Top 12 Nanny Skills to Put on Your Resume

In the competitive world of childcare, a sharp, honest resume can tip the scale toward your next nanny role. Spotlighting the right skills shows families you’re prepared, attentive, and ready to build a safe, nurturing, growth-filled day for their kids—every single day.

1. CPR Certified

CPR certified means you’ve completed formal training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and can respond to breathing or cardiac emergencies for infants, children, and adults.

Why It's Important

In a crisis—choking, sudden breathing trouble, cardiac arrest—quick, correct action saves lives. CPR certification gives a nanny the confidence and skill to act fast and effectively.

How to Improve CPR Certified Skills

To sharpen your CPR readiness:

Take refreshers regularly: Renew on schedule and practice updates designed for childcare providers.
Practice hands-on: Use manikins in skills sessions or drills; muscle memory matters.
Track guideline updates: Follow reputable organizations for protocol changes.
Add Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED: Prioritize pediatric-focused training over advanced clinical courses intended for medical staff.
Request feedback: Have a certified instructor watch your technique and correct form.

Consistency and repetition turn knowledge into instinct.

How to Display CPR Certified Skills on Your Resume

2. First Aid

First aid is the immediate care given after an injury or sudden illness to reduce harm until professional help takes over. For nannies, that includes calming the child, treating minor injuries, recognizing serious red flags, and acting swiftly.

Why It's Important

Kids tumble, climb, experiment, and sometimes get hurt. Solid first aid skills keep small issues small—and buy critical time when something serious happens.

How to Improve First Aid Skills

Build stronger first aid skills by:

Completing pediatric courses: Choose programs that cover infants and children specifically.
Staying current: Review updated pediatric first aid guidance annually.
Practicing scenarios: Run short drills for choking, burns, allergic reactions, and seizures.
Keeping a ready kit: Stock and check a kit routinely; know where everything is.
Knowing your local rules: Understand consent, duty of care, and reporting requirements where you work.

How to Display First Aid Skills on Your Resume

3. Child Nutrition

Child nutrition means providing balanced meals and snacks that deliver the nutrients kids need to grow, learn, and stay healthy.

Why It's Important

Nourished kids focus better, feel steadier, and develop on pace. A nanny who champions smart eating habits shapes long-term health.

How to Improve Child Nutrition Skills

Make nutrition practical and positive:

Serve balanced plates: Think fruits and veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, dairy or fortified alternatives—guided by MyPlate-style portions.
Upgrade snacks: Favor produce, yogurt, nuts or seeds (age-appropriate), cheese sticks, and whole-grain options.
Push water first: Keep water handy; limit sugary drinks. Add fruit slices for fun.
Teach while cooking: Involve kids in simple prep, tasting new foods, and reading labels.
Move daily: Pair good food with active play for energy balance and mood.
Keep mealtimes calm: No pressure, no power struggles. Offer, don’t force; model curiosity.

How to Display Child Nutrition Skills on Your Resume

4. Educational Games

Educational games weave learning into play—math, language, science, problem-solving—while keeping kids engaged and curious.

Why It's Important

Play is how children test ideas and build skills. Games unlock attention, stretch thinking, and boost confidence without feeling like homework.

How to Improve Educational Games Skills

Make games smarter and more joyful:

Hook their interests: Story-driven, colorful, and interactive beats dry and passive.
Personalize: Choose games that adjust difficulty to the child’s pace.
Favor active thinking: Look for puzzles, strategy, open-ended building—less rote tapping.
Use feedback: Pick tools that give instant, constructive feedback.
Protect privacy: Check settings; keep data minimal.
Encourage teamwork: Sprinkle in collaborative games to build social skills.

How to Display Educational Games Skills on Your Resume

5. Behavioral Management

Behavioral management means setting clear expectations, teaching emotional regulation, and reinforcing positive choices with consistent routines and calm guidance.

Why It's Important

Kids thrive on structure. Good behavior support keeps everyone safe, reduces meltdowns, and builds self-control and confidence over time.

How to Improve Behavioral Management Skills

Strengthen your approach:

Study development: Tailor expectations to age and stage.
Set simple rules: Be clear, be consistent, and follow through.
Reinforce the good: Catch them doing it right; praise effort and specifics.
Coach emotions: Name feelings, model coping, practice calm-down routines.
Try time-in: Connect first, teach skills, then reset; reserve time-out for safety.
Keep your cool: Your tone sets the tone.
Use routines: Predictable rhythms lower friction.
Align with parents: Share strategies and stay on the same page.

How to Display Behavioral Management Skills on Your Resume

6. Special Needs Care

Special needs care is individualized support for children with physical, developmental, emotional, or learning differences—designed to meet unique goals, strengths, and daily needs.

Why It's Important

Personalized strategies help children participate fully, build skills, and feel safe. A nanny versed in this care can smooth routines, reduce stress, and open doors for the child and family.

How to Improve Special Needs Care Skills

Level up your care:

Learn continuously: Study the child’s diagnosis, strengths, and triggers; take short courses where helpful.
Communicate often: Partner with parents, therapists, and teachers; keep notes and share progress.
Build predictable routines: Use visual schedules, timers, and gentle transitions.
Play with purpose: Use sensory-friendly, therapeutic play to practice skills.
Promote independence: Break tasks into steps; celebrate small wins.
Know rights and plans: Understand IEP/504 basics and family preferences.
Plan for emergencies: Keep medical info, meds, and action plans close; stay current on first aid and CPR.

How to Display Special Needs Care Skills on Your Resume

7. Language Development

Language development is how children learn to understand, use, and play with words—vocabulary, grammar, conversation, storytelling. It’s the engine under learning and connection.

Why It's Important

Strong language skills boost thinking, self-expression, and later academics. Day by day, a nanny can fuel that growth through talk, books, and playful back-and-forth.

How to Improve Language Development Skills

Turn everyday moments into language lessons:

Talk a lot: Narrate what you’re doing; label objects, actions, and feelings.
Read daily: Picture books, rhyme, repeated favorites—ask questions, predict, retell.
Sing and rhyme: Songs build memory, rhythm, and sound awareness.
Listen, then expand: Reflect their words and add a little more detail to stretch sentences.
Play conversation games: I-spy, storytelling prompts, show-and-tell, puppet chats.

How to Display Language Development Skills on Your Resume

8. Potty Training

Potty training teaches children to use the toilet consistently, with patience, cues, and a routine that fits their readiness.

Why It's Important

It’s a big independence milestone. Good hygiene habits, easier outings, fewer diaper costs—plus a proud, capable kid.

How to Improve Potty Training Skills

Make the process steady and gentle:

Stay consistent: Offer regular potty times; keep routines predictable.
Use positive reinforcement: Specific praise, stickers, or tiny rewards for effort and success.
Model and explain: Simple step-by-step; use storybooks or dolls for practice.
Dress for success: Easy on/off clothing; skip complicated snaps and belts.
Be patient: Expect accidents; never shame. Reset and move on.
Coordinate with parents: Align schedules, language, and reward systems.

How to Display Potty Training Skills on Your Resume

9. Homework Assistance

Homework assistance means guiding children through assignments—planning, clarifying, encouraging—so they learn how to learn.

Why It's Important

It supports classroom progress, builds study habits, and lowers stress at home, freeing parents to handle other needs.

How to Improve Homework Assistance Skills

Help kids work smarter, not just harder:

Set a routine: Same time, same place—predictability reduces resistance.
Create a study zone: Quiet, bright, stocked with supplies; no TV, limited devices.
Clarify tasks: Review instructions together; if unclear, note questions for the teacher.
Use quality resources: Keep age-appropriate reference books and trusted learning tools handy.
Coach independence: Guide process, don’t give answers; praise persistence and strategies.
Keep it positive: Short breaks, encouragement, and effort-focused praise.

How to Display Homework Assistance Skills on Your Resume

10. Safe Driving

Safe driving means following the law, anticipating hazards, avoiding distractions, and using the right child restraints correctly—every trip, no exceptions.

Why It's Important

Children depend on you in transit. Safe habits prevent crashes and injuries and keep families’ trust intact.

How to Improve Safe Driving Skills

Lock in safer rides:

Stay informed: Review current road rules and child passenger safety guidance.
Take defensive driving: Learn to spot risks early and respond calmly.
Maintain the vehicle: Tires, brakes, lights, fluids—check on schedule.
Cut distractions: Phones away; set navigation and playlists before you go.
Mind fatigue: Don’t drive drowsy; plan rest and keep a clear head.

How to Display Safe Driving Skills on Your Resume

11. Schedule Creation

Schedule creation means mapping a child’s day—meals, naps, play, learning, outings—so the rhythm feels steady and balanced.

Why It's Important

Good schedules lower friction, align expectations, and make room for what matters: connection, growth, rest.

How to Improve Schedule Creation Skills

Design schedules that actually work:

Assess needs first: Ages, nap windows, school times, therapies, family routines.
Use simple tools: A shared calendar or routine chart everyone can see.
Prioritize anchors: Meals, sleep, schoolwork, outdoor time—then fit extras.
Communicate clearly: Review plans with parents; adjust together.
Build flexibility: Leave buffers for traffic, big emotions, or surprises.
Review weekly: What worked, what didn’t—tweak and keep moving.

How to Display Schedule Creation Skills on Your Resume

12. Light Housekeeping

Light housekeeping covers tasks tied to child care: tidying play spaces, washing kid dishes, laundering children’s clothes, and quick wipes for safety and hygiene. Not deep cleaning. Not full-house chores.

Why It's Important

A tidy, safe environment keeps kids healthier and frees time for play, learning, and calm routines.

How to Improve Light Housekeeping Skills

Keep it efficient and unobtrusive:

Anchor to routines: Tidy after activities; reset spaces during naps or quiet time.
Declutter often: Fewer items out means faster cleanups and safer play.
Use versatile tools: Microfiber cloths, non-toxic multi-surface cleaners, baskets for quick sorting.
Invite kids to help: Age-appropriate chores turn cleanup into a habit.
Refine your system: Short checklists, quick sweeps, and weekly mini-resets.

How to Display Light Housekeeping Skills on Your Resume

Top 12 Nanny Skills to Put on Your Resume