What The Nanny Heard

On this week’s episode, Charlotte, Charlie and Millie discuss where helping out ends and being taken advantage of begins. Being flexible, accommodating and willing to help is often what makes us good at our jobs. However, as Nannies, our desire to be helpful can sometimes lead to a gradual expansion of our responsibilities. Parents may happily relinquish a task because their Nanny has offered to d...

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie discuss what is and isn’t included in a Nanny’s job description, and how the little asks can gradually become part of the everyday workload. How do nannies suddenly find themselves walking the dog, doing the family washing or cooking for the whole household? The ladies explore how a one-off favour can quietly become an ongoing responsibility, how small requests can sn...

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie discuss how being treated like a member of the family can be wonderful, but can it also be a poisoned chalice. In a fully staffed household, is there something to be said for simply being able to do your job, feel respected and maintain professional relationships with the parents and other staff, without the complications that can come with blurred boundaries? Being t...

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie chat with Olivia West about children’s mental health and emotional wellbeing. With a father who was a social worker, Olivia went on to study, amongst other things, child psychology, childhood depression and children’s emotional development. We discuss the importance of naming emotions, teaching empathy and modelling healthy emotional behaviour, and how Nannies can sup...

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie discuss the art of negotiation — a skill that can, and should, be learnt. Nannies are invited into someone’s home, but they are there in a professional capacity. That makes it essential to understand your value, know your numbers and feel confident having professional conversations. One of the biggest lessons is never feel pressured to agree to something on the spot....

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie explore some of the biggest myths surrounding Nannying and childcare and put the truth out there! Are Nannies just babysitters? Do they simply play with children all day? And is Nannying really a career? The answer to all three is a resounding no . Nannying is a skilled profession that requires knowledge, judgement, experience, responsibility and a genuine understandi...

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie chat to Claire, the Wedding Nanny. What started with one family asking Claire to nanny at their wedding has grown into a thriving business through social media and word of mouth. Claire gives us an insight into navigating a high-pressure wedding day, where everything needs to run seamlessly while caring for a child she’s never met before. She shares the hacks and tric...

As Charlotte, Charlie and Millie celebrate 100 episodes, they reflect on the journey so far — from the last 99 episodes to the growth of Your Nanny Network and the incredible community they have created along the way. They explore their shared passion for the podcast, the nanny profession and creating a space where nannies feel seen, understood and connected. The ladies reflect on how their own re...

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie discuss how we can help raise resilient children and how nannying and parenting have evolved over the years. Have we become too quick to step in? Are children being given enough freedom to make mistakes, experience disappointment and sit with difficult emotions? The ladies discuss the importance of allowing children to learn through doing, rather than constantly rescu...

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie discuss the difficult and sometimes uncomfortable reality of being a nanny when a child simply doesn’t seem to like you. Is it something the nanny is doing? Is it about the child? Or is there something deeper going on? The girls explore how a child’s emotions and personal circumstances can affect their relationship with a nanny — from separation from a parent to feeli...

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie explore what happens when a Nanny role becomes overbearing and crosses the line into micromanagement. Parents are, of course, entitled to be involved in their children's care, but Nannies also need to be trusted and given the space to do the job they were hired to do. The ladies discuss the importance of autonomy, realistic expectations and recognising when demands be...

Charlie and Millie celebrate Charlotte's remarkable 30-year career in childcare, reflecting on three decades of dedication to the Nanny profession. Charlotte shares an honest account of her journey, from leaving school and starting her first nanny role through to the career she has today. She reflects on how the profession has evolved over the last 30 years, the lessons she's learned along the way...

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie revisit the important topic of building confidence as a Nanny. They explore how Nannies can develop confidence in their abilities, while also protecting it when things don’t go quite to plan. A small mistake can sometimes feel much bigger than it actually is, so the ladies discuss ways to rationalise these moments, learn from them and avoid allowing them to knock thei...

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie explore the vital role of play in a child's development and ask whether children have forgotten how to be bored. They discuss why unstructured play is so important, the developmental skills it nurtures, and the value of spending time outdoors—even in the depths of winter—with plenty of practical ideas to encourage children outside. The conversation also looks at the N...

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie are joined by ex-career Nannies Louenna and Jess, founders of The Nanny Academy in Cambridge, to discuss their exciting new venture. Designed for those with a passion for childcare, the 12-week residential course combines hands-on practical learning with a Level 3 accredited qualification. With small cohorts, beginning in January, the programme is tailored to each stu...

In this episode, Charlotte, Charlie and Millie discuss what it's really like when childcare professionals become parents and have to choose childcare for their own children. Does working in childcare make the decision easier because we know exactly what to look for in a great nursery and can quickly spot the red flags? Or does it make it even harder to hand over our precious little ones, knowing n...

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie tackle the often-taboo subject of menopause and its impact on the Nannying profession. As more Nannies continue working through perimenopause, menopause and beyond, they discuss the realities of adapting to the physical and emotional changes while maintaining the high demands of the role. The conversation explores the importance of open, professional communication wit...

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie debate the pros and cons of nannying in the city versus the countryside. From the convenience of public transport and vibrant social opportunities to the freedom, space and slower pace of rural life, each setting offers its own unique advantages and challenges. The ladies explore how location can impact a Nanny's work-life balance, social life and even their dating pr...

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie reflect on the roles that have shaped their careers, exploring both the highs and the lows of life as a Nanny. Every position teaches us something. The positive experiences often help us identify what we value most in a role—whether that's travel, proxy parenting, shared care, or a particular family dynamic—while the more challenging moments show us what we'd rather l...

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie explore the unique privilege—and responsibility—of being entrusted with a child's secret. When should a nanny keep a child's confidence, and when is it necessary to share information with parents? Drawing on their own experiences, they discuss how Nannies can navigate these delicate situations, including how to handle conversations with a child when information may ne...

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie offer advice for Nannies navigating family crises, from bereavement and divorce to major household changes. They discuss the role of the Nanny when working conditions shift — including changes to hours, communication and treatment — and how long difficult situations should reasonably be tolerated. The episode also explores safeguarding concerns, where professional bou...

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie discuss attachment, and how those bonds affect both children and Nannies. The ladies dissect the importance of attachment figures for children. It’s not about competing with parents — it’s about championing the children. Realistically it is not uncommon for a Nanny to wake a child in the morning and put them to bed five days a week, so creating a secure attachment is...

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie discuss the wealth gap between Nannies and their employers. How do Nannies manage the wealth that their employers are displaying whilst asking you to be frugal. How can Nannies keep the children in their care grounded, whilst feeling they are on an upward struggle.  The ladies discuss the key indicators that Nannies are working with high-net-worth (HNW) families,...

Charlotte, Charlie and Millie discuss the often overlooked safety protocols. Yet they’re essential for every Nanny — especially when working solo with no one to call on in an emergency. The ladies discuss the key safety procedures all Nannies should know, how to handle unexpected situations calmly, and when to rely on formal risk assessments versus personal initiative and experience. From managing...

Charlie and Millie discuss the current hot topic surrounding sleep experts and Maternity Nurses, exploring the lack of regulation within the industry and the wider gaps in postnatal support available to new parents. The ladies question who can truly call themselves a consultant, and whether experience should be measured by years in the role or genuine expertise. They highlight how the title has be...