Not so long ago we were blogging about how much nannies are in demand... and now we are seeing a distinctive change in the market all down to the recent upheaval in the financial sector.
Thanks to the collapse of a number of long established banking and finance companies many of London's finance workers have faced income cuts and job losses. Unfortunately as a direct result of this London's hard working in home staff will suffer, including nannies.
The current situation? While it looks as though the job market for nannies is busy as ever, there is hesitation in the air and negotiations for the top pay rates are tougher. There are more nannies in the market so competition is rife- you need to really excel in order to convince parents you are both better than the others and worth the rate you are charging.
What will this mean? We are yet to see the full effects of the credit crunch on the nanny industry. It could mean an overall decrease in pay rates or a move to more part time roles available in the market.
We hope the market proves resilient and are crossing our fingers that all of our fantastic families and nannies are secure in their jobs. We will also be looking forward with interest to the publication of the nannytax annual wage survey in Feb 09, which should give us a clearer indication of the true effect of the credit crunch on the nanny industry.
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
Friday, 19 September 2008
First impressions count- how to really impress your employers in your first few weeks on the job
Lots of our nannies come to us for advice on how to start a placement off well and what sets apart a good nanny from a great nanny.
Well, here are some tips we can pass on that will help you ensure you are getting full marks in your first few weeks at work:
- Arrive to work on time or 5 minutes early
- Complete planning for the week ahead so you have an idea of the routine that you would like to follow for each week
- If you are in a shared charge role note down the duties as you go along, then present a list to the parents after a week to ensure you have everything covered
- Don't text or make personal calls throughout the day as you are working- keep personal calls for other appropriate times such as after work
- BE SAFETY CONSCIOUS. Always be aware of where the children are and keep them away for everyday dangers including stairs, hot stove tops and baths
- Be well presented. You should always dress in smart casual clothing, have your hair done and look well presented for the day ahead. If you are tired DO NOT bring that through the door and into your workplace- not acceptable in an office environment, not acceptable in a home work environment
- Make the job fun for the children! Parents want to know their nanny is enjoying their children and vice versa- be active
- Involve yourself in getting to know the other nannies and families in the area and arranging play dates, this is one of the best ways to start feeling a part of the community
- Always tell the parents as early as possible if you are ill. You should not send a text, calling is the most professional way to let them know
- If there are any problems speak directly to the parents and do not bottle up- if you don’t feel comfortable speaking to the parents or are unsure what to do, call us to talk it over, we are always happy to discuss.
- Use your initiative and be pro-active! Look for jobs and do them before needing to be asked.
Some great feedback that we have had back about our nannies includes:-
- “Sue turned up with an activity box twice a week- the kids really looked forward to her coming. She would alternate books, games and toys in it so there was always something different to play with.”
- “At any outings with other nannies or children Anna would swap numbers with other nannies and arrange play dates for the upcoming weeks, the kids loved the variety of playing with different children”.
Remember that consistent effort in the first couple of months will set the standard for the rest of the employment period. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the above please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Well, here are some tips we can pass on that will help you ensure you are getting full marks in your first few weeks at work:
- Arrive to work on time or 5 minutes early
- Complete planning for the week ahead so you have an idea of the routine that you would like to follow for each week
- If you are in a shared charge role note down the duties as you go along, then present a list to the parents after a week to ensure you have everything covered
- Don't text or make personal calls throughout the day as you are working- keep personal calls for other appropriate times such as after work
- BE SAFETY CONSCIOUS. Always be aware of where the children are and keep them away for everyday dangers including stairs, hot stove tops and baths
- Be well presented. You should always dress in smart casual clothing, have your hair done and look well presented for the day ahead. If you are tired DO NOT bring that through the door and into your workplace- not acceptable in an office environment, not acceptable in a home work environment
- Make the job fun for the children! Parents want to know their nanny is enjoying their children and vice versa- be active
- Involve yourself in getting to know the other nannies and families in the area and arranging play dates, this is one of the best ways to start feeling a part of the community
- Always tell the parents as early as possible if you are ill. You should not send a text, calling is the most professional way to let them know
- If there are any problems speak directly to the parents and do not bottle up- if you don’t feel comfortable speaking to the parents or are unsure what to do, call us to talk it over, we are always happy to discuss.
- Use your initiative and be pro-active! Look for jobs and do them before needing to be asked.
Some great feedback that we have had back about our nannies includes:-
- “Sue turned up with an activity box twice a week- the kids really looked forward to her coming. She would alternate books, games and toys in it so there was always something different to play with.”
- “At any outings with other nannies or children Anna would swap numbers with other nannies and arrange play dates for the upcoming weeks, the kids loved the variety of playing with different children”.
Remember that consistent effort in the first couple of months will set the standard for the rest of the employment period. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the above please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Professional nanny of the year
Congratulations to Debbie Darnborough of Shropshire who has just been awared the Professional Nanny of the Year Award.
Debbie beat some tough competition to win a lovely weekend trip abroad. The nanny of the year award is a great idea and a great way for families to show appreciation for the hard work their nanny puts in.
If you want to register your nanny for the nanny of the year award in 2009 contact PANN on 01332 372 337.
Debbie beat some tough competition to win a lovely weekend trip abroad. The nanny of the year award is a great idea and a great way for families to show appreciation for the hard work their nanny puts in.
If you want to register your nanny for the nanny of the year award in 2009 contact PANN on 01332 372 337.
Monday, 28 July 2008
OFSTED registration- is it worth it?
More and more of our clients are seeking OFSTED registered nannies in order to take advantage of the tax rebates involved. There has been much debate about the scheme and many complaints about the bureaucracy and expense involved by nannies trying to register. The most recent report states that out of 1400 nannies who voluntarily registered last year only six nannies were inspected. This raises the question- is voluntary registration worth it?
Many of our nannies would say no. Those who have been through the registration process claim there are unnecessary expenses involved, particularly for those who hold first aid certificates and childcare qualifications which are not being accepted by OFSTED. Some nannies who hold significant childcare qualifications are required to complete Common Core Skills training, because their original course has not covered one area of the Common Core Skills. Others who hold current paediatric first aid certificates are having to complete another first aid course which is accepted by OFSTED.
These complaints may seem minor but when the combined cost of registration can come to over £400 (including Common Core Skills, first aid, OFSTED registration and insurance) it is a big factor for many nannies. If they don’t feel that OFSTED registration is improving their qualifications and professional standing the cost outlay seems worthless.
On the upside, many of our clients would say OFSTED registration is worth persevering with. Significant savings have been reported over the first year and parents feel reassured that nannies have up to date first aid and insurance. Most parents are aware of the cost and happy to absorb the cost of registration, or part of it, in order to help the nanny get through the process.
So, in its first year OFSTED voluntary registration has certainly proved a talking point within the industry. We do support the scheme and hope that as it continues into its 2nd year the benefits will start to outweigh the costs.
With some improvement in efficiency nannies will find the process easier and as they move from one job to the next, they should see the benefits of holding registration. Whether OFSTED will improve its inspection record is another matter, but it seems as long as clients reap the tax benefits, registration will continue to be in demand.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7461696.stm
Many of our nannies would say no. Those who have been through the registration process claim there are unnecessary expenses involved, particularly for those who hold first aid certificates and childcare qualifications which are not being accepted by OFSTED. Some nannies who hold significant childcare qualifications are required to complete Common Core Skills training, because their original course has not covered one area of the Common Core Skills. Others who hold current paediatric first aid certificates are having to complete another first aid course which is accepted by OFSTED.
These complaints may seem minor but when the combined cost of registration can come to over £400 (including Common Core Skills, first aid, OFSTED registration and insurance) it is a big factor for many nannies. If they don’t feel that OFSTED registration is improving their qualifications and professional standing the cost outlay seems worthless.
On the upside, many of our clients would say OFSTED registration is worth persevering with. Significant savings have been reported over the first year and parents feel reassured that nannies have up to date first aid and insurance. Most parents are aware of the cost and happy to absorb the cost of registration, or part of it, in order to help the nanny get through the process.
So, in its first year OFSTED voluntary registration has certainly proved a talking point within the industry. We do support the scheme and hope that as it continues into its 2nd year the benefits will start to outweigh the costs.
With some improvement in efficiency nannies will find the process easier and as they move from one job to the next, they should see the benefits of holding registration. Whether OFSTED will improve its inspection record is another matter, but it seems as long as clients reap the tax benefits, registration will continue to be in demand.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7461696.stm
Thursday, 24 July 2008
How to get the most out of your recruitment consultant- for nannies
We are a very busy agency and deal with a multitude of candidates every day. There is no way that we can respond to every application so you need to ensure yours stand out. This article is designed to help you prepare for the recruitment process and gives some handy tips to get you noticed.
1. Before you start: Nannying is a highly paid profession here in the UK often with lots of perks. To apply for the top jobs you should have a first aid certificate, police check and contactable written references, or at the very least be registered to complete a first aid course and have your police check in process. Lack of preperation with these basic nanny qualifications indicates to parents that you are not serious about your nanny career. If you don't have a first aid certificate or police check see here - KiwiOz can guide you through the process.
2. Your CV: The best CV's clearly outline qualifications first, and employment history second with the most recent position listed first. All employment positions should be included from month to month, for example:
Jan 06- July 08 Full time Nanny
They should also include the nature of the role, the employer, number of children, hours, and reason for leaving, for example:
Jan 06- July 08 Full time Nanny
The Smith Family, Notting Hill
Three children aged 6,4 and 13 months
Mon- Fri 8-6pm
This was a sole charge role involving care of the children and all nursery duties.
Reason for leaving: Family are moving
3. The application. Most of our applications come through via e-mail which is great. When you send your details attach your CV and ensure you write a concise explaination to accompany it explaining the type of role you are looking for and how long you are available.
4. Dealing with consultants. Your attitude when dealing with consultants is extremely important. We are representing you to clients and work very hard to get the best candidates into fantastic roles. If we feel that a candidate has a poor attitude, is unresponsive to advice or won't represent the company well at interview, we will not put them forward.
The best candidates are well prepared, have a great attitude, are punctual, communicative, bright and confident. Once you have been in to meet your consultant ensure that you keep your phone with you and are proactive at answering it or calling back if you consultant leaves a message. There is nothing more frustrating for a consultant than a client expecting information and not hearing back from a nanny.
Always maintain contact with your consultant and be up front about other interviews you may have. The more information your consultant has about jobs you like and don't like, the better idea they will have about your dream role.
Once you have passed the above criteria you can rest assured our consultants will be working hard to get you to interview. Your consultant will be happy to go over the interview process and help you prepare, so please don't hestitate to ask for help if you need it!
http://www.kiwioznannies.co.uk/
1. Before you start: Nannying is a highly paid profession here in the UK often with lots of perks. To apply for the top jobs you should have a first aid certificate, police check and contactable written references, or at the very least be registered to complete a first aid course and have your police check in process. Lack of preperation with these basic nanny qualifications indicates to parents that you are not serious about your nanny career. If you don't have a first aid certificate or police check see here - KiwiOz can guide you through the process.
2. Your CV: The best CV's clearly outline qualifications first, and employment history second with the most recent position listed first. All employment positions should be included from month to month, for example:
Jan 06- July 08 Full time Nanny
They should also include the nature of the role, the employer, number of children, hours, and reason for leaving, for example:
Jan 06- July 08 Full time Nanny
The Smith Family, Notting Hill
Three children aged 6,4 and 13 months
Mon- Fri 8-6pm
This was a sole charge role involving care of the children and all nursery duties.
Reason for leaving: Family are moving
3. The application. Most of our applications come through via e-mail which is great. When you send your details attach your CV and ensure you write a concise explaination to accompany it explaining the type of role you are looking for and how long you are available.
4. Dealing with consultants. Your attitude when dealing with consultants is extremely important. We are representing you to clients and work very hard to get the best candidates into fantastic roles. If we feel that a candidate has a poor attitude, is unresponsive to advice or won't represent the company well at interview, we will not put them forward.
The best candidates are well prepared, have a great attitude, are punctual, communicative, bright and confident. Once you have been in to meet your consultant ensure that you keep your phone with you and are proactive at answering it or calling back if you consultant leaves a message. There is nothing more frustrating for a consultant than a client expecting information and not hearing back from a nanny.
Always maintain contact with your consultant and be up front about other interviews you may have. The more information your consultant has about jobs you like and don't like, the better idea they will have about your dream role.
Once you have passed the above criteria you can rest assured our consultants will be working hard to get you to interview. Your consultant will be happy to go over the interview process and help you prepare, so please don't hestitate to ask for help if you need it!
http://www.kiwioznannies.co.uk/
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Nannies in demand
The Times online published an article recently relating the credit crunch to an increase in demand for nannies. The theory is as more parents struggle to make ends meet it forces an at home parent back into the workforce. This combined with increasing nursery costs has meant a recent increase in demand for nannies.
On a similar thread, the Telegraph reported an increase in the popularity of nanny shares, as more parents turn to splitting the cost of a nanny to make it an affordable option.
Here at KiwiOz we have always seen a broad range of positions from full time to just a few hours a day. Over the last 5 years the market has certainly moved and our part time desk is now a popular and very busy part of the company. The most popular part time roles are 2 and 3 full day per week positions, as nannies can often match two roles together earning more than they would working 5 days for one family.
Many nannies who previously wouldn't consider part time work are now attracted to it due to high pay rates and the sole charge nature of a lot of part time roles. If you are a parent considering a nanny then don't hesitate to call us to discuss the possibility of taking someone on part time or in a nanny share. We have lots of experience dealing with different family situations and are often able to suggest suitable or new solutions to your childcare problems.
For a list of currently available part time roles please see www.kiwioznannies.co.uk.
The Times Online- see here
nanny agency london, part time nanny, nanny job london, london nanny agency
On a similar thread, the Telegraph reported an increase in the popularity of nanny shares, as more parents turn to splitting the cost of a nanny to make it an affordable option.
Here at KiwiOz we have always seen a broad range of positions from full time to just a few hours a day. Over the last 5 years the market has certainly moved and our part time desk is now a popular and very busy part of the company. The most popular part time roles are 2 and 3 full day per week positions, as nannies can often match two roles together earning more than they would working 5 days for one family.
Many nannies who previously wouldn't consider part time work are now attracted to it due to high pay rates and the sole charge nature of a lot of part time roles. If you are a parent considering a nanny then don't hesitate to call us to discuss the possibility of taking someone on part time or in a nanny share. We have lots of experience dealing with different family situations and are often able to suggest suitable or new solutions to your childcare problems.
For a list of currently available part time roles please see www.kiwioznannies.co.uk.
The Times Online- see here
nanny agency london, part time nanny, nanny job london, london nanny agency
Monday, 21 July 2008
Visa changes great for KiwiOz!
As an agency that deals a lot with candidates from overseas any changes to visa policy here in the UK is of great importance and interest to us. Over the last few months we have been keeping an eager eye on the governments new 'Tier' visa system, which will see the current Working Holiday Visa abolished, to be replaced by the new Tier 5 'Youth Mobility Visa.'
In practise, the Youth Moblity Visa is much the same as the Working Holiday Visa, it is open to the same applicants (you must be 18-30 years of age and from a participating country- which include Australia and NZ), and requires you to have a similar level of funds available to support yourself on arrival.
The true benefit to KiwiOz and the families who enjoy hiring KiwiOz nannies is that the Tier 5 visa allows candidates to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years, as opposed to the current 12 month work restriction in place under the Working Holiday Visa. This is great news as so many of our families prefer to keep their nanny on for a minimum of 12 months, and up until now the WHV restrictions have proven a negative influence on some excellent candidates when applying for positions.
So, when will we see the changes take place? The government is yet to announce a set date however they are stating August/ September 2008, so we are keeping a keen eye out in the office for the first of the new visa holders to come through.
If you are a Kiwi or Aussie reading this from home, perhaps take note and send your application in only after you are certain you will get the full 2 year allowance.
Ask KiwiOz for more info here
Read more on the visa changes here
In practise, the Youth Moblity Visa is much the same as the Working Holiday Visa, it is open to the same applicants (you must be 18-30 years of age and from a participating country- which include Australia and NZ), and requires you to have a similar level of funds available to support yourself on arrival.
The true benefit to KiwiOz and the families who enjoy hiring KiwiOz nannies is that the Tier 5 visa allows candidates to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years, as opposed to the current 12 month work restriction in place under the Working Holiday Visa. This is great news as so many of our families prefer to keep their nanny on for a minimum of 12 months, and up until now the WHV restrictions have proven a negative influence on some excellent candidates when applying for positions.
So, when will we see the changes take place? The government is yet to announce a set date however they are stating August/ September 2008, so we are keeping a keen eye out in the office for the first of the new visa holders to come through.
If you are a Kiwi or Aussie reading this from home, perhaps take note and send your application in only after you are certain you will get the full 2 year allowance.
Ask KiwiOz for more info here
Read more on the visa changes here
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