Nannying is an incredibly fulfilling and rewarding job, but it’s not easy work by any means. A nanny is someone who is patient and attentive, as well as committed to providing care for children of any age. Because of this, becoming a nanny is not a career you should dive into headfirst. You want to have the right experience and training, and it’s also important that you’re passionate about caring for kids.
If this sounds like you and you’re ready to become a professional and find work as a nanny, here are the key steps to help you get there.
1. Get childcare experience
To become a nanny, you need to have childcare experience.
An easy and great way to get some experience fast is to start babysitting for your family and friends.
There are several ways to gain experience and land babysitting jobs:
- Ask to babysit the kids of friends, family, relatives, co-workers or neighbours.
- Shadow families while the parents are home.
- Become an assistant or helper at nearby childcare centres.
Once you’ve successfully taken on your first few babysitting jobs, you can then use that experience to build a steady flow of work. Be sure to ask the families to write you a letter of recommendation or if they would be okay with you using them as references.
It’s also worthwhile asking for feedback and constructive criticism from the parents, as this will help you learn more as you work to transition from a babysitter to a nanny.
2. Focus on training and certifications
There are no formal requirements needed to become a nanny, but arming yourself with the right training and certifications can help prepare you and make you stand out as a candidate.
Anyone working with children should ideally have CPR and first-aid training. You can obtain this certification through providers such as St John Ambulance and the Australian Red Cross.
In any case, a quick Google search will inform you of local providers that are certified to train you.
If you want more in-depth training and education, consider more specialised nanny training courses and certifications, like:
- Infant care classes.
- Special-needs care.
- Water-safety education.
Even if you have a lot of certificates to show off, however, that’s not all families are looking for in a nanny. Qualities such as personality, energy, compassion, empathy and kindness are all just as important to families.
In short: don’t let a lack of certifications stop you from becoming a nanny.
3. Consider an early childhood education degree
To increase the likelihood of landing a job right away, a degree in early childhood education or a related field may be of advantage.
Such degrees can boost your chances of being hired almost instantly, and they’re good to have if this is a job you intend to do long-term.
4. Know the basics
Before you begin searching for a job, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the basics of the profession. The Care.com magazine section is one place to start. In it, you’ll find everything you need to know about:
- Finding the right job.
- Interviewing process and tips.
- Discussing and negotiating pay and benefits.
- Preparing for your first day.
- Setting yourself up for long-term success as a nanny.
Bookmark and reference this guide as often as you need—but don’t stop your research there. There are so many nanny-friendly resources out there, from blogs and books to meetups and childcare forums. Learn what you can about being a nanny so you feel more confident and prepared when you start applying.
5. Familiarise yourself with average rates in your area
As with any job, it’s essential to know how much to charge. Whether you’re looking to work part-time, full-time or do nanny sharing, get familiar with average pay rates in your area. This interactive Cost of Child Care tool can calculate the average pay rates (weekly and hourly) based on how many children you’re caring for, their ages and where you live.
Pro tip: when you’re interviewing with potential employers and discussing pay, it’s OK to share your preferred rate. If the parents can’t afford your desired rate, they’ll most likely try to negotiate it down with you, which is fine if you’re willing to be flexible and no one is being undercut.
However, if a family thinks your rate is too high even though you’re charging fair market rates, it’s a good idea to keep looking!
6. Create an online profile and start applying
Once you’ve got the experience and skills necessary to work as a nanny, it’s time to land your first nanny job! One of the best ways to start is by searching for jobs online and creating a job profile and resume that stand out.
While a nanny resume is important to showcase your experience, many families want to know that you’ll be a good fit for their kids, too.
That’s why you should ensure that your bio and resume are conversational, show your personality and don’t contain grammatical errors.
It’s also a good idea to include more than just your qualifications and experience. Add in things like:
- Your philosophy as a nanny.
- Your values.
- What you would like to contribute to a family.
Because you’ll most likely be looking for nanny jobs online, make sure to include a professional photo. One that portrays you in a responsible, appropriate and friendly way is a good way to go, because a picture really tends to be worth a thousand words.
But when it boils down to it, it’s important to really wow families and shine during the interview. After your resume and bio attracts the family, you then have to go and back it up in person.
Ready to start nannying? Take a deep breath
The journey to becoming a nanny will look different for everyone. Ultimately, though, this journey ends with you working with and investing in kids and families you love. Put in the time and effort to learn how to be a great nanny, and you’ll soon be fulfilling your role as a professional caretaker.