As someone with young children in your care daily, it’s important to have a basic understanding of common childhood illnesses and how to treat them.
Here are 5 common illnesses, their symptoms and how to treat them:
As someone with young children in your care daily, it’s important to have a basic understanding of common childhood illnesses and how to treat them.
Here are 5 common illnesses, their symptoms and how to treat them:
Child-led play is exactly what it sounds like; children choose what to play and the adults follow the child’s lead. The sole purpose of this type of play is to allow children to explore and discover independently whilst making their own choices and decisions about what to do.
We’ve put together some tips to help you encourage child-led play whilst also identifying learning opportunities:
Continue reading “What is Child-Led Play and Why is it So Important?”
Having one baby is hard work, we all know that. The thing is, unless you have a multiple birth (or children very close in age) you don’t realise just how tiring and relentless (although extremely rewarding!) looking after two or more tiny tots can be.
So, as always, we have a wealth of top tips to help if you have your own, or nanny for, twins or triplets:
Having one baby is hard work, we all know that. The thing is, unless you have a multiple birth (or children very close in age) you don’t realise just how tiring and relentless (although extremely rewarding!) looking after two or more tiny tots can be.
So, as always, we have a wealth of top tips to help if you have your own, or nanny for, twins or triplets:
For more help and information on twins and multiple births visit Twins Trust | Twins Trust – We support twins, triplets and more…
A recent short trip abroad is all it takes to remind me of how difficult it can be travelling with little ones! The last thing any family or nanny wants is to have attention drawn to a restless toddler or crying baby, but as we all know we’re generally on a knife’s edge between a calm flight and a stressful one with small children.
A recent short trip abroad is all it takes to remind me of how difficult it can be travelling with little ones! The last thing any family or nanny wants is to have attention drawn to a restless toddler or crying baby, but as we all know we’re generally on a knife’s edge between a calm flight and a stressful one with small children.
If you’re a nanny and have to travel with babies or young children in your care, we have put together a survival guide to ensure that you don’t become the person in charge of ‘that annoying child on the row in front’, and possibly even have an enjoyable flight!
Do you agree with our ideas? Why not share your experiences on our Facebook wall?
Let’s face it, even the least patriotic of us will be finding it hard at the moment to escape the media frenzy around the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June, and for those who do love a bit of classic English patriotism, why not get involved in your own creative way?! If you have toddlers or older children in your care, this is the perfect excuse to get their creative juices flowing, whilst teaching them a little bit about our monarchy at the same time!
Let’s face it, even the least patriotic of us will be finding it hard at the moment to escape the media frenzy around the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June, and for those who do love a bit of classic English patriotism, why not get involved in your own creative way?! If you have toddlers or older children in your care, this is the perfect excuse to get their creative juices flowing, whilst teaching them a little bit about our monarchy at the same time!
So, I hear you ask, what kind of things can we make?! Here are a few of our best ideas to keep children happy and creative in time Jubilee celebrations:
You will need:
This is a basic way of making bunting, so that little children can be involved as there is no material to stitch. Simply make a triangular template and get the children to draw around it onto the coloured card. Cut out the drawings and get the children to put them in order – red, white, blue, red, white, blue and so on. Fold about a centimetre of the top of the triangles over the string, and attach down on one side with a piece of Sellotape. Do this all the way along your string, and then attach the bunting either inside or outside the house! This is a fantastic exercise for fine motor skills, as well as recognising shapes and colours for children.
You will need:
Glue the length of tin foil on top of the length of cardboard, matching the bottom edges up, so that there is an inch extra of foil at the top. Now, cut zig zags into the foil all the way along the top, giving a crown effect of lots of points going across the top. Now it’s time to really have some fun and decorate, using glue, glitter, crayons or stickers, let your little ones go to town on their individual crown decoration on top of the tin foil. When the decorations have dried, make a ring with the crown and staple each end together, to fit over the child’s head.
What you need:
For the icing:
Adding to the ideas we’ve given, why not try making some red, white and blue pompoms, or get some plain white serviettes and get the children to colour some red and blue onto them, or even onto a plain white paper tablecloth. There are hours of fun to be had, all in the name of Queen and country – have fun!
How Should I Prepare My CV?
It’s important to give your CV some thought and spend some time on getting it right. A well presented CV which clearly details your skills and experience can make all the difference in getting the job you really want.
How Should I Structure My CV?
Your CV should be no more than 2 pages in length and include the following sections.
Format
What Should I Put In My CV?
Think about yourself
It is important before a job interview to think about all the reasons why you are attending it and what you have to offer. Be ready to discuss both short and long term career goals in general terms.
What If I Have A Gap?
You will need to explain gaps in employment. If you worked in a temporary capacity but didn’t put it on your CV, know the details of where you worked, what you did, and the length of the assignments. If you did not work but did search for a job give some examples of the research you did regarding job opportunities and the process you went through to find the position.
Reasons for leaving
Prepare to discuss the reasons you left your previous jobs. If it was for a better opportunity, explain why it was better. If you left involuntarily, present the reason in the most positive light you can. Make sure your responses are honest and be positive.
Some points to consider
You must try to consider how you can display your skills and experience in a good and honest light and provide employers with the evidence that you are the right person for the job. Here are some brief points to consider:
Points to consider throughout the interview
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During a full and rewarding career as a nanny, situations will inevitably arise that provide a real challenge to you, and as we all know, from day to day the job is always varied and can be very interesting!
One situation you may find yourself in is becoming a nanny for a child who has special needs or learning difficulties. This can be one of the most rewarding challenges you can face in your career, and making a difference to a child in this situation is something you’ll take with you, and ultimately give you job satisfaction.
During a full and rewarding career as a nanny, situations will inevitably arise that provide a real challenge to you, and as we all know, from day to day the job is always varied and can be very interesting!
One situation you may find yourself in is becoming a nanny for a child who has special needs or learning difficulties. This can be one of the most rewarding challenges you can face in your career, and making a difference to a child in this situation is something you’ll take with you, and ultimately give you job satisfaction.
Of course, each child is different in any situation, and special needs vary in severity, but here we have compiled some general helpful pointers:
At the end of the day, the most important thing is to not get phased, and to remember what you’re there for! No doubt you’re already a fairly experienced nanny, meaning you know a bit about how to get the best out of a child in your care, and have a proven track record in doing this. Don’t lose sight of this role, and don’t be phased by this new situation. A good nanny will be aware of a child with special needs’ limitations, but also help them reach their full potential. First and foremost the child you are looking after is a child. It is secondary that they have additional needs.
Be sure to let us know if you have any experience or feedback on this issue, via our Facebook page..
Let’s face it, if you have a child in private education and money has become tight, the last thing you want to have to consider is moving them into a state school. Unless the child is happier doing this, most of us would consider altering our finances in all other areas before we have to consider this one. But with the middle classes being the hardest hit by the covid and Brexit, more parents than ever are now having to make this change.
If you’ve found yourself in this situation, it’s really important not to see it as the end of your child’s future, it may even be a good thing, there are some amazing state schools and the old argument that as she private education is the only ticket to Oxbridge and a wonderful career is no longer true.
Here are our tips for dealing with this kind of change:
If you’ve made the decision, stick to it, and wholeheartedly commit to it. There are so many positives to state education. Cast your mind across all the successful and happy people you know – chances are many of them had a state education. Once you’ve made the decision, be upfront and positive with your children, friends and family.
This is NOT something to be ashamed of – and for goodness sake don’t let your children think it is. If they sense that you feel this way then they will feel bad too, so make it into an exciting adventure for them as much as you can – something new where they will meet lots of new friends.
Work out what you’ll be saving on school fees, and mentally dedicate the money to an area where it needs to be. In doing this, you’ll realise that paying for the necessary things will have just as much benefit to your child. It may be paying for household bills, running two cars, or being able to have holidays. Don’t lose sight of how these things benefit the family, and explain to the child that this money is going to help them just as much in different ways.
Getting it right
If proximity to the school is a factor in whether or not your child gets a place there, check out how long the waiting list is. It may be that you have to wait a couple more terms before they can start, however, if you appear to be an involved parent who will play a part in fundraising for the school then the chances are that the head teacher will push you up the list.
Friends
Your child will no doubt make friends very quickly in a new situation, but if it’s at all possible it’s a good idea to find out if you know anyone who has a child at the new school, even better of the same age / in the same class. You’ll feel happier, and your child won’t be walking in cold.
Timing
This may seem obvious, but if you realise you need to make this move, it’s not always at a convenient time (I.e the end of one term ready to start the next). It’s always better for a child to start a new school at the start of a new school year, or a new term if that’s not possible. Try, if you can, to plan it around this.
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You’ve been waiting for the day for over four years, knowing that you will be immensely proud and excited but also feel a certain sadness that toddler days are officially over. The chances are that your little champ will be raring to go and excited, so how do you deal with the nerves and anxiety that all parents go through leading up to that all important day in September – your little one’s first day at school?
If your little one picks up on your anxiety and relates it to their new situation, they will think its something to worry about, so show them only how exciting and fun it will be, so they only see it as a good thing.
It’s always a good idea to get to know mums of other children starting the same school. The chances are that you already do, if your little one is moving up from a nursery with some chums. If this isn’t the case and you don’t know anyone at the new school, then do your best to find out of any neighbours or associates know anyone at the same school. Making friends with fellow parents and chatting to them about any concerns will help.
Becoming an active member of any group or activity that the school has will help you to feel secure and happy about your child attending. If there is a PTA (Parent and Teacher Association) or simply a group of people who help with Summer and Christmas fairs, become a part of things and you will no doubt see that there is no need to feel anxious about the starting school step for your child.
The last thing your child needs is you rushing him or her around the day before buying new shoes and P.E kits. Make sure you have things in order, tagged up, and ready for school at least a week before the first day. That way you (and your little one) can have a calm few days before hand, and any unnecessary stresses won’t be there.
You will feel much happier if you feel that your child knows what to expect. Even if he or she has been for mornings or half days to get to know the school, it will help put your mind at rest if you do some role play with your tot before his first day. Things like running through him putting his hand up if he needs the toilet, or showing him the things that you’ll pack into his lunchbox will all help. This will reduce some of the unfamiliar aspects, and if you make this a fun thing (I.e don’t show him your anxiety!) then it will ease your mind that he sees this new challenge as an exciting one.
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In this day and age, knowing how to find a good nanny is both essential and challenging. In fact, hiring the ideal nanny feels impossible for most parents. The thought of hiring someone who screams at your children when you’re not around is frightful, isn’t it? So how do you distinguish a good nanny from a bad one? In general, employing a good nanny starts with a thorough screening process.
Search For A Nanny Yourself
If you don’t want to use the services of a nanny agency, you could search for a nanny on your own, but how do you find a good nanny by yourself?
Nannyjob.co.uk is the best place to start, with literally thousands of nannies searching every month for suitable positions. You could also choose to post an ad in your local paper or in a magazines like The Lady and ask applicants to submit their applications in writing. This ensures that you will only be screening eager and committed candidates.
Churches, the local preschool, and your neighbourhood can also be great resources of trustworthy nannies. You could also ask your family and friends for referrals. You may find that you can trust their recommendations better than anyone else.
Contact a Nanny Agency
One advantage of contacting a nanny agency is that the agency will readily provide you with pre-screened applicants. All you have to do is simply discuss your nanny job description and specific requirements. These agencies will take care of all the initial formalities to help you find a good nanny, safely and efficiently.
A nanny agency service will usually perform background checks along with checking police records for any history of criminal offenses. In the UK, the Criminal Records Bureau provides more extensive access to criminal record information through its Disclosing and Barring service. While you can often rely on a friend’s recommendation, contacting a nanny agency is probably the safest way to find a good, reliable nanny.
Set Up Face to Face Interviews
Once you start receiving applications, immediately read the applications and start identifying potential candidates. Eliminate resumes that reveal negative distinctions about the person. Once you’ve done that you may want to schedule separate interviews with at least two to three candidates. Do not hesitate to ask as many questions as time allows. The interview will help you decide whether the applicant is likely to be a good nanny for your children.
Provide a Trial Run
A trial run gives you time to consider hiring the nanny for long-term employment. The trial period gives both of you the chance to become familiar with each other and decide whether you are a good fit. You will never uncover someone’s true identity until you live with them. More than appraising chemistry, the trial period gives you the opportunity to assess the nanny’s character and level of expertise. If you are comfortable with the candidate, make sure to draft a work agreement before hiring them, and list the terms of your agreement in detail.
Now that you know how to go about finding a good nanny, you can productively focus on your work whilst having peace of mind knowing that you have a reliable nanny taking good care of your children back home.