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There are many educational qualifications available to nannies in the UK:
Most commonly nannies are now completing a degree in Early Years or similar, these are offered at various universities in the UK, the most famous is Norland College in Bath.
This is a three year degree and includes course work and placements to offer hands on experience in a variety of childcare settings.
Candidates can also study a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Early Years. This qualification is completed whilst working full time, normally in a nursery. It normally takes a year or two to complete, depending on how quickly the candidate completes coursework.
In order to be considered able to work as a nanny, we expect a Level 3 or above to be completed.
Traditionally candidates studied the Diploma in childcare and education offered by NNEB (Nursery Nurse Examining Board) which was then superseded by the CACHE issuing body.
These two courses included practical experience as well as time in the classroom and took two years to complete.
You can study a Montessori Diploma, or a teaching degree or you could specialise in working with children with additional needs.
Each country will have their own courses; in Australia this could be a TAFE Diploma in Community services whereas in New Zealand there is a government based initiative which aims to teach parents and child carers alike the best way to look after young children. A few nannies will have gone through the PORSE system and completed their qualifications.
If you’re unsure if your international qualification is applicable in the UK, we advise you to contact NARIC, the UK government body which compares international diplomas and offers a statement of comparability.
As a childcare professional we also highly recommend you hold liability insurance. Two of the most well known providers in the UK are Morton Michel and Nannytax, but of course there are many more out there.
Your Signature Staff consultant will be able to advise you on this.
We require a minimum of 3 years’ experience of working in a private household.
If you are working with children, will be required to apply for the enhanced DBS.
Signature Staff are an authorised body and consequently can assist you and fast-track your DBS application.
The cost of an enhanced DBS is £55.
There are a number of qualifications a maternity nurse may have including:
There are many development courses qualifications available to nannies. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) provides the children in your care the best possible start in life, as well as helping to future proof your career.
Attending courses both online and in person will help develop your knowledge and skills as well as offering you the opportunity to meet and network with other likeminded professionals.
Some companies and courses we recommend include;
There are of course many other course providers on the market so have a look and see what fits for you.
Only candidates who are working with children must hold a Paediatric First Aid certificate.
This fully incorporates all the necessary modules and is valid for 3 years after which time you will need to repeat the 2 day course.
No fee is paid by candidates at any time during their interaction with Signature Staff.
References: we require you to have at least 3 years’ experience with checkable references – we don’t just stop at two referees
Face-to-Face Meeting: We ask you to attend a face to face meeting at our Central London office, during this interview, we’ll verify your identity, working rights; site your documentation and make sure we have a thorough understanding of your skill-set, experience and what you are looking for in a job.
Most countries have differing tax legislation. Your Signature Staff consultant will advise you on this if you apply for an overseas position.
Equivalently your holiday entitlements will differ too, and will be set-out in your employment contract.
Your Signature Staff consultant can provide a draft contract of employment although sometimes your prospective employers will provide one.
Your Signature Staff consultant will advise you as to the standard terms currently prevailing in the market at that particular point in time to ensure you are treated fairly.
Your employer will register with Nannytax, having inputted your gross pay and other relevant information into the Nannytax portal.
Nannytax will automatically generate a monthly payslip for you which will set out your gross pay and your net pay with the difference being deductions for tax, pension contributions, student loan repayments (if applicable).
The average time from start to finish is 2-6 weeks.
The Signature Staff team spend a significant amount of time drawing up a shortlist of candidates whom, based on both your domestic staff requirements and their skill-set and personality, are the best-fit for your domestic staffing requirements.
Additional time needs to be factored in for the client and candidate schedules for interviews.
We require a minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a private household.
All permanent employees in a household who work are employed, not self-employed.
Those candidates who work on a temporary basis (full-time or part-time) are self-employed and responsible themselves for declaring their income and meeting the accompanying tax obligations.
We advise all staff to talk in terms of a gross salary when accepting a new position, the agency can advise on standard rates of pay to expect.
