“Today’s
nanny is an educated professional with a working knowledge and genuine love for
children.” – Michelle R. LaRowe, 2004 INA Nanny of the Year
Since being hired for a job in child care today takes much more than what it did in previous generations, these tips and techniques will help you discover what education, experience and support you'll need to land the nanny job of your dreams.
What is a nanny?
A nanny is a child care specialist. A
nanny’s workplace is in a family’s private home and his/her job is providing
one-on-one attention and the best possible care for the family’s children. The
work may be full-time or part-time, and the nanny may or may not live with the
family. The nanny’s role is to provide support to the family by serving as a
loving, nurturing and trustworthy companion to the children. A nanny tends to
have special child care skills and a deep love and understanding of children. A
nanny offers the family convenient, high quality care to meet each child’s
physical, emotional, social and intellectual needs.
A nanny is responsible for the complete
care of their employer’s children. Duties include tending to each child’s basic
physical needs, meal planning and preparation, laundry and clothing care,
organization of play activities and outings, providing behavioral guidelines
and disciplining when appropriate, intellectual stimulation, language
activities and provide transportation when required. Housekeeping
responsibilities are child related. A nanny must be able to communicate well
with both children and parents. Depending on the individual family, the nanny
may be treated as an employee, a cherished friend or as a member of the family.
– The International Nanny Association
Professional Organizations for In-Home Childcare
Providers
Holding membership in professional
organizations is the best way to stay current on what’s happening in your
field. Holding membership gives you a competitive edge by being an active,
informed member of your profession. The professional organizations below
provide unique opportunities for nanny specific education, networking, support,
as well as personal and professional development. By belonging you have the
opportunity to have your voice heard and to be part of the professional
advancement of the nanny industry.
International
Nanny Association
The
National Association of Nannies
The
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Local
Nanny Organizations in the US
US Nanny Training
The following programs provide training to meet the
demands of working as today’s professional nanny. Because there is no
standardized testing or licensing required to work as a nanny, each program may
have their own unique curriculum. The American Council of Nanny Schools is
responsible for accrediting organizations and universities which teach child
care skills for the purpose of becoming an in-home child care provider.
Nanny Training Schools
American College of Early Childhood Education
760 Market Street
Suite 1009
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-677-9717
English Nanny and Governess School
Ms. Amy E. Wooden
Director of Admissions
440-247-0371 or 800-507-8242
Hocking
College
Nanny and Childcare Academy
3301 Hocking Parkway
Nelsonville, Ohio 45764
740-753-3591
Middlesex Community College
Childcare Specialist/Nanny Certificate Program
Nancy Tyler Higgins, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator
Bedford House, Room 105
781-280-3563 or 978-656-3183
Montcalm Community College
Nanny Certificate Program
2800 College Drive
Sidney, Michigan 48821
517-328-1234
Northwest Nannies Institute
11830 SW Kerr Parkway #100
Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035
503-245-5288
Southeast Community College
Early Childhood Education program
Kaye Bartels-Eiland
8800 O Street
Lincoln, NE 68520
1-800-642-4075, ext. 2603
Sullivan University
Professional Nanny Program
3101 Bardstown Road
Louisville, KY 40205
800-844-1354
Vincennes University
Professional Nanny Certificate Program
Lou Ann Lindsey
1002 N. First Street
Vincennes, IN 47591
812-888-5304
Nanny Training Programs
Online / Self Study Nanny Training
Annual Nanny Conferences
Continuing
Education
Many of
today’s professional with jobs in child care attend workshops designed for parents and / or
professionals who work with children. Local hospitals, non-profit educational
organizations and institutions that offer continuing educational credits for
teachers and other professionals often welcome nannies to participate.
Nanny Certification
Although there is no current universal
certification for nannies, the following certifications are available to
nannies. Many of today’s professional nannies take pride in having passed
voluntary examinations and have professionally benefited from holding the
certifications.
International Nanny Association Nanny Credential Exam is offered to nannies that have a
minimum of 2000 hours of documented professional child care experience and
current CPR/First Aid Certification.
Certified
Professional Nanny (CPN) Credentials offered by charter schools of the American
Council of Nanny Schools
Recommended Reading for In-Home Childcare Providers
Career Information
So You Want to Be a Nanny? - FAQS for those looking into becoming a nanny
US Department of Labor Nanny Classification
International Nanny Association Salary Survey
GTM Salary Survey
GTM Trends in the Nanny Industry
Professional Development
The Professional Nanny by Monica Bassett
The Good Nanny Book by P.Michele Raffin
Mrs. Starkey’s Nanny Manager by Starkey International
Nanny Essentials by Angela Rheingans
The
Nanny Textbook by Anne Merchant
Child Development
Books
Visit the
International
Nanny Associations Educational Resource page that provides a
comprehensive list of books that are geared specifically for those working with
children in the in-home setting.
Childcare Related
123 Magic
by Thomas Phelan
Solve Your
Child’s Sleep Problems by Richard Ferber
The What
to Expect Series
Recommended Practices for In-Home Childcare
Providers
To promote quality childcare and an environment for all children that
nurtures their well-being, the
International Nanny Association has developed recommended
practices for in-home childcare providers.
Recommended Practices for Nanny Placement
Agencies
To promote quality childcare and an environment for all children that nurtures
their well-being, the
International Nanny Association has developed recommended
practices for nanny placement agencies.
Tips for
Utilizing On-line Nanny Classifieds and Internet Based Matching
Services
With the
convenience of the internet, many of today’s nannies are turning to online
nanny classifieds and internet matching sites that have replaced the newspaper
“childcare help wanted” sections of yesterday to find nanny jobs.
Many
internet matching websites, free online bulletin boards and for fee searchable
databases have been created to connect potential employers with nannies that
are searching for positions.
However
convenient, there are risks associated with using these services. By using
these virtual services, you are replacing the “human” service component. You
loose the middle man that helps you walk through the placement process, ensure
that ethical practices are being followed, and the support of an agency if the
placement doesn’t go as expected. You are also putting yourself in a situation
where the potential employers have never been met, spoken to, or even verified
as actual potential nanny employers.
If you do
decide to do an internet based job search, consider using a site, like
NannyJobs.com that provides the convenience of internet searching with the
reliability of using a reputable nanny placement agency. NannyJobs.com provides
a forum for reputable placement agencies to advertise their listing positions
on a national level. If a nanny is interested, an application is completed and
forwarded directly to the agency, where the standard interviews, background
searches and reference checking takes place.
Useful
Tools for Nannies
The
following tools are available to help nannies present themselves as a
professional to potential employers, maintain a professional
relationship
with their employers and to equip them with the tools to maintain a high level
of professionalism on the job.
Creating a
Nanny Portfolio
There is
nothing like a first impression. Your professional portfolio is just that to
potential employers. A well thought out, eye pleasing portfolio is a
reflection of your professionalism. Here's a 'How to' on developing a completed portfolio:
An
introduction letter is an autobiographical letter – a letter written by you,
about you. It should give an overview into who you are and how you came to be.
Sharing information such as your family background, educational experience,
work experience, childcare philosophies, hobbies and interests help potential
employers get to know you. The letter should also include details about the
position you are seeking and the type of role you wish to play. For example, “I
am looking for a position where I can be a full charge nanny, helping to shape
the physical, social and emotional development of the children in my care.”
A resume is a one (or at most
two) page summary of your education, skills, accomplishments, and
experience.
It is
usually written in conscience bulleted format outlining “the facts.” A quick
internet search for “resume template” will give you tons of samples to browse
through so that you can create one that expresses your personal style.
Your
work experience section should include the name and contact information for
each previous employer, a description of your role and responsibilities and the
reason for leaving the position.
Your
educational background should include your high school and college information.
-
Professional
Affiliations
This
section should list the names of any professional organizations that you hold
membership in. Joining local nanny organizations is a great way to start
building this section of your portfolio.
Letters
of reference can include both personal and professional. Two of each is a nice
balance. Professional references could come from past employers, placement
agents, industry leaders, members of your local nanny group, people that have
observed you working with your charges (such as the kids teachers) or other
nannies.
Any
and all volunteer work should be included.
-
Awards and
Certifications
This
section highlights any awards received or certifications that you hold.Industry
related awards, include receiving your National Association of Nannies service
award pin, Nanny of the Year Award, or special recognition from others, such as
your local nanny community. Certifications include any special credentials that
you hold, such as certified life guard, or INA Credentialed Nanny, as well as
being CPR and First Aid certified.
-
Nanny Specific
Education / Training
Included
in this category is a list, accompanied by certificates, from any nanny related
workshops or conference that you have attended, any exams that you have passed,
or any training programs that you have participated in. Parenting classes could
also be listed under this category.
-
Publications and Presentations
Any
nanny related articles that you have authored or any workshops or seminars that
you have presented should be included here.
Have
you been quoted in a newspaper article about nannies? Featured on a local TV
show as a “real life” nanny? If so, this is the place it should go.
Having
a few photos of you with your charges and you in action, give the portfolio a
personal touch. If you scrapbook, photo copy in color, your favorite page and
include it here.
Maybe
you have some other qualities or experiences that truly make you stand out.
Maybe you have a cherished collection of cards from former employers, or notes
from former charges. These can all be incorporated into the portfolio.
Sample
Nanny/Employer Work Agreement
All
nannies should have a nanny/employer work agreement in place. Having a written
understanding of the details of the job ensure that both parties are in
agreement of what their expectations are. Having an agreement also gives you
something concrete to go back to when issues, such as which holidays are paid
holidays, come up.
The
following link contains a great article on the importance of work agreements
between employers and nannies and provides a wonderful sample agreement, at no cost.
http://www.nannyanswers.com/topics.htm#contracts
The
International Nanny
Association also offers a comprehensive work agreement that
can be purchased from their website.
Sample Authorization for Medical
Treatment Form
Every
nanny should always carry a copy of an up to date, completed authorization to
treat a minor form. One should also be in the car and in the diaper bag. This
form will allow for treatment of a minor child if the parents can not be
reached for consent.
http://www.ilrg.com/forms/auth-minormed.html
Sample
Daily Journal
A daily
journal, or log book is a great on the job tool. It allows nannies to keep a
running record of the day’s events and to record anything that may have
happened out of the ordinary. It allows you to record meals, temperament,
development notes, questions to ask mom and a place to record when and where
the day to day bumps and bruises occur.
You can
use a regular note book and keep your log journal style, or you can purchase
specialty nanny journals, such as the one online at
www.thefamilyrocks.com
Reporting
Suspected Abuse
Nannies
are mandated by law to report suspected child abuse. For information related to
child abuse and to learn more about filing a report visit
National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect.