What does a Nanny do?
Published 4 min read
A nanny is a person who provides care for children in the absence of their parents. Nannies are usually live-in employees, but they can also be live-out employees. Nannies typically work long hours, and their duties can include everything from preparing meals and doing laundry to helping with homework and taking the children to extracurricular activities.
Nanny job duties include:
- Providing physical care for the children
- Feeding the children and preparing their meals
- Dressing the children and helping them with personal hygiene
- Playing with the children and engaging them in age-appropriate activities
- Planning and supervising outings and trips for the children
- Putting the children to bed and ensuring they have a good night’s sleep
- Keeping the children’s play area clean and tidy
- Dealing with any tantrums or behavioral issues that may arise
- Liaising with the parents or guardians to keep them updated on the children’s welfare
- Writing up daily reports on the children’s activities and development
Nanny Job Requirements
A nanny is a trained professional who provides child care in the home. Nannies are usually live-in or live-out, and they may be full-time or part-time. To be a nanny, you must have at least a high school diploma, although many nannies have a college degree in early childhood education or a related field. You must also have experience working with children, as well as CPR and first aid certification.
Nanny Skills
- Patience
- Creativity
- Active Listening
- Communication
- Organization
- Flexibility
- Punctuality
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Emotional Control
- Stress Management
Related: Top Nanny Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Nanny
There are many reasons why someone might want to become a nanny. Maybe they love children and want to work in a role that allows them to care for kids on a daily basis. Or, maybe they’re looking for a more flexible job that will allow them to have a better work-life balance. Whatever the reason, if you’re thinking about becoming a nanny, there are a few things you should know.
First, you’ll need to be patient and good with kids. Caring for children can be challenging at times, so it’s important that you’re able to keep your cool when things get tough. You should also be proactive and have a positive attitude—kids pick up on negative energy, so you’ll want to make sure you’re always putting your best foot forward.
In terms of experience, it helps to have some prior experience working with children, whether that’s through babysitting, volunteering, or working in a daycare. This will give you a good sense of what it takes to care for kids on a daily basis. If you don’t have any direct experience working with children, that’s okay—just be sure to do your research so you know what you’re getting into.
When it comes to education, there are no formal requirements to become a nanny. However, many families prefer candidates who have at least completed high school or have some college experience. Additionally, taking early childhood development courses can also be beneficial as they will teach you about the different stages of child development and how to best support children as they grow and learn.
If you think becoming a nanny is the right career path for you, there are a few next steps you can take. Start by doing some research and reaching out to families in your area to see if they have any current openings. Once you find a family that you click with, be sure to put your best foot forward during the interview process and be prepared to answer any questions they may have about your experience and qualifications.
Related: Nanny Resume Example