Nanny Debate Update - CareforKids.com.au®

Nanny Debate Update
The Coalition Discusses Widening Eligibility For In Home Care and The Launch Of The Nanny Lobby Group

We know that parents and forums are a force to be reckoned with and we're glad to see that following the debate over nannies and our articles last month on whether eligibility for in home care should be widened, The Australian has reported that "The Coalition has begun discussions with the nanny industry over stamping out "backyard care", as it pursues its goal of extending the childcare rebate to in-home carers, in the event of an Abbott government. Opposition childcare spokeswoman Sussan Ley said she had spoken to several nanny services about regulation".

Night Nannies Director, Annemarie Sansom has also spoken out about a new professional lobby group of nannies that has formed to fight for regulation and ultimately government subsidies for the work they do caring for children in homes.

The Australian newspaper in an interview with Annemarie reported that "professional nannies" would like to see the industry regulated and a registration system developed to make a clear distinction between the professionals and "backyard care".

They argue that this would protect children and ensure they were being cared for appropriately.

Their new push for regulation will bolster the Coalition's attempts to give nannies subsidies after a Productivity Commission inquiry.

The Nanny's Perspective:
Tracey McDermott, a nanny from Melbourne, is one of the nannies behind the push for regulation and says she was motivated to form the group after seeing a report in The Australian that the Australian Childcare Alliance, (which represents 70per cent of the long-day childcare sector), had written a paper arguing that an increased reliance on nannies would hinder children's intellectual development and put more children at risk of household dangers.

"Children are cared for in familiar surroundings by a familiar adult who they have formed a relationship with", said McDermott. "We are able to spend more time engaged with the children, catering to their individual interests and needs".

The new nanny coalition said in a statement:

The Australian Nanny Lobby Group was established to provide a support network for nannies, the families in which they provide care and those keen to see a difference made within the nanny or in home care industry; specifically towards a more regulated industry and positive media attention for those working within the industry and choosing this option of care for their children.

The future aims of this group are to:

Create a registered association to help support and represent Nannies working within the industry
Establish a national regulation for the Nanny industry of Australia
Establish a national accreditation course and qualification which specifically meets the needs of Nannies and home based carers
Lobby the government to extend the existing In Home Care Scheme to include policies regarding nannies providing parents greater choice and flexible childcare options
Ensure agencies both now and in the future uphold regulations and national standards which could include, though not limited to, home spot checks, OH & S and safety approval of homes (similar to in home care requirements), educational visits and workshops, playgroups etc.

We currently have 130 members and a working committee of 20 interested Parties of Nannies, Parents and Agencies.

If you would like to know more or are interested in joining go to The Australian Nanny Lobby Facebook page or contact Annemarie Sansom on 0448 430 370 or Tracey McDermott on 0415 412 086.

We wish them all the best.