If you are looking for part time jobs that can also give you a rewarding career, there are lots of options out there. And being a nanny could be the perfect option for you!
Beginning with thinking about your passions lie, if you love to spend time with children, you could think about roles where you get to do this. Of course, there are so many different options out there for working with children of different ages.
You might want to be a part time childminder, for example. For some of you, though, you might find being a nanny is more rewarding and better suited to your situation.
What Is The Difference Between Being A Nanny And A Childminder?
Whether you are a nanny or a childminder, your role will be to look after children. We have written before about the role of the childminder. But how does the role of the nanny differ from that of the childminder?
According to the London School of Childcare Studies:
“A nanny is generally employed by parents which allows them certain rights such as annual holiday, maternity leave and all other benefits an employee has for a company. A childminder looks after children in their own setting and is paid to look after a few different children at a time.”
Rather than working from your own home, as a nanny, you will be looking after children in their own home.
Being a nanny is a rewarding and fulfilling career choice for those of you who enjoy working with children and making a positive impact on their lives. Obviously, you will earn a salary as a nanny but the positive impact that you have on the life of a child in your care is the biggest reward of the job.
For busy and working parents, nannies play a crucial role in providing childcare, nurturing development, and creating a safe and supportive environment for children.
If you think it could be the career choice for you, read on for more information.
This article will provide you with an overview of how to become a nanny in the UK and outline the primary duties and responsibilities associated with the role.
How Do You Become A Nanny In The UK?
There are different paths you can take to becoming a nanny in the UK. Whether you are in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, note that each country may have slightly different requirements. Make sure you know what you need to do for your own situation.
Be The Right Person For The Job
Before we get into the qualifications and experience needed to become a nanny, you first need to know whether this is the right career path for you. Have you got the necessary traits and personality for the role of being a successful nanny?
- Do you enjoy being around children? Obviously, this is the most important consideration in deciding whether or not becoming a nanny is for you.
- Can you work flexible hours? Lots of people work as a nanny on a part time basis but there are going to be times when you might be asked to work some extra hours if the parents need to work longer hours over a short period for example.
- Are you comfortable in other people’s homes? A nanny works in the home of the family so that the child can stay in their own home. You will need to create a safe and comfortable environment for the child when the parents are not there.
- Have you got patience and compassion? You are going to need a lot of this when you are working with children in a home environment.
- Are you punctual? Good timekeeping skills are essential as a nanny. If you are going to look after children while parents are working, for example, if you are late to work, this will cause the parents to be late for work.
Gain Relevant Experience For Being A Nanny
While formal qualifications are not mandatory for becoming a nanny, it is essential to have relevant experience working with children.
Remember, you are going to be going into someone’s home to look after their child. Those parents need to be completely happy that you are the person they want to do the job. This means previous experience is essential.
How do you go about getting that experience? This can be experience that you have gained from paid work or volunteering.
For volunteering roles, this can include
- volunteering in schools
- assisting in childcare centres and activity clubs
- babysitting for family and friends.
For example, your local schools in the area might be looking for volunteers to read with the children or to help out at after school clubs or breakfast clubs.
Think about volunteering with other kids’ clubs such as Brownies and other organisations that arrange children’s activities.
If you can show you have done volunteer work on your CV, this can demonstrate to parents that you genuinely love to be around children and enjoy working with them.
Experience in related fields such as working as a teaching assistant, teaching or healthcare can also be beneficial.
Get The Qualifications
It is not compulsory to have formal qualifications to become a nanny. However, if you are applying for nanny jobs, parents are likely to take you more seriously if they can see that you have committed to doing relevant courses and been awarded with qualifications.
There are Level 1 and Level 2 courses you can do as well as Level 3 courses.
Level 3 courses could be:
- CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Childcare and Education
- NCFE Cache Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and Care can greatly enhance your employability.
These qualifications provide in-depth knowledge and understanding of child development, health, and safety. With the NCFE qualification, you will be able to demonstrate that you have an in depth knowledge of children’s development up to the age of 7.
If you are keen to do on the job training, you could look into doing an Apprenticeship on a part time basis.
Complete Paediatric First Aid Training
Having a valid paediatric first aid certificate is crucial as it demonstrates your ability to respond effectively to emergencies and safeguard the children in your care.
There are many many training providers out there that offer specialised courses that focus on paediatric first aid for nannies, childminders and childcare professionals.
It will depend on the families you are working with what level of first aid training they would prefer and there are courses out there that vary in length. Some recognised courses can be completed in 12 hours, over two days.
Apply For A DBS Check
In the UK, individuals working with children are required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
This background check ensures the safety of children by verifying that the applicant has no relevant criminal convictions.
DBS checks can take a while to be completed so it is worth getting this done as soon as possible so that if you are offered a part time nanny job, you are in a position to take on the role.
Consider Joining Professional Nanny Associations
There are lots of benefits to becoming a member of a professional association when nannying.
It shows that you are committed to our profession when applying for roles. These associations also give you access to resources and trainşng for your ongoing professional development.
The International Nanny Association (INA) can provide valuable networking opportunities, access to resources, and ongoing professional development.
Nannying can be a lonely job but being part of an organisation like this will put you in touch with other nannies from around the globe and give you the opportunity to attend events, both in person and online. There is also a support group and lots of practical advice about your employment rights.
What Are The Duties And Responsibilities Of A Nanny?
Once you’ve got the necessary credentials and you are all set to apply for part time nanny jobs, what are you likely to be doing once you are in your role?
Obviously, this depends on the needs of the family you will be working with and the hours you will be working. But generally, there will be some common duties. These will include:
Childcare Provision
This is the primary responsibility of a nanny. Providing high-quality childcare for the family they are working with.
This includes supervising and ensuring the safety of the children, engaging in age-appropriate activities, and promoting their emotional, intellectual, and physical development.
If you have worked with children previously and also have some formal qualifications under your belt, you will be well versed in creating activities that help the child or children in your care to develop.
Establishing Routines
Again, the types of routines you establish will depend on the hours you are working with the family and the children.
When parents are not around, they need to know their children are being well cared for and a routine is crucial to this care.
Depending on the age of the child or children you are looking after, this can include set meal times, bedtime routines or nap times during the day.
As a nanny, it is your job to create a structured environment that fosters stability and helps children feel secure.
Educational Support
Nannies can support children’s educational development in various ways, depending on the age of the child.
Stimulating activities such as structured play or helping with cooking tasks in the kitchen can help a child’s development. Nannies will also need to assist with homework and other school projects.
For some nanny jobs, you might also take the child out of the house to run errands, on outings or to take part in extracurricular activities such as sports clubs, dance groups or other clubs that the child is a part of.
For this reason, it is a good idea to have a driving licence.
Health and Safety
As a nanny, you will be responsible for ensuring the well-being and safety of the children in your care. This includes maintaining a clean and child-friendly environment, preparing nutritious meals and promoting good hygiene practices.
You are in loco parentis so you will be doing what any responsible parent would be doing when they are not there.
Communication With Parents
Maintaining open and effective communication with parents or guardians is really important when you are a nanny. Communication with parents will usually be about:
- Updates on the child’s general progress
- Any concerns you might have about the child. This could be behaviour issues or anything you might have noticed with their learning and development
- Collaborating with parents to ensure consistent parenting approaches. Consistency is important for children
- Regular updates with parents about trips you might be taking or meal plans, for example
Household Management
Depending on the family you are working with and the needs and expectations of the parents, as a nanny, there will be at least some degree of household management to undertake. These are often related to the care of the child you are looking after.
Household chores might include tasks such as:
- Tidying up children’s play areas
- Doing their laundry
- Preparing meals – including meals for children who might have special dietary requirements
It is important to note that a nanny’s primary focus should always be on the well-being and development of the children in your care.
Any household chores you do in your role should be discussed with the parents and you should have clear boundaries on what you are prepared to do as part of your role.
Is Nannying The Career For You?
Becoming a nanny in the UK can be a fulfilling and enriching career choice for those of you who have a passion for working with children.
If you have the relevant experience and you can demonstrate the commitment to your career – qualifications are a great way to do this – you can start your search for part time jobs, today. Prepare your CV and get those relevant references on there that will convince families you are the perfect nanny for theşr child.
Join agencies or apply directly for roles.
Whether it’s jobs that involve looking after children or other positions you are looking for, take a look to see if there are any part time jobs to suit you in our current listings.
