A Brief History of The Nanny

Nannies and Au Pairs are essential childcare providers for some parents. The role of a surrogate childcare provider is truly a fascinating one. Many readers of this blog will cherish their long-serving helper, although the employ of a nanny is usually only affordable if both parents are working. 

Allowing another person to take care of your kids takes a great deal of trust. A child is your most beloved creation and friend, and giving up responsibility over them for any amount of time can feel a little bit heartbreaking. How did the nanny become a trusted figure in the lives of many parents and children? Here is a very brief history of this noble trade. 

Before The Nanny

Although the term 'nanny' did not see usage until the 18th Century, the role itself was well established in the Europe of the Middle ages. 'Wet' and 'dry' nurses were hired as court servants by aristocrats from around the 1300s. They took care of the raising of children, including their breastfeeding. 

The Nanny Emerges

The profession as we know it today emerged during the age of colonial expansion. In the 18th Century, colonial officers and traders moved their entire families over to captured or annexed territories abroad. The new life that they were required to lead often led to both parents being occupied in social or administrative duties. Local women were employed (or forced into) full-time, live-in childcare staff for this new colonial middle class. When these people moved home to Europe or settled permanently in colonies in India, Africa, or America, they bought their nannies with them. These nannies did very similar jobs to the ones we associate with them today. 

The Nanny In Popular Fiction

The nanny gained a spot in popular cultural imagination. The most famous example of this is the magical nanny dubbed Mary Poppins by author P.L Travers. She represented the exotic and freeing influence of a woman unconstrained by the family etiquettes of the host parents. Travers' books, first published in the 1930's, were hugely popular. In the 1960's, the books were adapted into an all star musical by Walt Disney. The Nanny continues to have a place in popular culture. The early 2000s saw the popular rise of 'supernanny' figures: celebrity childcare specialists. 

Nurseries And The Decline Of Nannydom

Nannying has suffered a little bit of a decline in recent years. Parents have far more options available when it comes to enrolling their youngsters into nurseries. Directory websites have been set up that allows parents to view all of the childcare options available to them. This makes the local nanny somewhat less of an in-demand character. 

A New Age?

One thing that most parents have discovered during the recent pandemic is that good childcare is absolutely indispensable. The Nannying profession may rise to prominence once more. Nannies that are working during the pandemic have been asked to expand their skillset: they are now required to be teachers, caregivers, and all-around child-rearing experts.