Online social networking community a first for Australian nannies and babysitters in the absence of a professional association
Date: 25 June 2009
A dedicated online social networking community , the Australian Nanny Network, where babysitters and nannies can chat and share knowledge, information and tips around childcare, nannying, babysitting and related issues has been launched by online community, Babysitterdirectory.com.au.
“Working as a full time nanny while extremely rewarding and engaging can at times times be lonely and isolating,” says Babysitterdirectory founder and director,Ms Ann Nolan. “Not only are you spending all day with young children, which can be both physically and emotionally demanding, but unlike a childcare setting, nannies lack the ability to connect with colleagues during the day to debrief and talk through strategies and issues they maybe experiencing.”
“Unlike other professions currently in Australia there are no peak professional association for nannies and babysitters that leads and represents the nanny and babysitting profession. There is no recognisable professional association or group that promotes nannying in Australia locally and internationally and that delivers and develops life-long learning and knowledge to nannies and babysitters,” says Ann Nolan.
Ms Nolan says that the aim is for the Australian Nanny Network to respond to this absence of a professional association for nannies and babysitters in Australia. Currently the Network is open only to registered babysitters, nannies and parents of Babysitterdirectory. However in time as the Network grows and develops Ms Nolan concedes that the membership eligibility and membership levels for this Network will change to reflect the needs of the babysitter and nanny members.
Last month Babysitterdirectory launched a Forum allowing parents, babysitters and nannies to chat and share information and tips.
“We see the forum as related but separate. The forum is about parents, babysitters and nannies connecting,” says Ms Nolan. “The Australian Nanny Network however is about babysitters and nannies and helping to provide them with not only a place to connect but also to assist in establishing a de-facto professional association, says Ms Nolan. “We really want babysitters and nannies across Australia to embrace this community and to make it their own.”
Given that there are literally thousands of nannies and babysitters working right across Australia, many of whom are working in informal settings and casual employment arrangements, Ms Nolan says it is difficult to estimate the potential reach of the Network. “Within three hours of launching the Australian Nanny Network we had 30 members, making us think that there really is a need for a social networking community like this.
About Babysitterdirectorycom.au
Babysitterdirectory.com.au is an online community in Australian providing a way for parents to connect with babysitters and nannies. Parents can perform a postcode search, post Job Ads and chat on the dedicated forum. Babysitters and nannies can upload their profile and sign up for Job Alerts, alerting them to when a job matching their preferences has been posted on the site.
