Where Can a Career in Nannying Take You?

ICI UK - Career in Nannying

The typical nanny is employed by families to look after their children. Generally, full-time day nannies are responsible for preparing meals for children, doing school runs, taking kids for day trips and to appointments, and teaching and playing. But a career in nannying can take you so much further than day-to-day care. From travelling nannies to au pairs and nursing, there are so many possibilities you might not have considered.

Travel opportunities

One of the best reasons to become a nanny is the travel opportunities. Many parents seek travelling nannies to join them on their family holidays and look after their children while they go on day adventures or out for dinner. My Travelling Nanny connects UK families with travelling nannies, where the cost of travel, accommodation and meals for the nanny are all paid for by the family. It’s a cheap and amazing way to travel the world – all while getting paid.

And if you’re not convinced, check out this article on the glamourous lives of nannies who look after rich children. These nannies have flown first class and in private jets, and stayed in five star hotels and private villas, all while on the job.

Au pairing

Another way to travel as a nanny is to become an au pair. An au pair is a type of nanny who travels to a foreign country for a certain amount of time to live with a host family and care for their children. An au pair is considered to be part of that family while they’re there, helping with childcare and housework in return for free board and payment. Becoming an au pair is a great cultural experience and way to improve your language skills and explore new countries.

The beauty of the UK is that it’s such a big country itself, and is only a short flight away from Europe. If you’re nannying for a family in the UK, not only can you take the kids on fun day trips around the area you’re living in, you can use your days off to jet over to other countries and explore.

Careers after nannying

A career in nannying can be a rewarding and fulfilling lifelong career, but if you’re looking to progress in other directions, there’s plenty of options. After years of nannying maybe you’re married now with children of your own? Or maybe you’re just looking for a change of career? Whatever the reason, the experience and qualifications you gain from being a nanny can open up several other career pathways in education, nursing and social work.

1. Nursery nurse

Nursery nurses provide care for a large number of children in a registered setting like nurseries and preschools. The job involves planning and supervising activities, and also providing childcare. Nursery nurses may be promoted to supervisors, nursery managers, or train on the job to become an early years teachers, so this career clearly offers lots of progression opportunities.

To become a nursery nurse, you need to be qualified with at least a level 2 or 3 in childcare and education. However, if you don’t have the formal qualifications, you can still get a job as an apprentice where you can be mentored to complete your qualification in the workplace.

2. Maternity / postnatal ward support worker

If you love working with infants and babies, a maternity / postnatal ward support worker could be the option for you. They’re employed within the maternity unit of a hospital and help new mums care for their babies, teaching them about feeding, bathing and changing.

3. Maternity nurse

A non-medical maternity nurse, also known as a postnatal carer, works with families with new babies. They provide support to new mothers with breastfeeding and getting the baby into a routine, and keep an eye on the mother’s wellbeing. You don’t need a specific qualification to become a maternity nurse, and it’s a great career opportunity for nannies who have experience working with newborn babies.

4. Teaching assistant

A teaching assistant works within a primary school, providing support to classroom teachers and working one-on-one with children who need additional attention. This is a good career step for nannies who hold a level 3 qualification, and opens up opportunities to progress to train as a higher level teaching assistant with more responsibility.

With a bit of further training and formal education, you can also strive for careers in primary teaching, children’s nursing, midwifery and social work.

What are you waiting for?

A career in nannying can take you so much further than you ever thought possible. From travelling all around the world and getting to experience different cultures, to preparing you for a career in nursing or education. If this sounds like the life for you, kick-start your career in nannying today with a Nanny Diploma from the International Career Institute UK. You can learn everything you need to know about the health and safety of children, child psychology, child development and learning, and more.

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Gladys Mae

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Gladys Mae serves as the General Manager and Head of Student Services at the International Career Institute. Gladys holds a degree in Mass Communication - Broadcast Media from the University of San Jose-Recoletos. She joined ICI in 2010 and has over the past 12 years been instrumental in providing leadership and guidance to staff and students alike. Prior to joining ICI Gladys led a multifaceted career with key roles in the banking and business process outsourcing industries.