Job title: Nanny manager
Employer: Scott Dunn tour operator
Salary: 135 - 220 (gross per week) depending on experience
Location: Courcheval, France
Duties
I started working for Scott Dunn in November 2001. Initially I expected to complete one season but I had such a fantastic time I went on to do a second, and have just completed my sixth.
As a nanny manager my first responsibility is to ensure that high standards of childcare are maintained for all guests during the season. Good first impressions are essential. It's important to be perceived as approachable and calm, gaining the children's trust immediately as some parents understandably feel nervous about leaving them, possibly for the first time.
I plan my week thoroughly. Using my knowledge of my team members' strengths and weaknesses, I locate each ski nanny with a family. Each individual nanny is then responsible for organising their own weekly programme to include creative indoor and outdoor activities, as well as providing snacks and lunches.
I organise times for the ski school run. This is very important, as it can become hectic if not planned correctly, creating a stressful situation for the children whose trust you are trying to gain.
There is plenty of childcare equipment in the resort, varying from cots to sledges. These all need to be maintained to a high standard and delivered to the correct chalet for a particular week.
Communicating with my team members and resort managers is essential, as situations can change very quickly and it is important to be able to accommodate these changes.
I have a responsibility to my team members to keep a positive attitude and maintain 'team spirit'. Some find it hard being away from home, sometimes for the first time, so I arrange regular trips to nearby resorts to keep up their spirits, as there is a lot of fun to be had in the surrounding area.
Usually the children I look after are used to being left, but the first day is always testing and I work had to establish their trust. They love the outdoor activities such as sledging, and eating pancakes on the top of a mountain is always a hit. We also do lots of creative activities indoors, including arts and crafts.
Likes/dislikes
There are so many positive aspects about my job. I get to see and live in some amazing parts of the world with the security of Scott Dunn behind me.
I've tried activities I never thought I'd have the opportunity to do, for example skiing, snow boarding and sky diving. There is the chance to work with some fantastic people from all over the world, and I've met some of my close friends through working seasons.
There are very few negative aspects to my job, but sometimes guests can be very demanding and the working hours can be long. But the positive aspects far outweigh the negative.
Best achievement
I've worked my way up the ladder with Scott Dunn and completing my very first successful season as nanny manager has to be my best achievement.
Having positive feedback from guests is also a big achievement, especially when they re-book and request you for the following year, as it means they must have enjoyed their time with you.
Career path
After successfully completing my GCSEs I attended college and worked in a small private nursery furthering my chosen career. During this time I studied for an NVQ 2 and followed this up with an NVQ 3.
After working in a nursery for four years I got to the stage where I needed a new challenge and new surroundings. I found the sort of thing I was looking for on the Scott Dunn website and haven't looked back since.
Career progression
Most people start as a nanny and work their way up to nursery manager.
There is also the opportunity to work during the summer months in Scott Dunn's Mediterranean programme. In the long term I would like to manage my own nursery, although I am quite content at the moment.
Advice
To complete a successful season you need to be prepared for hard work. You also need to be extremely flexible and to enjoy new challenges. Small problems can arise very quickly and you have to be able to solve these problems calmly without causing any disruption to your fellow colleagues or, most importantly, to the guests.
Interests/hobbies
Since working for Scott Dunn I've gained many new hobbies, as the job has given me the opportunity to try various new things. On my day off I love to explore the mountain on my skis.
Useful contacts
* Scott Dunn www.scottdunn.com
* Foreign Office travel advice www.fco.gov.uk
* Professional Association of Nursery Nurses' advice on working abroad www.pat.org.uk
