Perception of nannies needs to improve, says REC Childcare

The Recruitment and Employment Confederationís Childcare sector group has welcomed a new report from the Childrenís Workforce Development Council (CWDC) which provides the first comprehensive profile of Englandís nanny workforce.

However, the group is alarmed to discover that only 14 per cent of nannies surveyed thought the profession was held in sufficient regard by the general public while another 41 per cent believed parents gave the profession the recognition it deserves.

Commenting on the report, Judith Ivers, Chair of REC Childcare, said:

ìThis is the most comprehensive report in the market and some of the findings paint an accurate picture. We are concerned that the sample used for the survey is extremely limited. According to the survey findings the respondents represent only 30 per cent of the total number of nannies. Moreover, our group estimates that the nanny workforce could be as high at 45,000.

ìIn recent years we have seen a drive for professionalising the nanny workforce and we are delighted to see that 82 per cent of nannies surveyed had an early learning and childcare-related qualification, and that 11 per cent were currently studying for a qualification. We would stress however that we believe these figures relate only to those nannies that work through an agency.

ìThere are nannies who work independently and, if their experiences were heard, the survey would paint a rather different image. Our members have seen an increase in the number of nannies who want to have professional qualifications and we call on the Government to make more funds available to nannies who want to get qualified.

ìWe are also concerned that the industry is still not perceived to be professional and so we are committed to promoting good practice in the industry and the professionalism of the workforce. We will continue to lobby both the Government and Opposition to ensure the profession does get the recognition it deserves.î

Judith added: ìWe believe this cannot be achieved without an immediate change in the current Ofsted registration policies to ensure that an Ofsted approved nanny is a safe, competent and fully validated child-carer. Nannies will only be seen as professionals when registration with Ofsted is compulsory, and when the Ofsted hallmark truly represents the quality assurance that our society needs.î