Definition of a Nanny
The people children come in contact with in their early years help to shape what kind of person they will become. Pursuing a career as a nanny can be a highly rewarding career. It's a way to influence the next generation of leaders through one-on-one interaction. You must enjoy being around children and have a great deal of patience to be a successful nanny.
Other People Are Reading
-
Job Description
-
Nannies are expected to be a positive influence on a child's life. They care for the child's basic needs, follow the instructions of the parents and plan the child's daily activities. They also plan and supervise the child's rest time, bed and nap times and keep accurate records. Nannies prepare meals for children in according with the child's unique dietary needs and allergies. In "Careers in Child Care," Marjorie Eberts writes that job duties also include "creating an environment to foster trust, self-esteem, and independence in children."
Training
-
A college education is not a prerequisite for this career. Many nannies use their own experience as parents. To be competitive in the field, some nannies earn degrees in early childhood education, which gives them flexibility in the career field. CPR and first aid training are recommended. For training and specialized certifications, The International Nanny Association has exam programs to add credentials to your resume.
-
Salary
-
The salary for nannies is often determined by experience and the number of children the nanny cares for. More experienced nannies earn a higher hourly rate or yearly salary. Nanny's can be employed full-time, part-time or as live-ins. Geographic location and the median income of families in the area also play a factor. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says, "Median hourly wages of child care workers were $9.12 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $7.75 and $11.30."
Getting Hired
-
Keep a clean record as most families will perform a background check or require the nanny service they use to hire you to have performed one already. Focus your resume on child care related positions and education. Collect recommendations from all the families for whom you provide services. Register with a staffing agency to help build your resume. In "Careers in Child Care," Marjorie Eberts writes, "Nannies can find jobs through newspapers, the Internet, referrals from friends and through associations like The National Alliance of Professional Nanny Agencies."
Child Abuse and Neglect
-
Both the parent and the nanny are responsible for preventing child abuse and neglect. As a nanny, keep a watchful eye for signs of abuse. If you have concerns, contact the local authorities. For parents, nanny cams aren't enough. CNN reports that some states such as California have regulations that "require all child care givers to be registered on a database called TrustLine that uses state and federal criminal records and other personal information to screen applicants." Working with children for so many hours can lead to burnout. Take time off or quit if you find yourself uncontrollably angry with your client's children.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit karten spielen image by Yvonne Bogdanski from Fotolia.com
