Being a 'Northern' Nanny

Something Sarah has noticed working in the childcare industry is that many families don’t know the differences between different childcare settings and the key pros and cons of each. She recognises that there is a stigma around both being a Nanny and working in childcare in general that needs to be broken down.   In this episode Sarah talks to Kirsty Seccombe about this, their personal experiences working in childcare and what needs to change in the industry.   KEY TAKEAWAYS   Because of Covid Sarah’s days as a Nanny have been quite different but she has learnt a lot from homeschooling and the other things she has had to adapt to with the three children she looks after. One of the amazing things that Sarah and Kirsty get to do in their jobs is be part of raising someone else’s children – it’s truly incredible. Kirsty got into childcare after studying health and social care and realising it wasn’t for her, so she got an apprenticeship in a nursery and absolutely loved it. Then one day she realised that although she loved working with children she didn’t want to work in the nursery setting. So she got into Nannying. After doing her degree and working as a supply teacher for a year Sarah decided she didn’t want to work in teaching anymore. She just wanted a few extra hours and registered as a nanny on childcare.com, met a lovely family and started working for them. Both Sarah and Kirsty recognises the changes around security and safety that is needed for Nanny's. It's something Sarah has built into her Nannying business but advises Nanny's that it is perfectly ok to do background checks and ask for references from the family you are thinking of working with. BEST MOMENTS   “When you say the word Nanny…people look at it as being a bit snobby”   “It’s almost like you become everyone’s big sister, including mum and dad”   “I’d fallen into a job and I realised straight away this is what I need to be doing”   VALUABLE RESOURCES    ABOUT THE HOST Sarah Heward has an early years degree and then became a professional nanny. From her successes she went on to publish fist children's book and launched a nanny agency with a difference (built for modern day nannies and families) with her business partner Dr Rachael Coates. Rachael is an entrepreneur, general surgeon and mum of three who has lived the chaos, tears and fleeting victories of early parenthood. Together they are looking to empower more families to make the empowered choices towards being a happy family.   CONTACT METHOD [email protected] show was brought to you by Progressive Media