A photographic print of Ayahs and Amahs at the Ayahs Home in London

A photographic print from the Daily Herald Archive folder: Babies » Nursemaids. The caption on the reverse reads "TOMLIN. 19.8.38. Scenes at the London City Mission Ayahs and Amahs (Indian and Chinese Nurses) Home in King Edward Street, Hackney. The "nannies" from Burmah, Calcutta, Ceylon [modern Sri Lanka] and Hong Kong, came to this country weeks ago with English families as nurses to their babies. 2. Mrs Fletcher, wife of the Supt., plays the piano while the Ayahs and Amahs sing their native songs."

The Ayah's Home in East London had a long history before this photo was taken. It had originated in the mid-nineteenth century as "Mrs Rogers Home for Indian Ayahs" in Aldgate. After several changes of management and location, the London City MIssion took over the home in 1900, and ran it for the rest of its existence.

An Ayah was a nursemaid for young children, usually until the age of about four. The term "Ayah" was nearly always applied to Indian women, though it was sometimes used as a catch-all term for a non-British person of colour who cared for young children. An Amah was the specific term for a Chinese woman caring for children of the same age, and was less common than Ayah.

Ayahs and Amahs were also known for being travelling nurses for children, sometimes called "sailing nannies". They were often employed while families were living in different locations in the British Empire, and would work with a family until they returned to Britain. Either as soon as they arrived in Britain after the long sea journey, or when the children in their care were old enough to no longer need a nurse, they would seek employment with a new family travelling back to their home country. Many passed through the Ayah's Home in East London, some several times over the course of their career, though some also stayed in Britain long-term.