Nanny 101

Lesson 1: Introduction - Nanny Basics

Helpful Previous Experiences

All nannies are required to have experience related to the care of children. Usually you will have to specify the ages of children you have dealt with in the past and the types of actives you are familiar with. For example, families with infants feel better if their nanny has cared for babies before. Each age group has different needs; some of which overlap, but specialized experience with a specific age group may help you find work. Each age group comes with a different set of developmental needs and for some people, having a live-in nanny who can recommend activities that are age appropriate to enhance learning and growth is an important part of what they are looking for.

Childcare can be everything from watching your little brother to working at a day care. Not all live-in nannies have prior experience as a nanny. Think carefully about your past experiences and how they have helped you become prepared for a fulltime nanny position. Simply babysitting a few times does not translate into proven childcare experience but if you add to that watching your sibling after school everyday, then you have some solid knowledge to bring to a family.

Working at a summer camp is a great place to get childcare experience in a short amount of time. Most camp counselors do not need previous child care experience but certainly learn very quickly through long work hours and plenty of quality time with children who usually stay in their care for a week or longer. If you are thinking you want to try being a nanny but are not sure, consider working at a camp for a summer to see if you enjoy the role of a fulltime caregiver. As a counselor you have a few solid months of fulltime experience, with the aide of peers, to try out the nanny lifestyle to see if it is for you.

Putting together a childcare resume is something that can help you clarify what positions you have had, the ages of the children you cared for, and what you learned in each role. You can also fill in non-childcare positions and translate the experience you gained into the childcare setting. For example if you worked as a cashier for a year in high school, you can say that you needed responsibility, good communication skills, and a positive attitude to be competent in this position – all good things for a nanny to have as well. Also, putting together a childcare resume can help you see if you have enough experience to feel comfortable working as a fulltime caregiver.

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