How to become a nanny in 10 steps I believe you arrived here because you might heard or read about how much money a nanny makes a year or how rewarding career it is. And right now you are thinking to change your path and become one yourself.
For this reason, consider getting certified in a few of these areas prior to applying:
Be on time! Your employer is counting on you.
NO fibbing. Call as soon as you know that you are running late, or will not be able to work due to illness. Plan your personal days – don’t call in sick at the last minute the day after a concert – ask for that day off with ample notice. Your employer plans his/her professional schedule around your work; s/he needs time to shuffle commitments too. Be honest and up front – dishonesty is the single biggest reason a nanny loses her job.
Give 100% effort, and always finish your duties. It is NOT ok to leave the snack dishes in the sink!
Anticipate and communicate. Running low on diapers? Used up the last of the milk? Let your boss know. Need to schedule a routine doctor’s appointment. Ask your employer BEFORE you schedule if there are times that might work better for her. Don’t walk into work on Monday and announce you need to leave at 3PM the next day for a scheduled appointment. This impacts your employer’s work and career too!
Be positive. “I will” is a much more positive message than “I’ll try.” A sunny smile and cheery attitude is contagious.Every job will have challenges at times. Before bringing a problem to your boss, consider possible solutions. Propose the solution that you feel works best – and be open to your employer’s point of view. If you have a problem and just want to complain, moan and groan to a friend instead.
Don’t gossip Respect your employer’s confidentiality. Never post anything on Facebook or any social media that you would be embarrassed if your employer knew. Don’t post photos of your charges, or identify them by name, without the parents’ explicit permission.
Recognize opportunities to help and volunteer when you can. That milk that is running low? Offer to pick up a gallon at the market when you are out for a walk. Just opened the last container of baby wipes? Leave your employer a note or add to the family grocery list. Know your employer won’t be home until 6 PM and has a 6:30 soccer practice on the schedule? Offer to prepare a simple meal or pack a sandwich for your charge and the parent.
Respect boundaries! You work in a private home, may genuinely love your charges and be quite fond of your employer. That is all well and good. It is important to remember, however, that you are NOT a member of the family, that this is your job. Behaviors, attitudes and issues appropriate for discussion in YOUR private home with YOUR family need to stay there. Don’t bring your fight with your significant other to the workplace, and don’t interfere or in any way comment on the relationship between your boss and his/her significant other.Boundary issues are a two way street. Sometimes it is the employer who is crossing the line. When your mom boss asks “So when are you and X going to start your family?” it is perfectly fine to respond with a non-committal “I’ll be sure to let you know if and when that happens” and then change the subject.
Not your job? In every job we occasionally need to do something that is “not my job.” If it truly is a once-in-a-while kind of thing, do the task without complaint. When your employer asks you to do something a little out of the ordinary, don’t take offense and never say to your boss that it’s not in your job description to do it. And whatever you do, don’t sigh! (Deep audible exhale) We all know that a sigh communicates “I am so annoyed! Really?” – use your words!
It’s all about attitude A flexible, “can do” attitude is valued in an employee. Life is not predictable all the time. An employee who is adaptable and capable of adjusting to a last minute change of plans is a treasure.
Be CPR certified. As an active babysitter myself, this is the most popular request I have received. The Red Cross offers courses, and there are many other online options as well. This certification does cost a bit of money, but if you have already signed up to babysit for someone, you may consider asking them to use part of your pay to pay for the course. It is very quick and easy, but it will help you gain trust in any family you babysit.
Be First Aid certified Chances are that if you are CPR certified, you are also first aid certified. But if you choose to opt out of the CPR, the first aid certification is a good starting position that will still get you in many doors. This course will teach you the basic facts of caring for a child, such as how to treat simple cuts, how to perform the Heimlich maneuver, and how to stabilize a child until further help arrives.
General Child Care Certification: Check out if there are any 4-H Clubs near you that offer babysitter certification services. These courses provide useful tips as to how to entertain children, what to do when children act up, and what to do in emergency situations. You can also receive your first-aid certification through the program. The clubs will often come to schools to conduct the certification, which will be one day a week for a month, but there are other options as well. If there is no 4-H near you, check for a Safe Sitter course. It offers many of the same things as 4-H. You can also find a similar course at your local YMCA.
Learn to drive
Learn to swim
Be pet care specialist
Become nutrition advocate
Learn tutoring
Parents choose nanny care to provide their children with individualized, personalized care that is consistent with the child rearing philosophies of the parents. Being a nanny is a job, a demanding one. Parents generally expect that the nanny have a genuine interest in the well-being of their children, and that the nanny have or obtain the necessary information and skills to provide quality care.