On the sixth and final episode of The Nanny Diaries limited series, we’re chatting about a healthy attachment between your child and their nanny. For many children, particularly those with working, divorced, bereaved, or even mentally ill parents, their nanny is constantly, consistently there – feeding, dressing and most importantly, comforting them. Nannies are an emotional lighthouse, a safe and dependable harbour in a tumultuous world. In many households they even become the third (or sometimes the second) parent.  As we’ve explored on this podcast, a nanny’s relationship with both y ..read more

Can you imagine living with your boss? This is the reality for many live-in nannies in South Africa and, unfortunately, it comes with a dark origin story, which we unpack in this episode of The Nanny Diaries. We also unpack how this unique working relationship (which is particular to South Africa) has many advantages for both parents and nannies, like increased flexibility and signicantly reduced living expenses (both beneficial for low-income earners like nannies). We'll also hear from both real nannies who live at their place of employment as well as their employers. The employer-nanny dy ..read more

With few legal parameters regarding live-in nannies in South Africa, there is little to no guidance for parents and nannies on what the boundaries and regulations are (especially considering this working dynamic started during Apartheid). The Group Areas Act of 1950 essentially created a migrant labour force in South Africa, where urban labourers like domestic workers, gardeners and nannies had to travel extensively into the city for their jobs. And we are still living with the consequences of this fundamentally racist policy today. Sam Steele speaks speaks to a labour lawyer, Paul Cooley of W ..read more

On the sixth and final episode of The Nanny Diaries limited series, we’re chatting about a healthy attachment between your child and their nanny. For many children, particularly those with working, divorced, bereaved, or even mentally ill parents, their nanny is constantly, consistently there – feeding, dressing and most importantly, comforting them. Nannies are an emotional lighthouse, a safe and dependable harbour in a tumultuous world. In many households they even become the third (or sometimes the second) parent.  As we’ve explored on this podcast, a nanny’s relationship with both you ..read more

Can you imagine living with your boss? This is the reality for many live-in nannies in South Africa and, unfortunately, it comes with a dark origin story, which we unpack in this episode of The Nanny Diaries. We also unpack how this unique working relationship (which is particular to South Africa) has many advantages for both parents and nannies, like increased flexibility and signicantly reduced living expenses (both beneficial for low-income earners like nannies). We'll also hear from both real nannies who live at their place of employment as well as their employers. The employer-nanny dynam ..read more

In this episode of The Nanny Diaries we continue in our quest to wrap our heads around the Unemployment Insurance Fund. So, now that we know that registering for UIF is important and *why* it's so important, we start unpacking exactly *how* you go about it. Sam Steele speaks to UIF consultant Estelle Carstens and takes us through registering your nanny step for step. We also touch base with some real moms who've attempted to register their employees on UIF, and we learn from their experiences. If you still have any questions for Samantha Steele and the TGE gang, please email us at info@thegrea ..read more

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is a system that's been put in place by the South African government to protect people from unemployment, or times without pay (like maternity leave). Sounds positive right? Should be smooth sailing, hey? How lucky are we!? Heh. We can hear you sighing, friends. And the eyerolls are palpable. But we're here to help! If you've ever had to navigate it, you'll know that registering for UIF is one of those incredibly challenging administrative tasks that, it seems, is almost impossible to do without outside help. This episode of The Nanny Diaries will outline ..read more

Hiring a nanny (and being hired as a nanny) can be very daunting. On this first episode of The Nanny Diaries so we’ll be exploring what employers and nannies should know about the hiring process, including finding a right fit, setting up a contract and hiring with your head or your heart. Special contributor Samantha Steele gets some expert insight from renowned agency owner to the stars Jaclyn Zackey-Tinckler. And, as we do every week, we include some crucial tips and first-hand experiences from real moms and real nannies ..read more