Interview - Vikki Matcham and Laura La Turner
Katy Morton
Sunday, September 1, 2019
Wise Nanny is a consultancy and training company for nannies and parents
WHY AND WHEN DID YOU START THE BUSINESS?
We have both worked with children and families for more than 30 years as well as raising families of our own. As professionals and as experienced parents we were constantly being asked for help and advice on anything and everything to do with bringing up children, from how to get a full night’s sleep to how to deal with a fussy eater or how to help a child struggling with transitions.
A couple of years ago we were chatting over a coffee agreeing that we both wished we could do something more specific to help parents and young nannies, and so Wise Nanny came into being. Initially we developed Wise Nanny to provide support through training and workshops, but following up on feedback and research we identified that a more instant and easily accessible solution was needed.
We are now in the process of developing an online membership site, where parents and nannies will have access to a one-stop shop for trusted information and support, providing answers through factsheets, webinars, reviews and interviews.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR WISE NANNY?
We are currently working on an exciting project to expand and move our business online. We want to provide a trusted place that parents and nannies can go to to find clear, unbiased answers. Whether they need help with breastfeeding or weaning, would like some strategies for managing a ten-year-old’s behaviour, or are struggling with an emotional teenager, we want to be there for them.
Our goal is to make information as accessible and reliable as possible and to meet a wide range of needs from a quick fact check to full consultancy for families, or CPD courses focused on home caring for nannies.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?
We both are lucky enough to have had a wide range of experiences. We trained and worked in our early careers as traditional nannies, working in a range of roles and locations. After a few years we both moved to working in the nursery sector, which led onto managing, owning and running nurseries; Vikki has also owned a children’s physical activity franchise.
Over the years we have maintained our passion for childcare and our belief in the importance of the early years in children’s development; continuing to undertake further learning and adding to our knowledge and skills whenever we can. As well as working directly with children we have also worked in family support and in more recent years have created, developed and delivered training programmes.
DO NANNIES CONTINUE TO BE A POPULAR CHOICE FOR PARENTS?
Nannies are even more popular these days. With so many parents working in demanding and stressful jobs, having a nanny ticks all the boxes, providing security, consistency and flexibility. Parents who choose a professional nanny are ensuring that their children’s development and well-being needs are in expert hands.
For someone in the childcare sector, choosing to become a nanny allows them the opportunity to build a close working relationship with a family and develop their self-reliance and creativity through supporting the children in their care. They can also have opportunities to broaden their horizons and have unique and interesting experiences that may not occur in other childcare roles.
