Graduates from the Ashton Warner Nanny Academy, such as Jessica McMillan, are working all over the world. Jessica joined the academy in May last year and now has a great job working with a family in Athens, Greece.
She had done a lot of casual jobs after leaving school but
was not sure what she really wanted to do for a career. She was working at a coffee house when friends who had done the Ashton Warner course recommended it to her.
As part of the Ashton Warner course, graduating students link up with local nanny employment agencies. Jess had an interview with Tinies, a worldwide organisation and a leading nanny agency in Auckland. They were impressed with her personality, enthusiasm and passion for working with children and put her forward for the job with a Greek family. The family had previously employed another Kiwi nanny, and when she decided to move on, was keen to get another New Zealander. Lisa Nelson, director of Tinies, said Jess' training was a distinct advantage.
Jess looks after four children, three of them school-aged and the other a one-year-old. The job involves getting the children up in the morning, giving them breakfast and preparing them for the day. She has a programme of activities for all the children, but she feels the most important thing is that everyone has fun. In the evening she gives the children dinner, showers and plays with them.
Amanda Shribman, principal of the academy, says its courses are increasingly popular because they offer a practical Level 3 programme that is open to all. Students who enjoy academic work also have the opportunity to gain a higher-level, NZ national nanny certificate qualification.
"Ashton Warner graduates are in strong demand and can go straight into jobs as nannies or as educators in early childhood centres,'' she says.
"Professional nannies can earn between $520 and $680 for a 40-hour week in New Zealand, or in London up to $1500 per week. Students who choose to work as educators at an early childhood centre can expect to be paid about $400 to $600 per 40-hour week and to continue to study part-time to eventually become qualified teachers.
"Most students go straight into jobs, but our courses are designed to prepare students for higher-level education.''
GREECE: Ashton Warner graduate Jessica McMillan in Athens working in her first nanny job.
Graduates from the Ashton Warner Nanny Academy, such as Jessica McMillan, are working all over the world. Jessica joined the academy in May last year and now has a great job working with a family in Athens, Greece.
She had done a lot of casual jobs after leaving school but
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