Mannies

The threat of attractive, young, female nannies is forcing British mothers to employ the latest in childcare must-haves – a manny, otherwise known as a male nanny. And following kiss and tales from Jude Law’s and David Beckham’s nannies who can blame them?

Remember the episode of Friends when Freddie Prince Jr. played a manny?

Almost 80 per cent of mothers feel their marriage would be under threat if they hired an attractive female nanny according to a recent survey. The insecurity of new mums has helped to fuel an increased demand for male child carers, otherwise known as mannies.

But despite this acceptance of a previously female dominated job, there are not enough mannies to meet the demand. Tinies, a supplier of nannies, maternity nurses and nursery staff surveyed more than 1,500 families around the UK. Nine out of ten said they would consider hiring a male nanny, following in the steps of Gywenth Paltrow and Britney Spears who have both employed male nannies.

Director of Tinies, Oliver Black, said that more families were willing to consider a male nanny or a man working in their child’s nursery.

He continued: “Our research shows that the threat of an attractive female nanny is certainly an issue and it is a factor in increasing the demand for male childcarers. However, there are very few male nannies and nursery staff out there.

“There is no getting away from the fact that childcare remains a female dominated career.”

Mr Black said: “Attitudes are certainly changing, and mothers especially are now more than happy to leave their children in the care of an experienced and qualified male child carer. We are finding it easier now to find quality jobs for male candidates and this survey underlines that.”

Facts and figures 

• Eighty-one per cent said it was more acceptable now than ten years ago to hire a male nanny.

• Ninety-four per cent said they would consider a male nanny.

• Twenty-one per cent said they knew a family who had hired a male nanny.

• Forty-eight per cent said the father would feel threatened by a good looking male nanny.

• Seventy-six per cent said the mother would feel threatened by an attractive female nanny.

Case study

Manny Roy Davies has seen a complete change in attitudes to male child carers during his 11 years in the job.

Roy, 31, used to help his mother run a playgroup when he realised he enjoyed looking after children. He says: “When I left school I knew childcare was the career I wanted even though it surprised friends and family.”

When he left college in 1995, however, he found that even childcare agencies were not willing to put him up for nannying jobs. Roy says: “The agencies at the time had never placed a man with a family. Even getting a job at a nursery was hard despite my qualifications.”

Roy had left Highbury and Islington College with a BTEC and NVQ in childcare, but he decided to put any thoughts of applying for nannying jobs behind him and spent four years working at a north London nursery instead.

After a career break when he went travelling and worked in retail, Roy returned to childcare last year and found employment opportunities through the central London branch of Tinies.

Roy says: “I found attitudes had really changed and male nannies and nursery staff were much more accepted.

“I was put up for a nannying job and got it, something that would not have happened when I first came out of training.

“I looked after a five-month-old girl and a one-year-old boy and found it really rewarding. The parents wanted the best person for the job and we really got along in the interview. They also liked my experience and that’s why they chose me.

“Working in childcare is a really rewarding job. There is no reason why men cannot do a good job and I am really glad that they are now more accepted,” he added.

Roy now works for recruitment consultant Sally Franklin, who has a nine-month-old son Laurie. He also works at a nursery in Islington North London.

Sally, who works part-time said she had no hesitation in using Roy. She says: “He is a fantastic person and just brilliant with children. It is a shame there are not more men going into the childcare profession.

“I think some women do feel threatened if an attractive girl comes in to their house to look after their baby. For me though the most important thing is to get the right person for the job – male or female.”