Nanny
Ad-Hoc and Regular Nannying
from £18p/h
Babysitting
from £18p/h
Proxy-Parenting
from £300 p/24Hrs
I have worked as an OFSTED registered, self-employed, professional Nanny for the past 10+ years and have cared for hundreds of wonderful children in that time. I currently spend my working week nannying for many families caring for children from newborn up to 16 years old.
I use gentle, attachment based, parenting techniques and focus on empathy, responsiveness, and physical closeness. I use the four central elements of gentle parenting (respect, understanding, empathy, and boundaries) when working with children and enjoy being child-led. I use natural resources as often as possible in my practice and spend a lot of time encouraging learning through outdoor play.
I offer a range of Nanny services, including ad-hoc bookings, regular weekly slots, babysitting, and proxy-parenting.
Nannying Highlights
- I have been fortunate enough to secure repeat bookings with many high-profile families (celebrities, peerage families etc).
- I have worked with children with varying disabilities (Autism, ADHD, Achondroplasia, Pura Syndrome, Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy) and have extensive experience using G-tube, NG-tube feeding, stoma changing, and administering medications.
- My proxy-parenting experience includes caring for four children (ages 2-8) over the week of half-term to allow their parents to travel. I have also completed longer bookings of multiple weeks at a time.
- I care for multiple children that I have known from birth and have been lucky enough to watch them grow up.
- I have helped support multiple children with their 11+ exams as well as school entrance exams.
- I have organised and hosted birthday parties and events (including a hamster funeral, RIP Nibbler).
- I have also done many weird and wonderful things over my career, such as bottle feeding lambs, helping a cat give birth, re-plumbing
FAQ
What is a professional Nanny?
A professional nanny is someone that works in a private house caring for children. They will have a wealth of experience and qualifications and provide the best care possible for the children they work with. Nannying is very different to employing an unqualified babysitting as nannies must have a DBS check, Paediatric First Aid qualification, Insurance, and (ideally, but not legally required) be OFTSED registered.
How does hiring a Nanny work?
There are actually two ways you can hire a nanny. The first way is to employ them, the second is for the nanny to be self-employed. The majority of nannies are employed by the family they work for, as they work for one family and that family sets their hours, tasks etc, and pays them a salary. When employing a nanny, the employer needs to be aware of the additional costs associated with this. I recommend looking at websites such as www.nannytax.co.uk and www.nannymatters.co.uk for more info on this. I, however, work as a self-employed nanny as I work for multiple families each week and take on ad-hoc and short-term contracts. This means that the rate that I charge hourly covers my tax and NI, of which I am responsible for.
What does a Nanny do?
It might be quicker to write what a nanny doesn’t do, as nannying can be so varied. Personally, I have been asked to do some very weird and wonderful things and I am usually more than happy to help as much as I can. Obviously, as a nanny, my main job is to care for the children and carryout any child-related tasks associated with caring for the children (cooking, washing, tidying etc.), but I’m more than happy to chat if there’s a specific task that you may need help with.
Do Nannies have to be OFSTED registered?
Surprisingly no! The nanny industry is actually relatively unregulated and almost anyone can call themselves a nanny with little or no training or qualifications. The reason that I am OFSTED registered is to show families that I work to a certain standard. OFSTED carry out random inspections and ensure that the nannies registered with them are aware of safeguarding practices and are working safely.
What is your parenting style?
I focus very heavily on gentle and attachment centred parenting techniques in my nannying practice. I set boundaries but ensure that they are enforced with understanding and respect in a collaborative manner. I work hard to help my children understand their emotions and guide them through challenges that they face, whilst focusing strongly on building and maintaining a positive attachment.
Just wanted to drop you a note to thank you for all your help over the last weeks with Jude.
Before you came to help us, I was struggling to get any work done and felt like I was constantly chasing my tail.
You came in and had an instant connection with my baby and I felt immediately comfortable with you looking after him. You took time to understand how I want to parent my child and time to bond with him. He now absolutely loves you.
As well as being extremely attentive to my son, you have also been helpful in other ways. Suggesting things to try when weaning my son, different things to try with his sleep and generally being a reassuring ear with any concerns. All without being pushing or matronly.
In addition, you always leave the house immaculate. Whether tidying the nursery or cleaning up after lunch, the house feels calmer and cleaner when you leave.
As you know, my husband afectionately refers to you as Mary Poppins!
I would be more than happy to recommend you to other parents looking for Nanny services. And I would be happy for you to show them this note or to speak to them directly if that would help.
We have had Elizabeth help us out with our 4 children for about 7 years now. She is the perfect nanny and is everything we could ask for. She always arrives promptly, gets stuck in and always goes above and beyond. Our children love seeing her and have formed a lovely bond. She’s been there during special moments such as when we brought home our youngest two children from the hospital and she was even at our wedding taking care of the children.
Everyone at the wedding commented on how lovely she was. She has also been a big support to me during multiple health issues. I would recommend her services to everyone. Words can’t describe how amazing she is and continues to be.
Maternity Nurse
As a Maternity Nurse I can help support and guide you through those tough first few months with your newborn, whilst allowing you time to rest and recover from birth. I offer both overnight care and 24hr support.
Sleep Consultant
As a Sleep Consultant I offer bespoke expert advice. I look at your child’s entire day, including feeding and naps, in order to offer a consultative approach to sleep using only gentle sleep techniques and work to support you, your family, and your child.