At Irving Scott the name Mary Poppins comes up in conversation regularly, with both clients and candidates, especially at the moment with the latest film adaptation to hit the silver screen. Her name is mentioned often anecdotally, but always with much affection. Despite having supernatural skills which can never be replicated by mere mortals, it is Mary Poppins who inspires 21st century nannies precisely because she is much-loved.
There are, of course, other feature film nannies whose influence can still be felt today. Who wouldn’t want a songbird like Maria von Trapp as their governess to lure tech-saturated children away from their screens and out into the wilderness? Who hasn’t wondered whether Nanny McPhee’s rather alarming mix of bluntness and magic couldn’t be funnelled into their fast-paced modern family in the person of an indispensable nanny? Nannies have left an indelible mark on fiction precisely because they are truly inspiring individuals who perform a remarkable role in our day-to-day lives.
Is it fair to request a modern-day Mary Poppins from an elite domestic recruitment agency like ours? Of course it is! In fact, we challenge our clients to go beyond Mary Poppins and to examine their wants, needs and desires. We curate a list of candidates that suit specific circumstances, offering an informed choice of experienced nannies for each vacancy.
Mary Poppins is universally admired for her astuteness, wit, discipline, professional affection and unquestionable vocation. We expect nothing less from our candidates. However we also cover real 21st century expectations including comprehensive childcare knowledge on areas such as nutrition, physical development, etiquette and emotional intelligence. Our candidates have language skills, driving licenses, First Aid certificates and follow career-specific on-going training programs. Furthermore, unlike Mary Poppins, our candidates are not vain and self-regarding. There is no fear that an Irving Scott nanny/manny will seek out a mirror at every opportunity to check his or her appearance!
Offering more than Mary Poppins is quite a mission… but by working closely with parents, setting boundaries, remaining attentive, keeping education at the heart of the relationship and understanding the role, all of our candidates perform beyond any fictional expectations. Recognising the strong vocational motivation of professional nannies is our knack. Welcoming an Irving Scott nanny into your home is your privilege. Together we form a partnership that guarantees happy children and a happy household… with or without the need for supercalifragilisticexpialidocious nonsense words!
