If it’s a family member’s birthday and you want to make a special gift - try this finger paint ‘silhouette’ craft. It’s easy to do, a chance to get messy and a wonderful gift for a birthday, a Christmas present or a Valentine’s Day surprise. And because it’s finger painting your charges will enjoy making this craft too - try and get some photos of them in the process to accompany the end...

Hello Sophie! First of all - please could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your background?   Hi, I'm Sophie (@spoonful_of_sophie)! I’m 27 years old and I currently live with my partner in our home in a beautiful Cambridgeshire village.  I qualified as a nanny after two years at the Chiltern Nanny College, just two weeks shy of my 18th birthday, and worked for over four years for two London solicitors...

Pros and Cons, Pay and Future Career - Is a Job as an Au Pair Worth It?   If you like taking care of the school-aged kids, want to go to another country to learn a new culture and improve your English, being an au pair is totally worth it. However, you have to do light housekeeping and work for 30 hours per week for 'pocket money'. In this blog post, we will explain what an au pair is, what duties are included and...

Ever thought about teaching in SE Asia.? How about South Korea? This week we spoke to Matt Fennel about teaching TEFL in Korea. Matt Fennell (PGCE, MA Education, TESOL-Certified) is an English teacher and tutor from Liverpool, England. He has been teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) for thirteen years. He taught in a secondary school in England for two years before moving to Korea to teach in schools and then to work as a...

This week we interviewed Roisin Conroy, a VIP nanny/ governess living and working in the Cayman Islands. So if you want to know what it's like working in paradise, read on! Roisin, your job in the Cayman Islands looks fabulous. But how did you first get interested in working in childcare? I have always had a passion and love for children. I had a somewhat unorthodox hotel upbringing which resulted in my being surrounded by...

This week we have a guest interview with Amy Bryant, 'The Suitcase Nanny'. So if you want to find out more about what life is like as a travel nanny/ governess - read on! Hello Amy! First of all - please could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your background? Hey! I’m Amy Bryant, a travel nanny expert also known as The Suitcase Nanny. I’m 26 years old and have been caring for children since I was 9. A...

Working as a nanny or governess with kids is a calling for some. For those with abundant patience, a lot of love to give and a desire to make a difference. It isn’t always an easy job, but there is perhaps nothing more rewarding for a nanny, governor, governess or tutor, than seeing the positive effects you can have on a child’s life. BUT if you work full-time as a nanny or governess, you will soon notice changes in...

Pretend play is a vital part of a child’s development. Activities that encourage children to “make-believe” and explore their creativity is not only fun; it also helps develop essential life skills they can use growing up.  Imaginative play is an activity that allows the child to play a character and act out experiences that capture their interests. Creating a pretend space can aid in the development of a...

Most children develop an understanding of maths at a young age. Addition, subtraction, and counting can be learned through everyday interactions. Toddlers use early maths in their daily activities and play. The knowledge they gain helps them get ready for lessons taught in schools. Early maths does not mean teaching the children how to use a calculator. Simple activities such as counting the steps as you go up and down the stairs can...

The development of a child’s five most essential senses: hearing, sight, touch, taste, and smell, is one of the foremost support a child needs for the development of their language and cognitive capabilities, fine and motor skills, social interaction, and problem-solving.  Even though children can develop their senses in the outside world through experiences, nannies, parents, and childcare workers can further develop a...

Halloween is an event celebrated by adults and children as a day where they can express themselves however they want. Many do this by wearing costumes, while others wear make-up.  Letting the children express themselves can prevent them from developing long-term negative effects, including low self-esteem and depression. Kids who limit themselves from expressing what they feel also face difficulties reaching their unique...

It’s October and Halloween is fast approaching. You and the children have already began preparing what will be the “best costume of the year.” You also start setting up the home according to the theme for this year’s spooky celebration. Then you realize something’s missing: what will you and the children do at the party? Planning out fun and exciting games that children of all ages would enjoy is, at times,...