St Albans nanny wins national accolade

A MODERN-day Mary Poppins from St Albans has been crowned Professional Nanny of the Year. Katy Fitzjohn, aged 27, of Mile House Lane, was one of four finalists in the Professional Nanny of the Year competition, an annual event organised by union Voice wh

A MODERN-day Mary Poppins from St Albans has been crowned Professional Nanny of the Year.

Katy Fitzjohn, aged 27, of Mile House Lane, was one of four finalists in the Professional Nanny of the Year competition, an annual event organised by union Voice which recognises the professionalism of nannies employed throughout the UK.

Katy, who was nominated by the parents of one of the babies she cares for, said that she was amazed by the result: "I wasn't even expecting to be shortlisted, so there was a definite moment of disbelief when they announced my name! It's a wonderful achievement and I'm very proud of it."

Katy currently cares for three babies, all from homes in St Albans, but spends most of her time with the family who nominated her, Jo and James Costin and their one-year-old daughter Jemima.

Katy, who looks after Jemima five days a week, said that she was very grateful for the nomination: "I owe this all to Jo and James, who first approached me in May asking if they could enter me into the competition. I absolutely love looking after Jemima and I can't imagine leaving that job anytime soon."

Katy, who got married in July this year, was awarded first place prize of a trip for two to Paris and a year-long membership of Voice, the union for education professionals.

Katy, who has always wanted to be a nanny, said that she was looking forward to working more closely with Voice: "As part of my prize, I'll be working with Voice next year to try and raise the profile of nannies. It's an important role to play and one which people don't often appreciate.