A SILSDEN childcare worker is spearheading a national campaign to introduce official guidelines for nannies.

Maria Culley believes there is “shocking” lack of regulation for nannies in private homes which puts both children and nannies at risk.

She has this month launched the UK Nannies Matter campaign with Helen McCarthy, her colleague at the national nannies’ support group UK Nanny.

The Nannies Matter campaign is UK Nanny’s biggest project yet, setting out to introduce regulated guidelines for the professional nanny while educating employers and agencies.

Objectives include setting minimum standards to become a professional nanny, a pay scale for nannies, encouraging policymakers to ensure the safeguarding children, and helping parents feel confident about who they employ as a nanny in their home.

Maria and Helen believe that regulating nannies is a necessity because it establishes a high quality of childcare, safeguards children, and empowers nannies as professional workers.

Maria said: “Working across the early years setting over 15 years, I have found the lack of regulation, safeguarding and recognition is shocking for the nanny industry.

“Children and nannies need to protected within the private home. Many parents presume there are regulations that are mandatory, but shockingly this is not the case!

“There are more checks in a nursery setting when you work in a team and are not left on your own within a setting, than for a nanny who was in sole charge in a private house.”

UK Nanny is running the campaign with two other childcare and education professionals, Laura Hellfeld and Allie Bell, giving the campaign nationwide representation.

They have been supported by Janet Rose, principal of renowned nanny training college Norland, parenting expert Sue Atkins, and magazine The Lady, where positions for top nannies are traditionally advertised.

Maria, added: “The petition was launched on May 5 and the campaign is gaining traction. The ongoing dispute of the nanny industry has come to a head during the Covid 19 pandemic, with mixed messages from government, nanny associations and payroll companies.”

Among the aims of UK Nannies Matter: a new graded pay scale; proper employment contractss; and a minimum requirement of knowledge and qualifications to benchmark a professional nanny.