How to Be a Great Nanny
One of the most important jobs in our society is the nurturing and care of the next generation. Raising children to be healthy, educated and happy individuals can have a great impact, lasting for decades. If you are entrusted with this responsibility of working as a nanny, you will want to do your best to be a great nanny. A love for children and a willingness to work in partnership with families should be the foundation upon which you build your skills as a nanny.
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Instructions
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Get educated. Knowledge is power. The more you know about children, the better nanny you can be. Take some child development and early education courses. You should be certified in CPR and basic first aid. Other types of skills that will come in handy are cooking, nutrition and home economics. Attending a professional nanny school will provide you with excellent credentials and training, but you can still be a great nanny without this level of training, providing you seek out educational opportunities on your own.
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Communicate with parents. Keep parents and other caregivers in the loop about important events in the child's day such as feedings, diaper changes, medication, and naps. Let the parents know what skills you are working on teaching the child so they can reinforce the concepts during their time with the child. Be sure to share cute things the child might say or special accomplishments, such as sitting up for the first time.
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Take a genuine interest in the child. To be an effective caregiver, you must care about your young charges. Children cannot thrive without love and attention. Respect the children in your care as individuals. Strive to nurture their interests. Calm their fears. Encourage them in their strengths. Be a listening ear. To be an appreciated nanny, patiently answer their many questions.
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Think of new ideas for educational and fun activities. Children are happiest when they are engaged in productive, worthwhile activities. Teach children skills and concepts to prepare them for school. Choose age-appropriate activities such as reading aloud, teaching the numbers and alphabet, listening to classical music, arts and crafts, nursery rhymes, throwing and catching balls, tying shoes, and identifying colors and shapes. See the Resources section for more ideas.
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Be dependable. Not only should the parent's you work for be able to depend on you, the child should know that you will keep your word as well. If you promise to take a child to the park or zoo, don't back out of that promise at the last minute. Don't give a child false hope in order to make him happy for the moment. Always show up for work on time, and never let your personal life interfere with a child's care.
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