The Nanny Diaries

The Nanny Diaries is a podcast series about nannies, their employers and the issues they face in our South African context. The Great Equalizer podcast in collaboration with writer, journalist and mother, Samantha Steele, touches base with experts in the field, moms navigating this unique space and, of course, the real MVPs, the nannies themselves.

English Explicit South Africa Careers · Relationships Samantha Herbst, Charlene Armstrong & Samantha Steele

6 Episodes

EPISODE 1: Hiring & Being Hired as a Nanny

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…

Season 1 / Episode 2 58 min

EPISODE 2: The Ins and Outs of UIF (Part One)

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…

Season 1 / Episode 3 32 min

EPISODE 3: The Ins and Outs of UIF (Part Two)

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…

Season 1 / Episode 4 28 min

EPISODE 4: Live-in Nannies (Part One)

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…

Season 1 / Episode 5 52 min

EPISODE 5: Live-In Nannies (Part Two)

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,…

Season 1 / Episode 6 37 min

EPISODE 6: A child's attachment to their nanny

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,…

Season 1 / Episode 7 50 min