Nannying can be a meaningful and fulfilling career for people who are passionate about childcare and love spending time with kids. But how do you start your career as a nanny? Let’s explore some tips for how to gain experience, connect with parents, and present yourself professionally
Gain Childcare Experience
It’s important to gain childcare experience before you start your nanny career–both to build your resumé and make sure nannying is a good fit for you. You can get experience by babysitting, volunteering at a daycare or with a community center’s childcare program or offering childcare for friends or family members. In fact, Jovie recruiters recommend doing all of the above to gain experience! It’s also a good idea to seek out formal education before launching your nanny career. You can take child development courses (check community colleges, daycares, or community centers near you to see what they offer) to learn what to expect when interacting with children at every age and how to support their growth. As a nanny, it’s also essential to have CPR and first aid education, including infant first aid. Community centers, emergency departments, and local nonprofits often offer classes and certifications, so look for one nearby. They might even offer one specifically for childcare providers. Some nanny and babysitter placement agencies, like Jovie, will offer ongoing training to help caregivers stay in-the-know on childcare education and up-to-date on essential skills.
Update Your Resume and References
Building a professional and thorough resumé is an essential step in launching your nanny career. Highlight your skills, certifications, and experience. Include specific details such as the ages of children you’ve cared for, the types of activities you are comfortable leading, courses you’ve taken, and any special skills you’d bring to the job (e.g., tutoring or art). In addition to your resumé, you’ll also need to gather references. Ask two to three parents if they’d be willing to speak to your skills and professionalism as a babysitter or nanny. It’s helpful to have reliable references in your back pocket so you can confidently provide them to potential employers, whether they’re a nanny agency like Jovie or a family, who can always follow up with your references. Be prepared for employers to conduct a background check. Most nanny agencies, including Jovie, will perform a background check prior to placing you with a family. In some cases, the families might opt to do their own background checks as well.
Prepare for Your Interview
Like any other career path, preparing for job interviews as a nanny is imperative. Practice articulating why you’re interested in being a nanny and express your love of working with children. You can even practice interviewing with a family member or friend and get their feedback on how you express your ideas. If you’re applying to work with a nanny placement agency, read up on qualities recruiters often look for during an interview.
Maintain Professional Relationships
Once you’ve landed your first job as a nanny, ensure you remain professional so the family is satisfied with your services. Be on time, maintain open communication, establish clear boundaries, and take the initiative to make your time with your nanny kids meaningful and fun. By upholding professionalism in these ways, you’re more likely to enjoy your work and receive positive references from families in the future–which will help take your nanny career to new heights!
Ready to Launch Your Career as a Nanny?
Jovie is here to help. We’re passionate about connecting fun and experienced nannies with families, plus we provide local support and ongoing training to help level up your nanny career. Launch your career as a nanny with Jovie today!
