are in full time employment already. Another possibility is childcare students who have just qualified. Childcare courses do tend to be modular, so it’s not the case that all students qualify in the summer, but inevariably a good number will naturally qualify in July. You may also find Nannies who are looking for a new position that will take on a summer Nanny job to bridge the gap between jobs. You may also find a number of applicants for summer Nanny jobs who are not studying childcare or qualified as a childcare professional. In this case you can consider their experience, reasons for looking for summer Nanny jobs and references. You may find that unqualified applicants will accept a lower salary. Whoever you consider to fill your summer Nanny jobs remember to be vigilant in your recruitment and selection procedures. You will find helpful resources on the www.available2work.com resources page.
Finding a Nanny for your summer Nanny jobs does not need to be too challenging, why not try:
Placing a card in your local shop window
Approaching local colleges and universities
Placing your summer Nanny jobs vacancy with an agency
In addition to this www.available2work.com is a website created exclusively for the childcare community. It provides a unique service for temporary as well as permanent recruitment of childcare staff including Nannies.
To find out more simply visit us. If you would like to register it will only take a few minutes.
The safe choice? Booking a local Baby Sitter
When looking to hire a Babysitter the reality is that Babysitters will only usually consider local Babysitter jobs because of the issues surrounding safe travel home, late at night.
Babysitter jobs do not offer enough pay to warrant the costs involved in long travelling to Babysitter jobs. In addition to this Babysitter jobs usually finish late at night and it is safer to be travelling just a short distance when returning home. The risks carried by being out alone late at night coupled with the possibility that the Babysitter may be driving while tired would cause concern for any responsible Babysitter and Babysitter hirer.
When I have attended Babysitter jobs the family often express concern that I am okay travelling home at the end of the night. Therefore as Babysitter safety is such an important issue, we must do all that we can to promote the Babysitters safety.
What steps can we take to promote safety at the end of Babysitter jobs?
If the Babysitter does not have a car:
Consider offering a lift home, I would recommend a male drives a male Babysitter home and a female drive a female Babysitter home.
Provide a cab ride home as part of payment; always use a reputable cab firm
Call a cab that the Babysitter will pay for themselves, or go halves!
Check that their mobile phone is charged and working
If a Babysitter decides to walk home alone late at night, this will be their choice, but I would do all I could to discourage this, including refusing to book them again if they do not ensure their journey home is safe.
If the Babysitter does have a car:
Watch them from your front door until they have driven off in their car.
Check that they know their route home
Check that their mobile phone is charged and working
Check that they are not too tired to drive – do they want a quick coffee before driving home
Ensure they thoroughly de-ice their car if required
Above all of these safety steps I highly recommend ensuring that all Babysitters only work as a local Baby Sitter.
If they only have a short journey:
They can take their time and not rush, minimising their risk of accidents
They will spend less time travelling, reducing the risk of any incidents
Any concerns over providing a lift can be minimised by a short distance
Any concerns regarding cab fares are minimised by a shorter journey
While this may seem a bit much, nobody would like an injured Babysitter on their conscience. However ultimately the responsibility does rest with the Babysitter.
So if hiring a local Baby Sitter is a big step in promoting safety and therefore responsible hiring, how do you do this?
Ensure that you only use local ways of seeking a local Baby Sitter.
Cards in local shop windows
Ask friends and neighbours
Join a local Baby Sitter circle
Join an agency
Agencies can be costly; an alternative to this is a new online childcare recruitment service www.available2work.com this site is designed to provide flexible solutions for the large variety of childcare jobs, including finding a local Baby Sitter.
Available2work.com helps you find a local Baby Sitter by allowing you to post your vacancy or search CVs by your postcode or area.
Until the end of April 2009 all membership and vacancy posting is free, so why not take advantage of this great offer, it only takes a few minutes to register.
Babysitter jobs do not offer enough pay to warrant the costs involved in long travelling to Babysitter jobs. In addition to this Babysitter jobs usually finish late at night and it is safer to be travelling just a short distance when returning home. The risks carried by being out alone late at night coupled with the possibility that the Babysitter may be driving while tired would cause concern for any responsible Babysitter and Babysitter hirer.
When I have attended Babysitter jobs the family often express concern that I am okay travelling home at the end of the night. Therefore as Babysitter safety is such an important issue, we must do all that we can to promote the Babysitters safety.
What steps can we take to promote safety at the end of Babysitter jobs?
If the Babysitter does not have a car:
Consider offering a lift home, I would recommend a male drives a male Babysitter home and a female drive a female Babysitter home.
Provide a cab ride home as part of payment; always use a reputable cab firm
Call a cab that the Babysitter will pay for themselves, or go halves!
Check that their mobile phone is charged and working
If a Babysitter decides to walk home alone late at night, this will be their choice, but I would do all I could to discourage this, including refusing to book them again if they do not ensure their journey home is safe.
If the Babysitter does have a car:
Watch them from your front door until they have driven off in their car.
Check that they know their route home
Check that their mobile phone is charged and working
Check that they are not too tired to drive – do they want a quick coffee before driving home
Ensure they thoroughly de-ice their car if required
Above all of these safety steps I highly recommend ensuring that all Babysitters only work as a local Baby Sitter.
If they only have a short journey:
They can take their time and not rush, minimising their risk of accidents
They will spend less time travelling, reducing the risk of any incidents
Any concerns over providing a lift can be minimised by a short distance
Any concerns regarding cab fares are minimised by a shorter journey
While this may seem a bit much, nobody would like an injured Babysitter on their conscience. However ultimately the responsibility does rest with the Babysitter.
So if hiring a local Baby Sitter is a big step in promoting safety and therefore responsible hiring, how do you do this?
Ensure that you only use local ways of seeking a local Baby Sitter.
Cards in local shop windows
Ask friends and neighbours
Join a local Baby Sitter circle
Join an agency
Agencies can be costly; an alternative to this is a new online childcare recruitment service www.available2work.com this site is designed to provide flexible solutions for the large variety of childcare jobs, including finding a local Baby Sitter.
Available2work.com helps you find a local Baby Sitter by allowing you to post your vacancy or search CVs by your postcode or area.
Until the end of April 2009 all membership and vacancy posting is free, so why not take advantage of this great offer, it only takes a few minutes to register.
Monday, 16 March 2009
Find a Babysitter
Finding a Babysitter can be a daunting task, often more intimidating than choosing full time professional childcare. This is because full time childcare is often registered with Ofsted and monitored by local authority, and is almost always undertaken by a professional with relevant qualifications and checks.
A Babysitter can be the neighbour’s fifteen-year-old son or daughter, quite a decision to take with your own child’s sole care while you enjoy a well-deserved night out!
Who seeks Babysitter jobs?
All ages for a wide variety of reasons, from a teenager wanting to subsidise their earnings, support their studies or begin a career in childcare, to a young Mum wanting to earn extra money while caring for their own children right through to the retired pensioner, who loves children. However as stated above a Babysitter is often unqualified and often quite young.
So what steps do you take when trying to find a Babysitter?
• Always interview a potential Babysitter
• Read the Babysitters C.V. – ask to keep a copy
• Always take up at least 2 references, I would recommend following up written references with a telephone call
• Avoid relying on personal references, friends and family will rarely be objective
• Ask for any certificates of relevant training (originals)
• Allow the Babysitter to meet your children, so that you can observe their interaction with your child/ren
• Have a written set of questions to ask each applicant in the interview
• Trust your instincts, if something doesn’t feel right don’t book the Babysitter, even if you are friends with the Babysitters family
• Agree (in writing) the terms of engagement
• Try to make the first time you use a Babysitter a short booking or arrive home earlier than intended, as a sort of spot check
How can you find a Babysitter?
Firstly I would recommend that you find more than one Babysitter as you may find if you only have one Babysitter he or she may not be available for some of your Babysitter jobs.
Places to find a Babysitter
• Place a card in your local shop window
• Look for cards placed in shop windows by Babysitters looking for babysitter jobs
• Ask friends and neighbours
• Join a Babysitters agency
• Ask local day nurseries or nursery schools if you can put up a card advertising your Babysitters jobs to their staff
• Ask around at your local schools
• Join a Babysitters circle – this is where you trade your Babysitting within a group of parents in exchange for Babysitting
• Register with www.available2work.com to find Babysitters or advertise your Babysitter jobs
Babysitter jobs etiquette:
• Always be clear about the time your Babysitter job is to start
• Always keep your booking or provide maximum notice if cancelling, preferably at least 24 hours
• Always leave your home clean, fresh and tidy – never expect your Babysitter to do housework, unless this has been agreed at the interview (you would probably have to pay extra for additional domestic duties)
• Ensure you have the basic refreshments in - tea, coffee, sugar and milk (do not leave alcohol for the Babysitter to drink)
• Always leave a contact number and make sure you can be reached at that number the whole time you are out
• Always pay the Babysitter at the end of the evening, do not ask to defer payment
• Always try to arrive back by the time stated, if you are running late always call and let your Babysitter know
• If you do arrive back late pay the Babysitter extra
• Always stick to the agreements made as the terms of engagement and discuss any amendments
Good Babysitters are hard to find. If you find a Babysitter that is safe, trustworthy, reliable and that your children like, look after him or her so that you can fill your Babysitter jobs with confidence.
A Babysitter can be the neighbour’s fifteen-year-old son or daughter, quite a decision to take with your own child’s sole care while you enjoy a well-deserved night out!
Who seeks Babysitter jobs?
All ages for a wide variety of reasons, from a teenager wanting to subsidise their earnings, support their studies or begin a career in childcare, to a young Mum wanting to earn extra money while caring for their own children right through to the retired pensioner, who loves children. However as stated above a Babysitter is often unqualified and often quite young.
So what steps do you take when trying to find a Babysitter?
• Always interview a potential Babysitter
• Read the Babysitters C.V. – ask to keep a copy
• Always take up at least 2 references, I would recommend following up written references with a telephone call
• Avoid relying on personal references, friends and family will rarely be objective
• Ask for any certificates of relevant training (originals)
• Allow the Babysitter to meet your children, so that you can observe their interaction with your child/ren
• Have a written set of questions to ask each applicant in the interview
• Trust your instincts, if something doesn’t feel right don’t book the Babysitter, even if you are friends with the Babysitters family
• Agree (in writing) the terms of engagement
• Try to make the first time you use a Babysitter a short booking or arrive home earlier than intended, as a sort of spot check
How can you find a Babysitter?
Firstly I would recommend that you find more than one Babysitter as you may find if you only have one Babysitter he or she may not be available for some of your Babysitter jobs.
Places to find a Babysitter
• Place a card in your local shop window
• Look for cards placed in shop windows by Babysitters looking for babysitter jobs
• Ask friends and neighbours
• Join a Babysitters agency
• Ask local day nurseries or nursery schools if you can put up a card advertising your Babysitters jobs to their staff
• Ask around at your local schools
• Join a Babysitters circle – this is where you trade your Babysitting within a group of parents in exchange for Babysitting
• Register with www.available2work.com to find Babysitters or advertise your Babysitter jobs
Babysitter jobs etiquette:
• Always be clear about the time your Babysitter job is to start
• Always keep your booking or provide maximum notice if cancelling, preferably at least 24 hours
• Always leave your home clean, fresh and tidy – never expect your Babysitter to do housework, unless this has been agreed at the interview (you would probably have to pay extra for additional domestic duties)
• Ensure you have the basic refreshments in - tea, coffee, sugar and milk (do not leave alcohol for the Babysitter to drink)
• Always leave a contact number and make sure you can be reached at that number the whole time you are out
• Always pay the Babysitter at the end of the evening, do not ask to defer payment
• Always try to arrive back by the time stated, if you are running late always call and let your Babysitter know
• If you do arrive back late pay the Babysitter extra
• Always stick to the agreements made as the terms of engagement and discuss any amendments
Good Babysitters are hard to find. If you find a Babysitter that is safe, trustworthy, reliable and that your children like, look after him or her so that you can fill your Babysitter jobs with confidence.
NANNY SERVICE
available2work.com is a new childcare recruitment website which aims to offer the ultimate Nanny service, becoming the leading online childcare community. While it intends to cater for the whole childcare community, it began by focusing on providing a Nanny service.
What does available2work have to offer as a Nanny service?
• Permanent job finding service
• Temporary job finding service
• A professionalrating facility
• An online diary
• Useful documents
•A discussion forum
• A Blog with helpful and interesting articles
How do each of these work to ensure that available2work is a useful Nanny service?
Permanent job finding Nanny service:
Once registered (selecting permanent work search) you can build your profile to promote yourself to employers, which can be matched to employers search selections: you can also search for jobs. Any matches made by you or employers will lead to the option to make contact by email.
Temporary job finding Nanny service:
Once registered (selecting temporary work search) you can build your profile as above, however you will also be given the ability to complete your availability for work using a unique diary facility. The employers search will include dates of their vacancy, if you match the dates as well as other search criteria you will be presented as a candidate to email.
Professional rating facility Nanny service:
For any candidatewho works on a temporary booking via available2work.com employers will have the opportunity to rate and review the temporary staff member on the website, providing an online referencing service. This means the more positions you work and get good ratings for the greater benefit your career will experience.
Online diary facility Nanny service:
As described above if you wish to use available2work as your ‘office’ for finding and managing your temporary work, keeping your diary up to date will enable potential booking parents to match your availability to their childcare needs.
Useful documents Nanny service:
On the www.available2work.com resources page you will find resources that will help you in your Nanny job search, such as a template contract of employment. All these documents are free to download and use.
Discussion forum Nannyservice:
Our discussion forum is called childcare chat and it is just that. Our aim is that all members of the childcare and parenting community will use it to discuss childcare issues. Nannies can meet other Nannies, provide support and share ideas.
The available2work.com Blog Nanny service:
In addition to the resources page there are a growing number of helpful and informative articles on the Blog. Have a read and if you want to comment you can do so on the Blog or in our childcare chat discussion forum.
Available2work.com is owned and managed by Kim who has worked as a childcare professional for over16 years. She began as a registered childminder and until recently was working as an Early Years Consultant, Kim is passionate to see available2work.comprovide a genuinely useful Nanny service. If there is something you would like to see covered in the discussion forum, Blog or resources page simply go to www.available2work.com and email her, she will be delighted to hear from you.
What does available2work have to offer as a Nanny service?
• Permanent job finding service
• Temporary job finding service
• A professionalrating facility
• An online diary
• Useful documents
•A discussion forum
• A Blog with helpful and interesting articles
How do each of these work to ensure that available2work is a useful Nanny service?
Permanent job finding Nanny service:
Once registered (selecting permanent work search) you can build your profile to promote yourself to employers, which can be matched to employers search selections: you can also search for jobs. Any matches made by you or employers will lead to the option to make contact by email.
Temporary job finding Nanny service:
Once registered (selecting temporary work search) you can build your profile as above, however you will also be given the ability to complete your availability for work using a unique diary facility. The employers search will include dates of their vacancy, if you match the dates as well as other search criteria you will be presented as a candidate to email.
Professional rating facility Nanny service:
For any candidatewho works on a temporary booking via available2work.com employers will have the opportunity to rate and review the temporary staff member on the website, providing an online referencing service. This means the more positions you work and get good ratings for the greater benefit your career will experience.
Online diary facility Nanny service:
As described above if you wish to use available2work as your ‘office’ for finding and managing your temporary work, keeping your diary up to date will enable potential booking parents to match your availability to their childcare needs.
Useful documents Nanny service:
On the www.available2work.com resources page you will find resources that will help you in your Nanny job search, such as a template contract of employment. All these documents are free to download and use.
Discussion forum Nannyservice:
Our discussion forum is called childcare chat and it is just that. Our aim is that all members of the childcare and parenting community will use it to discuss childcare issues. Nannies can meet other Nannies, provide support and share ideas.
The available2work.com Blog Nanny service:
In addition to the resources page there are a growing number of helpful and informative articles on the Blog. Have a read and if you want to comment you can do so on the Blog or in our childcare chat discussion forum.
Available2work.com is owned and managed by Kim who has worked as a childcare professional for over16 years. She began as a registered childminder and until recently was working as an Early Years Consultant, Kim is passionate to see available2work.comprovide a genuinely useful Nanny service. If there is something you would like to see covered in the discussion forum, Blog or resources page simply go to www.available2work.com and email her, she will be delighted to hear from you.
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
Choosing childcare Nanny vs Nursery
Deciding on which kind of childcare you will choose can be a daunting decision. What are the pros and cons of each option and which kind of care will suit you best?
Below are some thoughts that will help you consider the options of choosing a Nanny or nursery.
Good luck with your decision making?
Convenience
Nanny pros: A Nanny will come to your home and work outside the usual hours that a nursery opens.
This means no packing bags in the mornings and travelling to nursery before your workday starts.
You can also enjoy returning straight home from work to your child who is fed and settled ready for bed, if this is what you would like.
If your child becomes unwell at nursery school or school, your Nanny will be available to collect your child for you, with limited delay.
Nanny cons: When your Nanny calls in sick or takes annual leave you will need to find your own alternative childcare, often at short notice. This can cause problems if the Nanny requires long-term sick leave or maternity leave.
Nursery pros: A nursery is typically open 50 to 52 weeks per year, at consistent hours. You can rely on the nursery to provide a consistent and reliable service.
Nursery cons: You will have the added daily preparation, packing and commute on top of your career demands. Often nurseries ask you to provide bottles, nappies etc.
If your child becomes unwell at nursery you will need to leave work to collect your child.
Accountability
Nanny pros:
You can enjoy a personal relationship with your Nanny, which is based upon trust and regular communication.
You can make arrangements to have surveillance in your home, for peace of mind (we recommend you do this with the Nannies knowledge).
Nanny cons:
In most cases a Nanny will have no accountability. They will have sole charge of children and spend large amounts of time in the family home with children unsupervised.
In America they have a system like our ‘How am I driving’ signs. A sign is attached to the child’s buggy asking – good Nanny? With a phone number for members of the public to report any concerns.
Nursery pros:
As nurseries employ teams that work together there is a high level of accountability.
The Management Team within a nursery should be holding the staff team accountable with good staff management systems. Hopefully if a staff member provides unsuitable care a colleague will report them.
Nursery cons:
Just because children in nurseries are being cared for by a team rather than an individual, this does not guarantee that children are receiving the care that you require. Often a team working in a room have a culture and colleagues can support bad practice as well as good practice.
In addition to this the management team are often struggling to keep up with the paper work responsibilities, leaving the staff team working largely unchecked.
Quality of care
Nanny pros:
You have complete control over the childcare provider chosen to care for your child.
You set the requirements and establish the job description.
The care provided will be in the child’s own home with personal focused attention.
If the family has only one child the child will enjoy 1 to 1 attention.
Nannies enjoy a role that is flexible and facilitates responding to the needs of the child.
If the child becomes fractious in the house the Nanny can decide to take the child on an outing, without having to consider the needs of any other children.
You can have control over your child’s diet, as you will have done the food shopping and can give clear guidance to your Nanny.
Nanny cons:
There are no governing bodies controlling the standards of Nanny provision.
It is difficult for a Nanny to develop professionally with little motivation to do so.
Once qualified a Nanny has limited access to expensive further training or qualifications.
It is also difficult to release Nannies from their daily jobs to attend training.
Being a Nanny can be a lonely job, as a Nanny works alone loneliness can impact their professional performance.
Nannies do not have any on going requirements to meet; the care is then subject to the Nannies training and ethos.
Nursery pros:
The government has invested a lot of resources into raising the standards of nursery care.
Every term nurseries receive a list of training courses provided by their local authority, designed to meet the training needs of the nurseries within their area. These courses are either free or heavily subsidised, along with subsidies for arranging cover staff. In addition to training, further qualifications are supported with heavy subsidies often from 80% to 100% of the course fees for nursery employees.
Nurseries have regular staff meetings providing ongoing in house professional development.
The government have provided a curriculum that all nurseries are required to follow. Nurseries are required to provide evidence that every child is receiving the care and education set out in the curriculum.
Nursery cons: Nurseries comply with child to adult ratios.
Children aged 0-2 yrs = 1 adult to 3 children
Children aged 2-3 years = 1 adult to 4 children
Children aged 3 years + = 1 adult to 8 children
Often staff are taken up with cleaning, organising and paper work, so these ratios do not reflect the level of contact children constantly receive.
Because nurseries are legally required to meet the adult to child ratio’s the Management Team can feel forced into employing staff that that do not meet their expectations, this can lead to a poor performing staff team.
The care can be impersonal and feel institutionalised.
You will have little control over your child’s diet, and sometimes the children are not given what the menu states.
Continuity of careNanny pros:
A committed Nanny may stay with you for years.
Often Nannies maintain contact beyond their employment.
Nanny cons:
If your Nanny hands in notice to terminate employment, it could have a devastating effect on the children, coming to terms with saying goodbye and getting to know a new Nanny.
You will also face the pressure of finding a replacement.
Nursery pros:
Regardless of staff turnover there will always be a team of childcare professionals available to care for your children.
Nurseries implement a key worker system, this means that although there are a number of carers in the setting one staff member will take special responsibility for your child’s needs.
Nursery cons:
If a nursery has a high turnover of staff or high level of staff sickness, the continuity of care will be compromised.
A variety of new, cover and agency staff can be disruptive for children.
Relationship Nanny pros:
As the Nanny works in your home caring just for your children, hopefully you will enjoy loyalty, with a real commitment to you and your children.
Nanny cons:
The relationship can become too personal and emotional. You may find approaching any problems with your Nanny very difficult.
The boundaries between professional and personal can get confused.
Nursery pros:
The relationship with a nursery will be professional. The nursery should have a policy setting out their approach to parent/carer partnership. You can ask to read this policy, along with all their other policies.
Nursery cons:
You may feel that you are just another parent/client and find that the relationship is impersonal.
Cost Nanny pros: If you have more than one child a Nanny could work out less expensive. You can negotiate on the salary and what services will be included.
The Nanny will sometimes provide domestic duties in your home, which is an added bonus.
Nanny cons:
If you only have one child you may find a nursery more competitive. As an employer of a Nanny you are legally responsible for the tax, National Insurance, annual leave, sick pay etc. This can all add up and prove to be quite a responsibility.
Nursery Pros:
Contrasting to Nannies if you have more than one child a nursery can be expensive. However you have no employee responsibilities, so no additional costs or responsibilities. Nursery care is funded by the Nursery Education Grant (NEG); this funding starts from the beginning of the term following your child’s third birthday. You do not need to do anything to claim this, the nursery will deduct this from your invoice.
Nursery cons: If you have more than one child the cost can really mount up. You could be alarmed at short notice by a letter informing you that a nursery is putting up its fees. You will have little say or opportunity to negotiate.
To summarise Nanny care:
Can be personal and homely, while unaccountable.
Nursery care: Can be less homely but accountable.
I do empathise with any parent trying to decide which childcare to choose. It is probably one of the most important decisions you will ever make. I have worked in childcare for over 16 years seeing many children happily enjoying the childcare that their parents have chosen.
May I make one further childcare suggestion, that of a registered Childminder who could offer a combination of the best of both the Nanny and nursery.The care is homely, but all the professional support that nurseries benefit from are available to Childminders. A Childminder does not need to be qualified, but they will be required to attend training and undergo an Ofsted inspection before registration.They will be inspected by Oftsed regularly (usually every 2-3 years). Childminders are required to meet a variety of care and educational requirements and provide evidence of this in the same way that Nurseries are.Please remember after all the research and questioning, trust your instincts and if you find you are dissatisfied with the childcare option you have chosen, you can change your childcare. With support, children can be very adaptable to change.
Below are some thoughts that will help you consider the options of choosing a Nanny or nursery.
Good luck with your decision making?
Convenience
Nanny pros: A Nanny will come to your home and work outside the usual hours that a nursery opens.
This means no packing bags in the mornings and travelling to nursery before your workday starts.
You can also enjoy returning straight home from work to your child who is fed and settled ready for bed, if this is what you would like.
If your child becomes unwell at nursery school or school, your Nanny will be available to collect your child for you, with limited delay.
Nanny cons: When your Nanny calls in sick or takes annual leave you will need to find your own alternative childcare, often at short notice. This can cause problems if the Nanny requires long-term sick leave or maternity leave.
Nursery pros: A nursery is typically open 50 to 52 weeks per year, at consistent hours. You can rely on the nursery to provide a consistent and reliable service.
Nursery cons: You will have the added daily preparation, packing and commute on top of your career demands. Often nurseries ask you to provide bottles, nappies etc.
If your child becomes unwell at nursery you will need to leave work to collect your child.
Accountability
Nanny pros:
You can enjoy a personal relationship with your Nanny, which is based upon trust and regular communication.
You can make arrangements to have surveillance in your home, for peace of mind (we recommend you do this with the Nannies knowledge).
Nanny cons:
In most cases a Nanny will have no accountability. They will have sole charge of children and spend large amounts of time in the family home with children unsupervised.
In America they have a system like our ‘How am I driving’ signs. A sign is attached to the child’s buggy asking – good Nanny? With a phone number for members of the public to report any concerns.
Nursery pros:
As nurseries employ teams that work together there is a high level of accountability.
The Management Team within a nursery should be holding the staff team accountable with good staff management systems. Hopefully if a staff member provides unsuitable care a colleague will report them.
Nursery cons:
Just because children in nurseries are being cared for by a team rather than an individual, this does not guarantee that children are receiving the care that you require. Often a team working in a room have a culture and colleagues can support bad practice as well as good practice.
In addition to this the management team are often struggling to keep up with the paper work responsibilities, leaving the staff team working largely unchecked.
Quality of care
Nanny pros:
You have complete control over the childcare provider chosen to care for your child.
You set the requirements and establish the job description.
The care provided will be in the child’s own home with personal focused attention.
If the family has only one child the child will enjoy 1 to 1 attention.
Nannies enjoy a role that is flexible and facilitates responding to the needs of the child.
If the child becomes fractious in the house the Nanny can decide to take the child on an outing, without having to consider the needs of any other children.
You can have control over your child’s diet, as you will have done the food shopping and can give clear guidance to your Nanny.
Nanny cons:
There are no governing bodies controlling the standards of Nanny provision.
It is difficult for a Nanny to develop professionally with little motivation to do so.
Once qualified a Nanny has limited access to expensive further training or qualifications.
It is also difficult to release Nannies from their daily jobs to attend training.
Being a Nanny can be a lonely job, as a Nanny works alone loneliness can impact their professional performance.
Nannies do not have any on going requirements to meet; the care is then subject to the Nannies training and ethos.
Nursery pros:
The government has invested a lot of resources into raising the standards of nursery care.
Every term nurseries receive a list of training courses provided by their local authority, designed to meet the training needs of the nurseries within their area. These courses are either free or heavily subsidised, along with subsidies for arranging cover staff. In addition to training, further qualifications are supported with heavy subsidies often from 80% to 100% of the course fees for nursery employees.
Nurseries have regular staff meetings providing ongoing in house professional development.
The government have provided a curriculum that all nurseries are required to follow. Nurseries are required to provide evidence that every child is receiving the care and education set out in the curriculum.
Nursery cons: Nurseries comply with child to adult ratios.
Children aged 0-2 yrs = 1 adult to 3 children
Children aged 2-3 years = 1 adult to 4 children
Children aged 3 years + = 1 adult to 8 children
Often staff are taken up with cleaning, organising and paper work, so these ratios do not reflect the level of contact children constantly receive.
Because nurseries are legally required to meet the adult to child ratio’s the Management Team can feel forced into employing staff that that do not meet their expectations, this can lead to a poor performing staff team.
The care can be impersonal and feel institutionalised.
You will have little control over your child’s diet, and sometimes the children are not given what the menu states.
Continuity of careNanny pros:
A committed Nanny may stay with you for years.
Often Nannies maintain contact beyond their employment.
Nanny cons:
If your Nanny hands in notice to terminate employment, it could have a devastating effect on the children, coming to terms with saying goodbye and getting to know a new Nanny.
You will also face the pressure of finding a replacement.
Nursery pros:
Regardless of staff turnover there will always be a team of childcare professionals available to care for your children.
Nurseries implement a key worker system, this means that although there are a number of carers in the setting one staff member will take special responsibility for your child’s needs.
Nursery cons:
If a nursery has a high turnover of staff or high level of staff sickness, the continuity of care will be compromised.
A variety of new, cover and agency staff can be disruptive for children.
Relationship Nanny pros:
As the Nanny works in your home caring just for your children, hopefully you will enjoy loyalty, with a real commitment to you and your children.
Nanny cons:
The relationship can become too personal and emotional. You may find approaching any problems with your Nanny very difficult.
The boundaries between professional and personal can get confused.
Nursery pros:
The relationship with a nursery will be professional. The nursery should have a policy setting out their approach to parent/carer partnership. You can ask to read this policy, along with all their other policies.
Nursery cons:
You may feel that you are just another parent/client and find that the relationship is impersonal.
Cost Nanny pros: If you have more than one child a Nanny could work out less expensive. You can negotiate on the salary and what services will be included.
The Nanny will sometimes provide domestic duties in your home, which is an added bonus.
Nanny cons:
If you only have one child you may find a nursery more competitive. As an employer of a Nanny you are legally responsible for the tax, National Insurance, annual leave, sick pay etc. This can all add up and prove to be quite a responsibility.
Nursery Pros:
Contrasting to Nannies if you have more than one child a nursery can be expensive. However you have no employee responsibilities, so no additional costs or responsibilities. Nursery care is funded by the Nursery Education Grant (NEG); this funding starts from the beginning of the term following your child’s third birthday. You do not need to do anything to claim this, the nursery will deduct this from your invoice.
Nursery cons: If you have more than one child the cost can really mount up. You could be alarmed at short notice by a letter informing you that a nursery is putting up its fees. You will have little say or opportunity to negotiate.
To summarise Nanny care:
Can be personal and homely, while unaccountable.
Nursery care: Can be less homely but accountable.
I do empathise with any parent trying to decide which childcare to choose. It is probably one of the most important decisions you will ever make. I have worked in childcare for over 16 years seeing many children happily enjoying the childcare that their parents have chosen.
May I make one further childcare suggestion, that of a registered Childminder who could offer a combination of the best of both the Nanny and nursery.The care is homely, but all the professional support that nurseries benefit from are available to Childminders. A Childminder does not need to be qualified, but they will be required to attend training and undergo an Ofsted inspection before registration.They will be inspected by Oftsed regularly (usually every 2-3 years). Childminders are required to meet a variety of care and educational requirements and provide evidence of this in the same way that Nurseries are.Please remember after all the research and questioning, trust your instincts and if you find you are dissatisfied with the childcare option you have chosen, you can change your childcare. With support, children can be very adaptable to change.
What is a Doula?
What is a Doula?
Working as a Doula is said to be unlikely to make you rich but be a very rewarding career.
A Doula can work with a Mother and partner providing emotional and practical support throughout pregnancy, Labour, birth and postpartum. A Doula is not a medical professional but is an important support at such an unpredictable and emotionally intense time of life. Services that a Doula may provide include:
• Explanations of medical procedures
• Emotional support
• Preparation for labour, including writing a birthing plan
• Massage
• Support with coping with pain
• Support with discussing needs with medical professionals
• Positioning support during labor and birth
• Supporting the birthing partner to be able to best support the mother
• Help with breastfeeding preparation and the initial care of baby
• Take records of the birth – written, photographic etc Professional
The Doula role is a professional role, parents will be expecting a professional service that will support and enhance their experience. As labour and birth is unpredictable a Doula will be required to remain calm and supportive even in times of extreme stress and concern.
A Doula will need to be self-aware and remain objective, separating their own feelings and beliefs from the choices of the Mother and circumstances of each family they support.
It would be advisable for a Doula to have a written contract with each family to outline the services that will be provided and the fees.
A Doula will need to be extremely flexible. A call from an expectant Mother can come at any hour, saying that she has gone into labour. The Mother will expect the Doula to remain on call for an agreed period of time around the labour (usually from 38 to 42 weeks pregnant).
To support a Mother and her partner a Doula will need to be a good communicator. This includes listening, it is vital that a Doula understands the Mother’s needs and wishes and can help her communicate this.
Be patient and caring, being with a Mother in such a special time of life is a privilege.
A Doula’s care will be invaluable in helping the Mother remain calm and cope, making the most of the miraculous experience. Labour can take a very long time, sometimes more than 24 hours. A Doula will be required to forego sleep and remain by the Mother’s side assisting and supporting.
Self-employedIt is usual for a Doula to work as self-employed. This means finding their own clients, managing the workload and completing annual tax returns.
For information on working as self-employed, please see the resources page www.available2work.com Getting started.
There are no legal requirements for a Doula to be qualified, but experience would be essential without any training. It has been said that a Doula never stops training as each labour and delivery can be so different. Some Doulas begin by assisting family and friends with their pregnancy, labour, delivery and postpartum care. It is not necessary for a Doula to have experienced labour themselves, but it could be viewed as an advantage. For training there are a number of courses that can be attended. To begin finding clients with available2work.com register as a Doula and create your profile. As working as Doula is temporary work we provide you with a diary in your available2work.com account, so that potential clients can match their needs with your availability.
Working as a Doula is said to be unlikely to make you rich but be a very rewarding career.
A Doula can work with a Mother and partner providing emotional and practical support throughout pregnancy, Labour, birth and postpartum. A Doula is not a medical professional but is an important support at such an unpredictable and emotionally intense time of life. Services that a Doula may provide include:
• Explanations of medical procedures
• Emotional support
• Preparation for labour, including writing a birthing plan
• Massage
• Support with coping with pain
• Support with discussing needs with medical professionals
• Positioning support during labor and birth
• Supporting the birthing partner to be able to best support the mother
• Help with breastfeeding preparation and the initial care of baby
• Take records of the birth – written, photographic etc Professional
The Doula role is a professional role, parents will be expecting a professional service that will support and enhance their experience. As labour and birth is unpredictable a Doula will be required to remain calm and supportive even in times of extreme stress and concern.
A Doula will need to be self-aware and remain objective, separating their own feelings and beliefs from the choices of the Mother and circumstances of each family they support.
It would be advisable for a Doula to have a written contract with each family to outline the services that will be provided and the fees.
A Doula will need to be extremely flexible. A call from an expectant Mother can come at any hour, saying that she has gone into labour. The Mother will expect the Doula to remain on call for an agreed period of time around the labour (usually from 38 to 42 weeks pregnant).
To support a Mother and her partner a Doula will need to be a good communicator. This includes listening, it is vital that a Doula understands the Mother’s needs and wishes and can help her communicate this.
Be patient and caring, being with a Mother in such a special time of life is a privilege.
A Doula’s care will be invaluable in helping the Mother remain calm and cope, making the most of the miraculous experience. Labour can take a very long time, sometimes more than 24 hours. A Doula will be required to forego sleep and remain by the Mother’s side assisting and supporting.
Self-employedIt is usual for a Doula to work as self-employed. This means finding their own clients, managing the workload and completing annual tax returns.
For information on working as self-employed, please see the resources page www.available2work.com Getting started.
There are no legal requirements for a Doula to be qualified, but experience would be essential without any training. It has been said that a Doula never stops training as each labour and delivery can be so different. Some Doulas begin by assisting family and friends with their pregnancy, labour, delivery and postpartum care. It is not necessary for a Doula to have experienced labour themselves, but it could be viewed as an advantage. For training there are a number of courses that can be attended. To begin finding clients with available2work.com register as a Doula and create your profile. As working as Doula is temporary work we provide you with a diary in your available2work.com account, so that potential clients can match their needs with your availability.
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