Nanny

childminder
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Social work and caring services
Care

Career outlook for nanny

Average UK salary

£24,960

Currently employed in Scotland

5,600

"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would work in an employer’s home, looking after their children and making sure they are happy and healthy.

You might often have to look after babies and very young children. You could work as a maternity nanny, helping families care for newborn babies during the first few weeks of a baby's life. You could also work with older children or a mix of age groups.

You would:

  • Feed, bathe and dress children and change nappies
  • Teach basic social skills and hygiene
  • Make sure children are safe
  • Help children to learn through play
  • Go out with children to give them new experiences
  • Take children to school or nursery
  • Plan interesting things to do
  • Take children to the doctor or to do activities
  • Organise chances for children to play with others
  • Prepare healthy meals and snacks
  • Tidy up and clean rooms used by the children
  • Keep records of the children’s development for the family

You would need an excellent understanding of health and safety, as well as food hygiene.

Working conditions

Hours

You would work in a private household for up to 12 hours a day, five or six days a week. In addition, you may be expected to provide baby-sitting services as and when required.

Environment

You might be a live-in nanny staying with a family in their home, or a live-out nanny travelling to them every day. Some families share live-out nannies, which would mean looking after children from more than one family. You might look after them all at the same time, or split your week working between different houses.

Travel

Many families look for a nanny with a driving licence.

UK employment status

Full-time

38%

Part-time

38%

Self employed

24%

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  • Positive attitude
  • Building relationships
  • Cooperating
  • Supporting
  • Listening
  • Verbal communication
  • Observation
  • Developing a plan

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Foundation Apprenticeships

Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.

Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.

Qualifications

There are no formal qualifications required to enter this work but some employers may ask for qualifications at SCQF levels 4 to 6.

You could do a Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) in Early Education and Child Care, a Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) in Childhood Practice or relevant work-based experience and qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Social Services (Children and Young People) (SVQ level 2/3/4) 

Entry to the HNC is normally a relevant National Certificate/National Qualification or one to three highers.

Useful subjects

  • English
  • Maths
  • Care
  • Childcare & development
  • Health & food technologies
  • Modern languages

You will also need

  • To be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland
  • To be at least 17 years old for some college courses

Helpful to have

  • Qualifications and experience that demonstrate child care abilities such as Skills for Work Early Education and Childcare (SCQF level 4/5)
  • First Aid Certificate
  • Practical cookery skills