Maritime Training Academy is delighted to announce the launch of our brand-new short course: Childcare Onboard a Superyacht. This unique and highly valuable course is designed specifically to support crew members caring for children in the high-pressure environment of luxury yachting.

Course author, Ella Peters, is the founder of Superyacht Nanny and a leading specialist in onboard childcare. With a decade of experience in the superyacht industry, Ella brings a wealth of hands-on knowledge and passion to the course content. Her consultancy business, Superyacht Nanny, is dedicated to improving standards and support for childcare onboard—offering services to families, crew, nannies and brokers worldwide.

Whether you’re a nanny, stewardess, deckhand, purser or part of a yacht management team, this course will equip you with the confidence and skills to deliver exceptional experiences to families and children at sea.

We spoke with Ella to find out more about her background, why she created the course, and what students can expect:


Tell us about your background and how you got into the Superyacht Nannying industry.

I’ve worked in yachting for 10 years now—7 of those as a yacht nanny. Before that, I was a stewardess, and I’ve also done heaps of UHNW nanny roles on land too—travel nannying around the world, ski nannying, working with royalty, nanny consulting… all sorts! Becoming a yacht nanny felt like the perfect mix of my two worlds: childcare and stewardessing. It let me do what I love most—working closely with kids—in some of the most incredible settings on earth.

I set up Superyacht Nanny because I saw a big gap in the industry. Charters are designed to create amazing experiences for the adults, but there wasn’t much thought going into what those experiences look like for children. I wanted to change that, making sure kids are not just safe and looked after, but genuinely happy, engaged, and having an unforgettable time onboard.

What inspired you to develop the Childcare Onboard a Superyacht course and why do you think it’s needed in the industry?

There’s often an assumption that childcare is “easy” or intuitive, but in a high-pressure yacht setting with no clear guidelines, it can quickly become overwhelming. This course equips crew with the skills, strategies and safety knowledge they need to confidently care for children, while still excelling in their main role. As more families choose yachting holidays, professional childcare training for crew isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

What are some of the key topics covered in the course that you believe will be most valuable to students?

We cover a broad range of topics tailored specifically to the yachting environment. This includes:

  • Safety at sea and age-appropriate considerations
  • Creating screen-free entertainment and themed activities
  • Hiring a superyacht nanny and enjoying a successful working relation with them
  • Provisioning and activity essentials for every age group
  • Managing differing service and housekeeping expectations for children

What advice would you give to someone thinking of enrolling on this course?

If you’re a stewardess who’s ever been asked to “keep the kids entertained” and felt unsure where to start with planning an incredible family charter—this course is for you. You don’t need to be a nanny to create magical, safe experiences for children onboard. You just need the right tools and a bit of insight. This course will give you the edge in interviews, boost your confidence, and help you deliver exceptional, consistent service to families—without adding stress to your day.


About Superyacht Nanny

Founded by Ella Peters in 2023, Superyacht Nanny provides expert childcare support for the maritime and luxury sectors. Combining Ella’s experience as a yacht stewardess and professional nanny, the business offers services including training, consulting, digital resources, job referrals and provisioning—designed to enhance the experience of children and families onboard superyachts.

Find out more about the short course in Childcare Onboard a Superyacht.