NANNY SAYS…
The Chiltern College has been training nannies for more than 80 years and has a national and international reputation for its courses. Lucinda Dodds is currently a second-year residential student at the college, studying for The Chiltern College Nanny And Childcare Award, which incorporates a Level 3 childcare qualification.
Why did you decide to become a nanny?
I’ve always had a passion for working with children. Being a nanny gives the opportunity to work with them on an individual basis and get to know them both at home and within the college (at the on-site day nurseries). A good career is guaranteed at the end of training and there are opportunities to travel abroad and see the world.
How long is your training course at the college?
The course lasts two years. We qualify with a diploma, then we have a further six months’ placement to show that we are competent when working with families and children. At the end of the course, we receive The Chiltern College Nanny and Childcare Award.
What does your training involve?
Our training includes a lot of practical work, which we do three times a week. We also have twice-weekly lectures, which involve getting to know general subjects, such as child development and health.
What do you learn in lectures?
We have cookery classes every week – learning about the nutritional and special requirements of children, from weaning onwards. We take a swimming course, which includes safety and involves getting children ready to have fun in the pool, and we do baby massage. We learn how to work with resources such as textiles and wood, making treasure baskets and toys. It’s hands-on but definitely worthwhile.
What do you like most about the course?
I like the practical side of it – working with the children and families. The support and care we receive on the course is fantastic.
What would you look for in a job?
At the moment I would like to get a placement in London, but a lot of families want a nanny who will go abroad with them on holiday. Some of the girls in my year are hoping to go abroad. The job prepares you to go wherever you like.
Other colleges have introduced driving: is that under consideration at your college?
No. We do not feel that is something we need to learn as a nanny. If you are in a high-profile job, we think there would be security guards and drivers. For an ordinary family, it is just about working well with them and their child and giving support.
Is there a particular age group that you enjoy working with?
I enjoy babies and toddlers. I feel that being there when they start to crawl, and then walk, is amazing. You feel very honoured to help them and their parents.
If you could nanny for any family, which one would you choose?
I don’t think I would choose a family that was in the public eye – that’s difficult.
Do you think celebrities have higher expectations of their nannies?
It depends on the family. One of the students here worked for a royal family abroad and I think she found the job very demanding. Even though she was very capable of doing it, it is very different from working with an ordinary family.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to be a nanny?
Experience is absolutely vital, so doing a course would be benefi cial. You can learn to be a nanny at a regular college doing fewer hours, but being at The Chiltern College puts you in a very strong position to get a fantastic job.
The Chiltern College, 18 Peppard Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire RG4 8JZ: 0118-947 1847, www.chilterncollege.com
Why did you decide to become a nanny?
I’ve always had a passion for working with children. Being a nanny gives the opportunity to work with them on an individual basis and get to know them both at home and within the college (at the on-site day nurseries). A good career is guaranteed at the end of training and there are opportunities to travel abroad and see the world.
How long is your training course at the college?
The course lasts two years. We qualify with a diploma, then we have a further six months’ placement to show that we are competent when working with families and children. At the end of the course, we receive The Chiltern College Nanny and Childcare Award.
What does your training involve?
Our training includes a lot of practical work, which we do three times a week. We also have twice-weekly lectures, which involve getting to know general subjects, such as child development and health.
What do you learn in lectures?
We have cookery classes every week – learning about the nutritional and special requirements of children, from weaning onwards. We take a swimming course, which includes safety and involves getting children ready to have fun in the pool, and we do baby massage. We learn how to work with resources such as textiles and wood, making treasure baskets and toys. It’s hands-on but definitely worthwhile.
What do you like most about the course?
I like the practical side of it – working with the children and families. The support and care we receive on the course is fantastic.
At the moment I would like to get a placement in London, but a lot of families want a nanny who will go abroad with them on holiday. Some of the girls in my year are hoping to go abroad. The job prepares you to go wherever you like.
Other colleges have introduced driving: is that under consideration at your college?
No. We do not feel that is something we need to learn as a nanny. If you are in a high-profile job, we think there would be security guards and drivers. For an ordinary family, it is just about working well with them and their child and giving support.
Is there a particular age group that you enjoy working with?
I enjoy babies and toddlers. I feel that being there when they start to crawl, and then walk, is amazing. You feel very honoured to help them and their parents.
If you could nanny for any family, which one would you choose?
I don’t think I would choose a family that was in the public eye – that’s difficult.
Do you think celebrities have higher expectations of their nannies?
It depends on the family. One of the students here worked for a royal family abroad and I think she found the job very demanding. Even though she was very capable of doing it, it is very different from working with an ordinary family.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to be a nanny?
Experience is absolutely vital, so doing a course would be benefi cial. You can learn to be a nanny at a regular college doing fewer hours, but being at The Chiltern College puts you in a very strong position to get a fantastic job.
The Chiltern College, 18 Peppard Road, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire RG4 8JZ: 0118-947 1847, www.chilterncollege.com