Tips and tricks for those moving to London (Part 3 - For Nannies and Au Pairs)

Hello again! Happy Friday! Continuing on from our “Moving to London” series (see part one for before you leave here, and part two for when you arrive here), I’ve learnt lots of different things from finding work as a Nanny, too. If you are coming over to be a nanny, or an Au Pair, here is a few tips specific to you.

1 - Who, What and How

Applying with an agency is the best place to start. You will need to send a copy of your passport, blue card/police check, First Aid certificate, any qualifications, visa if you have it already, CV (make sure this is done right, it will be important), drivers license and a photo is a good idea also. Agencies are a very helpful resource and will guide you through the major parts of the process like contracts, interviews etc. 

2 - Specifics

Send your information to as many as you can, just google agencies in London and they will all pop up. Some agencies will say thank you but we don't take internationals, others will say they will want to meet you when you arrive and some will accept you via Skype. Agencies that are specific to your nationality will always accept you as an international who is moving over. I used KiwiOz London and they were great for me. It really depends what you are willing to do, if you can afford to come over with no job, then go for it you may have a better shot at some positions in this case, but if you want a job before you arrive that is possible too.

3 - The live in live out debate.

As I mentioned before it is hard and expensive to find a place in London but it is all part of the experience. I am in a live in position as I wanted somewhere to live before I arrived. I was very lucky and found a job that gives me my own space in the basement with my own entrance so I still have my own life here. Its nice to be comfortable while getting your bearings instead of being thrown in the deep end. Well it was for me. It can be disheartening otherwise. Live in jobs are easier to get, if you want a live out job you will be competing with people who have worked in London before, are residents or who are already in London. Again it depends if you want a job before you arrive. You will get more pay when you are a live out however you need to compare the wage to what you will spend on living.

4 - Pay

Live in positions as a nanny will get paid between 300 and 450 a week (max 60 hours) after tax which takes into account you living in and eating their food (huge benefit). You will get more benefits from the family if you live in. Live out pays about 12 pound an hour on average so your pay will depend on your hours. If you are an Au pair (younger, older and/or have no experience or qualifications) you can expect to get paid 130-180 pounds after tax a week, you will live in and have all expenses paid, but I would recommend making sure you have money behind you for travel as the money you make won't go too far.

5 - Get Insured

You will need insurance, you can get this through Morton Michel. This is super important, it is your public liability which protects you on a legal level if anything was to happen to the children while they are in your care.

6 - License

If you have an Australian license you do not need to change it as you can drive anywhere in the UK or Europe with this in any rental car (If you are under 25 it will cost you more due to insurance and some companies may not rent to those younger). However if the family you work for want you to transfer it to the UK they will pay for this.

7 - Interviews

If you are going to be doing Skype interviews make sure you are prepared. Ask the agency for tips if you want them, for any information on the family you don't have or just read up on the position have any questions ready for them. People love when you ask questions as it makes them feel you are more committed to the idea of working with them. Also just be yourself. Experience is important but they really need to know if you fit into their family so put your best foot forward. Do not lie or bend the truth. Are you a quiet person? Tell them. They need to know these things. You may loose an opportunity or gain one that isn't for you if you don't.

8 - Contracts

You will receive a contract, if you don't you need to get one. If you are going through an agency (which I recommend) they will have a contract for you, don't worry you are not signing your life away or signing yourself up for a lifetime. If you find a job from another means, you will be able to find a contract template online that you can follow. It will need to state holidays, extra pay, penalty rates, overtime, weekend and overnight pay, living arrangements, hours, expectations, probation period, notice to leave periods, length of contract etc.

9 - Hours and Holidays

It is very normal to work Monday-Friday 12 hrs a day if that is what the job spec has said. You will usually have to babysit at night two times a week if stated in the job spec also. Some families would like you to work a Saturday on occasion but they will specify. You will get 4 weeks paid holiday a year, all bank/public holidays unless otherwise asked and sometimes sick leave. If you work for a family who travel and they don't want you to go they will pay you as per normal, for the period they choose to go away, as it isn't your choice not to work, it is theirs.

C x