How to Get a Nanny License in Falls Church, Virginia

It takes work to get a nanny license but the reward is worth the effort.

If you enjoy looking after toddlers and young children, a nanny might be your ideal career path. While babysitting occasionally for a friend is fine, becoming a professional nanny in Falls Church, Virginia, a suburb of Washington D.C., will require obtaining a license. This will not only help you to achieve a more professional level, but also gives you a leg up on the competition when looking for employment.

Instructions

1. Earn a high school diploma or GED. You must also be 18 years or older to acquire a license. Take classes in early education and, as some agencies may require higher education, earn a college degree in a child-related field.

2. Register through the Virginia Department of Social Services. Fill out paperwork completely, pay any necessary fees, attend all orientations and complete a background check.

3. Have your home inspected by the Virginia Department of Social Services if you will nanny within your own home. Otherwise, apply for a position through a nanny facility or similar employment agency. Include your experiences with teaching and babysitting children in addition to your education.

4. Register with the Virginia Department of Taxation if you will be starting your own nanny business. Be aware that you can nanny no more than four infants at a time. The same goes for 10 children between the ages of 2 and 3, 12 children of 4 years of age or 20 school-aged children.

References

• Virginia Department of Social Services
• Day Care: Virginia State Requirements
• Virginia Department of Taxation: Registering a Business in Virginia

Resources

• Staffing Solutions: Child Care