23 OCT 09

First comprehensive research into England’s nannies

The first comprehensive profile of the nanny workforce in England has been published following research commissioned by the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC). 

Nannies form a trusted link in society between parents and their children. They are estimated to be a significant section of the early learning and childcare workforce, yet little has been previously known about the profession's numbers, qualification levels and pay. 

CWDC, in partnership with the education union Voice and the National Childminding Association (NCMA), commissioned the Social Issues Research Centre (SIRC) to undertake original research into the composition, support and training needs of England's nanny workforce.

888 nannies and 55 nanny agencies took part in the survey (see notes to editors for more information). 

The findings will inform the development of CWDC's strategy for the early learning and childcare workforce. 

Key findings: 

• there are an estimated 30,000 nannies working in England and 99% of the nannies who responded are female (see notes to editors⁽¹⁾) 
• over one-half (56%) of survey respondents were 30 years of age or under, with approximately one-third (32%) aged between 26 and 30 
• 82% of nannies surveyed have an early learning and childcare-related qualification (see notes to editors⁽²⁾) 
• the average weekly net pay for those nannies responding to the survey amounted to £312.51; which is approximately £21,000 gross per annum (See notes to editors⁽³⁾) 
• 11% of respondents are currently studying for an early learning and childcare qualification. The majority of these (81%) reported paying for this themselves. (73% were prepared to undertake further training in early learning and childcare)
• 61% of respondents believe they receive adequate remuneration for their work and 79% pay tax and national insurance. 
• Nearly half (47%) of nannies reported working in excess of 43 hours a week and over one third (34%) said that they worked over 50 hours a week. 
• Only 14% of nannies thought that the profession was held in sufficient regard by the general public. 41% thought that parents gave the profession sufficient recognition. 

Jane Haywood, Chief Executive at CWDC, said:This is the largest study of the nanny population to date and gives us a much more accurate picture of the number of nannies in England and their training, qualifications, pay, terms and conditions.

The nanny workforce is, by its very nature, often isolated and unrecognised. This report identifies ways in which CWDC can communicate with and include nannies, taking their needs in to account in our work to support and raise the status of the children and young people's workforce.

CWDC will also explore how we can support parents to select and employ a nanny and establish a trusted professional relationship to benefit their children.

A downloadable PDF of the full report and executive summary is available at Research into the composition, needs and aspirations of the nanny workforce in England | CWDC

Ends

Notes to Editors:

For further information please contact CWDC Press and PR Officer Melissa Loughran on 0113 290 4166, or at comm_officer3@cwdcouncil.org.uk 

1. Without a Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) for nannies, this figure remains an approximation. 
2. The most frequently cited qualifications were NNEB/CACHE Level 3 (39%) and BTEC Level 3 (13%). Approximately five per cent of the sample held a child-care related degree.
3. Assuming the nanny is single, aged under 65 and pays tax and national insurance, a weekly net pay of £312.51 equates to an annual gross salary of approximately £21,000 per annum. 
4. The programme of research undertaken by SIRC involved two separate surveys which:

- elicited basic data from 55 nanny agencies in England

- compiled comprehensive data on the composition, needs and aspirations of the workforce from 888 detailed questionnaires provided by nannies in England

Additionally, the study also undertook a series of preliminary interviews with nannies and nanny agency owners, and one-on-one interviews with relevant stakeholders including agency owners, industry journalists and editors, and representatives from partner organisations. 

Focus groups with nannies were also held in six locations across the country. Other data including the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and the General Household Survey (GHS) from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) were also considered.

The report has been subject to Peer Review.

CWDC exists to improve the lives of children, young people, their families and carers by ensuring that all people working with them have the best possible training, qualifications, support and advice.  It also helps children and young people's organisations and services to work together better so that the child is at the centre of all services. www.cwdcouncil.org.uk