Types of childcare

At North West Childcare we understand that there are various different childcare options available and we take the time to work out the best solution taking into consideration all the various factors that make up your vacancy including your circumstances, budget, lifestyle and your time frame.

Please find set out below the various types of home based childcare, to get an idea of the options available to you. If you would like some more information on formal qualifications that applicants may have, please follow this link.

Nanny
A nanny can provide a safe, caring, stimulating environment within your home in which your children can grow, learn and develop. A nanny position can be live-in or live-out, full or part time, permanent or temporary.

A nanny is an experienced child carer who is capable of sole charge, but equally would be happy to work alongside a parent. As well as taking care of the children, the nanny would be responsible for everything to do with the children, from preparing healthy nutritious food for the children to doing their laundry.

A qualified nanny is a nanny that holds a qualification  (see our comprehensive guide to the various childcare qualifications).   

Some of the best Nannies do not have formal childcare qualifications. Often a combination of a caring and practical nature, a natural aptitude for relating to children and a proven track record in working in the childcare sector help to ensure that a candidate has what it takes to make a good Nanny.

All our nannies will have excellent references and plenty of relevant experience.

Nanny Share

This is a scenario that is perfect for people who work part time as it is very cost effective as a nanny would work for and looks after the children from more than one family, either at the same time or on different days. The families will have agreed the terms of employment between them and will share the cost, including the nannies tax allowance.

There are different types of nanny share arrangements including:

Split week share: the families would share the nanny and the children are looked after on different days, each in their own home.

Complete share: the children are looked after together at the same place on the same days.

Main family share: One family employs the nanny full time and they share their nanny with the other family for part of the week.

Maternity Nurses / Nannies

Typically, a Maternity Nurse/Nanny is a trained or experienced Nanny or Midwife specialising in caring for newborns.

Maternity Nurses/Nannies will take charge of a new baby and guide and advise the mother on feeding patterns, sleeping routines and other aspects of newborn care.

Employment periods can vary from a few days to a few months, depending on the family’s needs, and are appointed for 12 or 24 hour day or night care, five or six days per week. Unlike a nanny a Maternity Nanny is self-employed. When a firm booking is made, the client contractually commits to employ the Maternity Nanny for a given period of time. In the event that a booking is cancelled or delayed, the Maternity Nanny is eligible and will claim 50% of the salary agreed for the period affected.

Mother's Help

Ideal for general childcare help and is an extra pair of hands for Mum around the house and if minimal sole charge is required, a mother's help may be the best option.

Mother’s Helps can be an experienced/qualified nanny who is very happy to work alongside a parent and do some household duties - or they might be someone who is looking to start a career in childcare, possibly without formal childcare qualifications but will have gained experience with children through nursery or baby sitting work.

An experienced mother's help will have gained enough experience to be able to take sole charge and work unsupervised, upon occasion. You would expect a mother's help to assist with the general housework, not just that connected with the child.

Mother’s helps can be daily or live in, full time or part time (even just a few hours or a single day) and permanent or temporary.

We are also able to offer Foreign Live in Mothers Helps – see link

Nanny / Housekeeper

Nanny/Housekeepers will be in the running of the household (cleaning, washing, ironing, shopping, errands and cooking) and can also be involved in the care of the children usually on a part time basis (i.e. after school & holiday care)

Housekeepers can be daily or live in, full time or part time, temporary or permanent.

We also offer Asian Housekeepers/ Nannies (live in) – (link to Housekeeper Company)

Holiday Childcare Rep

A qualified, unqualified and/or experienced Nursery Nurse who wants to work abroad either on a winter or summer season. This person needs to be confident, enthusiastic, flexible, energetic and be able to work as a team.

An ideal position for someone who wants to travel and see the world. Different holiday companies offer different positions dependent on level of qualification and experience.