Emma Corrigan, a 34-year-old nanny from London, said she was shocked at how difficult it was to return to work with her baby Molly, now 23 months.
She found that despite her 16 years' experience, NNEB qualification and registration with Ofsted, she was turned down by many nanny agencies when she explained she wanted a job which would allow her to look after her baby as well as an employer's - effectively a nanny share.
She told Nursery World that being repeatedly turned down made her feel that 'my qualifications and experience count for nothing. I feel I'm being punished for having my own baby'.
She reported that nanny agencies either warned she was much less likely to find a job, or would not take her on their books at all because they said they did not have positions for those who had to look after their own children.
Eileen Wright, director of Regency Nannies, said she did not take on candidates with children 'not because I don't want to, but because it's a waste of time. I've had two nannies call me this week with babies. Clients feel they would not give top priority to their child, but if a nanny says that won't happen, it sounds like they're not a good mother.'
She said parents are often concerned about what would happen in an emergency, if the nanny's child was taken ill.
Kieran Ivers, a recruitment consultant for North London Nannies, has placed nannies who had their own children, but not recently. She said, 'Some mothers worry the nanny won't give as much attention to their child. If I'm completely honest, it might be difficult.'
Nanny Rosemary Wittmack from Enfield, London, said that as soon as most agencies heard she was a mother, they 'completely changed their tune'. She said, 'The only agencies that would consider me tended to be run by nannies who were mothers too.'
She eventually found a job via Early Birds Nanny Agency, whose owner, Maria Marsh, returned to work as a nanny with her first child.
Ms Marsh said she likes to interview nannies with their baby present to make sure they are 'not too precious about their own child' and understand that when working, the client's children always come first. She also checks that they have a back-up plan, such as a grandparent, who can step in.
She said nannies must expect their pay to be around half what they previously earned, around £160 to £200 a week after tax in the Home Counties for 15-20 hours across term-time and holidays.
Nannies with babies were more likely to find work with families of school-age children, she said. Clients with older children preferred nannies to bring portable high chairs, for example, to avoid 'a toddlerised' home.
