Nursery World - Moving on (2)

Nannies who started their careers three decades ago tell Helen Kewley how they think their role has changed As the start of another year usually prompts us to look back as well as forward, I have been considering how working conditions and career prospects have changed for nannies by sifting through my old records and talking to some of the original agency nannies who were working in the 1970s.

As the start of another year usually prompts us to look back as well as forward, I have been considering how working conditions and career prospects have changed for nannies by sifting through my old records and talking to some of the original agency nannies who were working in the 1970s.

I looked at some of the old forms where people described the type of nanny they wanted and what they expected from her. A fairly typical profile for a nanny was, 'We want a nice girl, we're not worried about qualifications, after all we did not have to pass exams to become parents, we just want someone with common sense'. Regarding the work, I would hear, 'Of course we expect some housework. I'm not paying her to sit around doing nothing while the baby is asleep'. As for pay, I would often be told, 'Nonsense, she doesn't need that kind of money. She'll be living as part of the family. All she'll need is some spending money'.

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