Being a nanny is no small job. It’s even more complicated when you’re faced with the prospect of keeping up with the demanding competition. And there are a lot of great nannies out there! So how do you stand out in a pile of resumes or bring your career to the next level?
We asked seven seasoned nannies, all of whom have more than 15 years of nannying experience, to offer up-and-comers some insight on being successful in this industry.
- Have Realistic Pay Expectations
“Do your research on what the going rate is in the area where you want to work, based upon nannies with similar education, work experience and job responsibilities/duties/number of children/hours,” says Penny Gary, of North Carolina. “Please don’t expect the same pay rate as those of us with extensive child care experience, education and training. We worked our way up to our current rates after starting low.”Use Care.com’s rate calculator as a pay rate starting point.
- Talk About Taxes
Gary also suggests talking with your employer about being paid legally, ensuring the family contributes to necessary nanny taxes and provides you with a W-2 form (never a 1099!). When a family pays you more than $1,900 in a year, they’re required to pay taxes. It will benefit you also, because you’ll get access to unemployment, Social Security and health care benefits.Learn more about How to Handle Taxes If You’re a Nanny.
- Go Above and Beyond
Earning higher compensation and landing better jobs means putting in the leg work. And we don’t just mean while you’re on the clock.“Great pay is something you earn by being good at what you do, by continuing to grow as a professional, by taking early education classes and workshops, by keeping up with the latest trends in child care and infant development, by attending conferences, and by getting involved in the industry on a national level by attending the International Nanny Association’s annual conference or joining NAEYC,” says Glenda Propst, the Missouri-based founder of nannytransitions.com and the 1991 Nanny of the Year.
Check out these 12 Nanny Training Courses and Certifications to get started.
- Know How to Present Yourself
Take the time to really hone your skills and package them well for interviews. “Start with a professional portfolio!” suggests Nicole Lang, Washington-based nanny and household manager with 21 years of experience. “Create a clear and concise presentation of yourself, how you excel as a nanny and what you are looking for.” She also suggests keeping your first aid and CPR qualifications up to date and being on top of your driving record, so that there are no unwanted surprises.Do you have these 11 Things to Bring on a Nanny Interview?
- Be a Professional
“Act professionally, no matter whether you are a career nanny or a novice nanny,” emphasizes Deborah Brown, Georgia-based nanny and executive director of the nanny support group Metro Atlanta Nannies. If you want your employers and fellow nannies to take you seriously, you need to treat this job like the important career it is.That includes things like dressing appropriately and being on time.
- Choose the Right Jobs
If you stick with your nanny career long enough, you’ll probably work for many different families. As you’re job hunting, be a little picky (if you can!).“Take positions that allow you to be the best nanny you can be,” shares Brown.
Don’t choose to work for a family where you and the parents fundamentally disagree about most child care issues, she suggests. It might take you a bit longer to find the right match, but everyone will be happier in the long run.
- Establish a Work-Life Balance
Nannies spend their time caring for others. And their own lives can sometime take a backseat. Don’t let it!Take a proactive approach towards finding a balance. You may have career goals, but what about personal ones? Right now think of one simple thing you enjoy doing — and add it to your schedule for the upcoming week.
“I struggled with this quite a bit at first,” says Lindsey Ayers, a second generation nanny living in Ohio. “Simple things like a yoga class on the weekend or making sure I have a date night (even if it’s a date night at home with a movie) really help me feel like I’ve remembered to fulfill my own needs too.”
- Be Ahead of the Game
When most of your day is spent running after kids, it’s easy to feel like you’re always running behind, struggling to get chores done. “A nanny can prioritize tasks by working to stay a step ahead of job needs,” says Myrna Alphonse, MA/NCC, mother and veteran nanny located in Washington, D.C. She suggests getting household tasks done while the children are at school or pre-planning healthy lunch or snack ideas when you have free time.
- Know that Communication Is Paramount
“Communication and organization are huge in this business; without them, things just won’t work at my home with my family or at work with my work family,” says Andrea Brocklesby, Ohio-based nanny. “We also have a large scale chalk board that we use weekly and a notepad that we write back and forth on daily.”Communication will help you avoid these 5 Real Caregiver Relationship Problems.
- Leave Gracefully When it’s Time to Move on
“The nanny world is small,” says Brown, “and you don’t want an ugly exit to haunt you down the road. Of course, if a position is putting you at risk in any way, move on as quickly as possible!”Read more about How to Quit Your Job.
Whether you’re new to the scene or have a few years under your belt, refer to this list for guidance, and make nannying the truly rewarding experience it can be.
Kayla Mossien is a writer for prominent blogs and websites and is the former editor-in-chief of PARENTGUIDE News.
