Understanding the Role of Nannies In Child Development

An Interview with Mhairi, Norland Nanny

In this month’s blog post, we're excited to introduce Mhairi, a qualified Norland nanny who runs Serene Child Consultancy and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in childcare. Norland nannies are known for their rigorous training at the prestigious Norland College, where they learn to provide exceptional care tailored to each child's individual needs.

At Homebodies, we are proud to not only place exceptional Norland nannies of Mhairi's caliber but also highly-qualified caregivers with a range of childcare degrees and training, all dedicated to enhancing your baby or child’s development.

Join us as we explore Mhairi’s journey, her unique insights into child development, and the perspective she offers as a professional nanny.

Mhairi's journey in childcare and the motivation behind her training

"When I was growing up, I always wanted to work with children. I was four and a half years old when my sister was born, so I remember a lot from when she was a baby. I always wanted to be involved, helping with her care. This progressed as I got older, always wanting to look after younger cousins and neighbours.

When I was 10 years old, I saw a programme on TV about Norland Nannies, and it was at that point that I decided I would become one. I knew that whatever career I chose, I wanted to be the best of the best. Norland is a world-renowned college, so I knew that was the right path for me."

Key qualifications and skills emphasised by Norland training

"At the end of my training, I gained a BA degree in Early Years Development and Learning and also the Norland diploma. My degree enabled me to understand the theory behind child development, whilst the diploma and the placements that were part of my diploma qualification helped me put the theory into practice. Through my placements in nurseries, schools, and family homes, I gained a wide range of experience with children ranging from newborn to 8 years old.

This then meant that when I began my NQN (newly qualified nanny) year, I had the knowledge and skills to care for the children and help them develop."

How does training prepare nannies to support child development?

"By doing the degree and the diploma, we learn about different theories for learning, and what makes children develop. The diploma then allows us to see these theories in real life.

We learn that each child is unique, and while one method may work for one child, a different child may have a completely different way of learning. The diploma helps teach us ways to incorporate learning into everyday life. Through fun games and conversations, walks in the park, or the drive to school drop off, we learn that in every situation, we can find something to teach the children."

At Homebodies, we work with nannies with different types of childcare qualifications, which also include CACHE-level, NVQ, Montessori, Chiltern, and even teaching qualifications from their country of origin. We also place maternity nannies or night nannies, and rota nannies. All nannies can be live-in or live-out nannies, depending on the family’s requirements.

What aspects of child development do nannies focus on?

"The aspects of child development to focus on vary depending on the age and stage of the child. I always encourage positive, caring behaviour, good manners, and politeness. I know that if the children in my care were my own, I’d want them to become lovely, polite people in society, so this is my aim. Saying 'please' and 'thank you', holding the door for people, and having nice table manners are things that can be taught from a very young age.

For some children, if their age fits, I encourage counting and looking for letters in their name. This could be counting the number of flowers on a bush or looking for the first letter of their name on a road sign. I think it’s very important to make learning fun and part of everyday life. By engaging the children in games or challenges, children don’t even know they are learning, but they have a great time! I am also passionate about promoting outdoor play and a healthy, active lifestyle."

At Homebodies, we emphasise finding nannies who can add value to the families they work with and support every baby and child to reach their full potential. Helping children meet their key developmental milestones is crucial. That’s why our experienced and qualified nannies focus on the child's development using a fun, playful, and engaging approach, so the child can learn through play, while the nanny continues to enrich their life.

How to establish healthy emotional and social development in children

"This varies from family to family, but from my experience, I believe children thrive when they have boundaries. When they learn right from wrong, know what the limits are, and can see that the adult is in control, they feel secure. A secure child who feels safe is more likely to be emotionally resilient. I give clear outlines of the behaviour I expect and talk to the parents about how to deal with challenging behaviour."

Common misconceptions families have about the role of a nanny in child development

"Often parents think their child may develop more by being in a nursery setting (surrounded by lots of other children) than being with a nanny. However, as nannies, we can offer one-to-one care for a child and tailor activities to the child's needs. We can then also provide play dates or take the child to classes, so they are getting social interaction to build development, too. Having a nanny gives you the best of both worlds! The child gets one-to-one care but can also get group interaction and learning through play dates."

How to collaborate with parents to support their child's development

"Whenever I am in an interview, I outline how I work as a nanny. Every nanny has their own style. For example, I’m firm but fair, but also fun. If my ideas and views don’t align with the family's, then I’m not the right nanny for them - it's as simple as that. And if we do align, then it's great.

For all families, I give feedback from each day on how their child has been. I’ll share the wins - these could be things such as potty training, drawing, writing their name, being brave, or climbing up high at the park. I’ll also share any concerns - if a child has struggled with something, I may suggest practising with mum and dad in the evenings or at weekends. And if I think the child may need additional help with school, I may suggest we speak to the teacher to ask how we can support them further. For each child, the plan for promoting development is unique."

Tips to parents when choosing a nanny

"For your children to develop to the best of their ability, there needs to be unity, clear communication, and consistency between parents and the nanny. If your beliefs in development, discipline, and day-to-day life don’t align, don’t just settle for any nanny. It’s far better to wait for the right one. I have worked in families where we haven’t been completely on the same page, and the partnership didn’t work anywhere near as well as when I’ve been in a family where we are united and show consistency."

What are the benefits for nannies of finding placements through Homebodies?

"Working with an experienced agency such as Homebodies to find a nanny role is beneficial, as the agency goes through a thorough process of finding out more about the families and their requirements in advance. Only nannies who match the family's needs will be put forward for interviews. Homebodies also help you with contracts and make sure you are the right fit for the role. They can also act as an intermediary if a difficulty should arise."

Parents have a lot of choices when it comes to nanny agencies, but in our experience, few genuinely care about finding a good match. This is why we offer a bespoke, caring, and thoughtful approach that focuses on each family’s unique needs, parenting style, and dynamics.

Would you like Homebodies to help you find the perfect nanny for your family?

We hope you enjoyed Mhairi’s insights into the nurturing and developmental roles that professional nannies play. It proves the unique advantages of personalised and tailored childcare for families.

If you're considering hiring a nanny and want to achieve the best possible match for your family, contact us for an informal chat. We’re here to help you find the perfect nanny who aligns with your family’s values and needs.