Nursery World - Sweet dreams (1)

Ever dreamed of having your title change from 'nanny' to 'consultant'? Dream Nannies launched this month as a service to families having sleep problems with a baby or young child. Nannies aged 25 and over with at least five years' experience can be trained to work with a family until their child learns to sleep through the night. These 'sleep consultants' will draw up a sleep plan and a chart of the child's sleeping and eating patterns with the aim of helping the whole family get a good night's rest. Director Kim Martin, who's been a nanny and childminder herself, thinks her service promotes the role of the nanny as an early years professional.

Director Kim Martin, who's been a nanny and childminder herself, thinks her service promotes the role of the nanny as an early years professional.

'When I ask the nannies who've applied why they want to do it, they always say they see it as a promotion, as a new opportunity,' she says. It's definitely not babysitting, Kim stresses, and while the placements are temporary, she will limit the number of nights any nannies with a day job can work, so they don't end up with sleep problems themselves! The sleep consultants are considered self-employed and are paid directly by the families, starting at 9 an hour for one child (14 an hour for anyone courageous enough to take on triplets). Kim is busy recruiting nannies for a London-wide service. She can be contacted on 020 8255 9272 (e-mail kim@dreamnannies.co.uk).

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