They say it takes a village to raise children. We speak to Tammy Edwards, teacher, mum of three and founder of My Governess for some advice on what to look for in a potential nursery or a nanny, and how to let the mum guilt go
How do I decide whether to go down the nanny route or the nursery route?
This is a very personal choice and there is no right or wrong answer. A parent needs to do what they feel most comfortable with. There are many advantages of both nanny and nursery. There are various pressures for parents to put their child into a nursery school at a young age but it is important for parents to understand that there are other options.
Is there any advice you can offer about what to look out for when choosing a) a nanny b) a nursery?
Here are some questions to ask yourself when meeting a nanny:
- Does she portray a love and passion for children?
- Can she provide relevant references and experience?
- Are there any significant language barriers?
- Is she open to training and development?
Similarly, here are some questions to ask yourself when choosing a nursery:
- Does it feel like a happy and welcoming atmosphere?
- Do the children and staff look happy?
- Is the management engaging?
- Is the communication effective and prompt?
- Are the values of the nursery in line with your own?
It can be difficult for working mums to find a balance and not feel a sense of guilt about leaving their children with a nanny when they go to work. What is your advice on how to make the situation work best for everyone involved?
The more confident a working mum feels, the more confident the child and nanny will feel. Communication is key in creating this confidence. Lay out your realistic expectations and discuss ways your nanny can portray these back to you. Provide training to empower your nanny and give your child a thriving learning environment. Plan playdates and even organise for a qualified teacher to conduct lessons from your house, otherwise known as a structured playdate.
Can you tell us a bit about the classes and playdates you run in Dubai and what the ethos is behind them?
I decided to start my own company, My Governess, to train caregivers and parents on an array of topics, as well as to provide learning opportunities and classes from homes and edutainment centres for those in their early years. Over the last four years, we have built up a wonderful team of qualified teachers who conduct structured playdates and classes throughout Dubai. We can come to your community with a trolley full of age-appropriate resources for either private or group sessions, as well as events and birthday parties. All of our sessions are structured with a variety of educational play and a balance of teacher-directed and child-centered activities. We provide nanny training and parent consultancy and we proudly deliver corporate training for all staff working with children and housekeeping for businesses and homes.
