London wants Australian nannies. Traditional jobs for the UK childcare market leaned toward hiring Italian, French and other Western European women as nannies, but the market is changing rapidly according to UK childcare companies. The typical Briton is looking more toward Australians to carry out the nanny duties.
According to surveys of British women, they find the Australian nannies easy to fit into the family, they are more friendly and amenable and the language barrier doesn’t exist. Some nanny placement companies are begging Australians to travel to the UK and hire out into the nanny market. One agency head said that Australian nannies are reliable and sensible, and everyone loves them.
Here are three primary reasons for Australian nannies to consider the UK market:
* Work permits are easy to come by.
* Enough money can be earned to travel the continent afterwards.
* Demand is so high for Australian nannies that contractual commitments of six months to one year are acceptable.
What Qualifications are Necessary?
A recognized childcare certificate, such as a TAFE certificate, is needed or one to two years experience as a nanny. Many clients will call for the nanny to drive. Fortunately, the Australian driving license is good for one year in the UK. Women who have no nanny experience can quality as a mother’s helper. References as a babysitter will be required.
Visas and Work Permits
Women interested in a UK nanny experience should apply for a working holiday visa. This visa is good for two years. Many Australians use this visa to work as a nanny for the first year and then travel the Continent the second year. It’s a great way for a woman to earn a good sum of money, and then she can compile a fantastic European cultural portfolio. The UK limits these visas to people between the ages of 17 and 27. Older women will have a tough road to earn this work permit. Women with UK grandparents can claim a special circumstance and apply for “grand partiality.” Those who qualify are issued a four-year work permit.
Living in London
It is expensive. London is undergoing a housing shortage crisis. Rentals are sky-high, starting at $250 per week. It’s not unusual for workers to nest together and pile four to six individuals into a three bedroom flat.
Nanny Placement
It’s a great idea to line up an agency before leaving Australia. The agency will check to see that all paperwork and references are in order. With that all set, interviews for nanny jobs can begin immediately. It’s a good idea, though, to rest a week or so before setting out on interviews. This allows time for acclimation.
Work Hours
Britons work long hours. Working daily from 7 am to 7 pm is not unheard of. Babysitting two nights a week may be expected. Working hours should be agreed to in a contract.
Nanny Salaries
Nannies working in Central London earn an average of £34,516 annually. This sum is before taxes, and Australian nannies are required to pay UK taxes. A live-in nanny will earn £26,870. Wages for nannies in Outer London and other areas will be less.
About the Author:
Kelsey is the editor in chief for www.findananny.net. She loves to write article and ideas that parents & nannies would be interested in hearing. She helps society on giving information about nannies through nanny services. She is a professional writer & loves writing on anything.