You may have read in the news about a survey we conducted at Tinies on British nannies working abroad. Our survey showed that British nannies are apparently in high demand across the world for their traditional ‛Mary Poppins' qualities and training. There was a 57 per cent increase in jobs abroad for British nannies in 2007 which follows a 20 per cent increase in 2006.

So what is it that is attracting both overseas and emigrating families to the idea of having a British nanny looking after their children?

British nannies are synonymous with high standards of training and this is being recognised around the world. It is clear that some nannies are being paid in excess of a salary that a typical nanny working here could hope to earn. One family living in Moscow offered a pay and perks package worth almost £80,000 for a British nanny. Colleges such as Norland in Bath, where nannies train for two years plus an additional placement year, maintain the sort of standards that set British nannies apart from others.

The hope is that if the nanny has the training and experience back in Britain, then these qualities will ensure the children are looked after wherever they are in the world. An additional factor that many people will be familiar with, is the influence of the reality television shows such as Supernanny and Nanny 911. It is thought the demand is being fuelled by TV programmes that feature British nannies and that have become worldwide hits with parents hoping that if they hire from Britain, they will get Supernanny Jo Frost to care for their children. She promotes the typically British values of routines and old-fashioned rules to keep children in-check but happy.

While British nannies are well regarded, training, experience and a natural way with children are the most crucial factors that are needed in a top nanny. It just so happens that the British child carers tend to have these exact qualities!