The project, 'Twentieth Century Nannies: a history of childcare in the home in England 1900-1980', will explore the interaction and emotional relationship between nannies and families and how this changed over the last centrury.
The study is led by Dr Katherine Holden from the University of the West of England in Bristol. She plans to interview nannies, the children they cared for and their families to find out about their day-to-day experiences, what activities they did together and whether they have continued to stay in touch.
Dr Holden said, 'I would like to speak to women who worked as nannies and young mothers who employed nannies, particularly during the 1930s and 1940s, as this was a significant time of change.'
The study will examine the changing role of the nanny and the interactions between them and their employers. The 1940s are considered signficant because many nannies then were called out of domestic service to help with the war effort.
The research will also look at nannies' material conditions and pay. It will refer to records from training colleges, family correspondence, and the portrayal of nannies in film and literature.
The study will also touch on the relationships between au pairs, maternity nurses, their employers and the children they cared for.
Dr Holden said, 'I don't want to make any assumptions of what the findings will show, but from my research so far I have found that the relationship between a nanny and her employer depends enormously on how long she worked for a particular family. One person I spoke to told me how her nanny became part of the family.'
The study, which has been partly funded by the British Academy, is due to be published next year.
Further information
Those who are interested in taking part in the project can write to Dr Katherine Holden, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, University of the West of England, St Matthias Campus, Oldbury Court Road, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 2JP, or e-mail Katherine.Holden@uwe.ac.uk