Slow and sure nannying

News of 'speed nannying' recruitment events have horrified some of our readers, and one who's been spurred into action is Allison Marlowe. She set herself up in business as a parent coach, counselling families, after starting out as an NNEB nanny for three years, then teaching nursery nurses on DCE courses and having her own children. Allison was appalled at the idea of busy parents not putting time in to looking for the right nanny for their children. She's now launching Perfect Nanny Solutions, a service coaching parents on finding and keeping a good nanny, and will mediate at the interview stage or at regular appraisal meetings between nannies and their employers. She'll also tailor work/life balance coaching just for nannies, whom she thinks are under their own unique stresses, starting at 60 a session. 'It's an investment in their personal development,' says Allison. 'It's something that will impact on the rest of their lives - not something that gets worn out like a pair of jeans, which people would spend as much money on.' Allison's Pace of Life Coaching can be contacted on 02392 644 598.