Mary Poppins didn’t do it for the money, neither did Nanny McPhee. But the prospect of a £100,000 salary may have some of us brushing up on our nursery rhymes and potato painting skills.
Yes, you read that right: £100,000 plus a few perks in the shape of luxury cars, global travel and Michelin-starred meals.
A job advert posted recently was for a nanny to care for four home-schooled kids living between London, Barbados, Cape Town and Atlanta. Before you form a disorderly queue, it’s worth noting the successful candidate would be required to do more than wipe snotty noses.
For a start, you’d need to have a degree in child psychology and self-defence training.
The currency of the modern-day nanny or au pair has never been higher, with the rich and famous prepared to pay top dollar for the very best for their little darlings.
If you come with an Oxbridge degree, are a Mandarin speaker, or have anti-terrorism training – like the famous Norland nannies – you can name your price.
Thankfully, your average family in Milngavie needs more help getting their kids to school on time than dealing with paparazzi but there are some qualities which a nanny, au pair or childminder can’t do without.
Love
Yes, you’ve got to love kids or at least like them a lot. This is crucial as you’ll be spending long periods of time without adult interaction. If the sound of a whining child grates like nails down a chalkboard, consider a career in deep sea fishing instead.
Patience
You need this in bucketloads. Nannies spend countless hours with kids and must be able to handle bad behaviour or moods without losing your cool.
Fun
Working as a nanny gives you the freedom to be a child again and fill your day with fun – rediscovering the joy of splashing through puddles, jumping in piles of autumn leaves and turning the kitchen upside down to make cupcakes. Just remember it’s you who’s cleaning up afterwards.
Common sense
Parents want a nanny or au pair who can make good choices on everything from what to make for lunch to when to call a doctor for health advice.
Punctuality
Parents rely on you to arrive on time so they can get to work with as little hassle as possible. Punctuality is also vital for school pick-ups and drop-offs – nobody wants little Emily to be left waiting at the school gates.
For a truly rewarding job discover all the latest childcare roles with s1jobs.com