ABOUT THE JOBS

The different jobs available to New Zealanders

Nanny - Sole charge
To be eligible for a sole charge nanny position you require either qualifications and practical experience, or some very solid child care full time experience, for example - a full-time nanny position.  As a sole charge nanny, you would be responsible for the running of the household as well as the children. The parents would both work quite long days, but usually take over when they arrive home. These positions can be live-in or out, and the characteristics required are common sense, organisation and independence as well as confidence and maturity. Nursery duties are comprised of cleaning up after the children, doing their laundry, school runs, supervising homework and bath-time. You would have to prepare basic and proper meals for the children and keep the house tidy. These duties are in addition to entertaining the children in the holidays, after school activities, dentist and doctor visits, grocery shopping for the whole family and buying and mending school uniforms and clothes etc. This type of position is very rewarding for the right person, Likely salary would be stg 180-250 per week for a live-in position, more for a live-out position, depending on your experience and qualifications. Room in London is worth stg 100 per week so it's pretty good pay.

Mothers Help.
This job is also rewarding for those on a working holiday who don’t have a lot of experience and no qualifications. The pay is still quite high, stg 120-180 per week live-in. Room in London is worth stg 100 per week so it's pretty good pay. Although the mother usually doesn’t work full-time she may have her own business or just be out a lot of the time, she may also just need a great helping hand around the place.  The nanny in this case helps the Mum with whatever she  does. It could be anything from taking them to school to staying in while one of them is asleep, and catching up on the ironing, You will find that the mother likes to include you in outings with the children, it gives her a chance to relax a little. Usually these Mum’s have 2-3 children, and with both of you sharing the responsibilities life is a little easier. General tidiness, after yourself and the children is expected in all jobs. An untidy nanny won’t last long in this field of work. Once the mother trusts you, you will find she will go out quite a bit and do her own thing while you run the family. Average hours of live-in positions are 12 hours per day, from the time the children have to get up for school until after bath-time. As a general rule most jobs are week-days only, some families require help in weekends for which time in lieu would be accrued to be taken later. Most jobs include 2-3 weeks paid holiday per year as well as statutory days. Your tax is paid by the employer so any salary quoted is net of tax. (Yours to keep.)

Advantages of living in
 You don’t have to pay rent, phone rental, power, gas, or travel costs. The fridge always has proper food in it, (instead of baked beans and 2 minute noodles). You would be living in a nicer area than you could ever afford to rent in, and probably driving a nice car.  Living costs are extremely high in the UK. So if your intent is to save money then this is your best option. It’s amazing how food and bills can mount up, and all of a sudden you have none of your savings left.

Position contract lengths
Most employers are looking for a minimum commitment of 12 months. You will generally be asked to sign a contract. It is in the best interest for the children that a nanny can stay for a reasonable length of time, as they do get very attached.

"Well I have found myself a job as a nanny.  I 've been here 2 weeks and got one already!  The job I have is in West Sussex (out in the counrty) looking after 2 children who are 6 and 4 and they both go to school.  I am provided with a car, and can use it for personal use too and I don't have to pay for any thing for the car except petrol when I use it for long road trips!  I am also provided with a house known as the 'Grannery', and on the bottom floor I have a kitchen, living are and bathroom and then on the top floor is a HUGE bedroom!  I also don't have to pay for any of the living expences either.  The Grannery is far enough away from the family home that I can have my own space.  The family home is HUGE!!!!  The family are right into travelling around the world and have houses in France, Spain, Swizterland, Austraila and London.  On boxing day we are going to Austraila for 2 weeks so I am looking forward to that as I have never been there before!  The houses that they have in these places are small so I am put up in a 4 or 5 star hotel.  And then other countries we go to I either share with the kids or get my own room - it all just depends!  On flights out of Europe, the kids and I fly business class and the parents first class and the on flights around Europe it is just standard class and the parents business!  So all in all I can't wait to start, on the 3rd Novemeber.  Currently there is no nanny there and hasn't been one since the beginning of September.  I will work on a rotary based system, where in term time I will work up to 42 1/2 hours a week and then in Holiday time about 30 hours a week.  The parents are really down to earth people and so are the children". Gina.

If you are flexible and not too fussy on what you want , we will be able to find you a great job.  There are positions available all year round. Remember that the summer holidays in the UK are from July to September, and a lot of families travel abroad in that period.   If you are willing to give nannying your best shot and go with an open mind and be prepared to adapt to their way of life to an extent, then you will be a great nanny, and have a wonderful time. There are so many people travelling over there that there is never a shortage of new friends to meet. It’s a wonderful way to make money and to experience life in England.