How to Become a Nanny for the Stars

Good nannies genuinely love children.

Nannies who work for famous families get to experience celebrity perks like exotic vacations and luxurious living quarters, but they also have to deal with the pressures associated with a fast-paced lifestyle. Stars usually pay their nannies quite well, but they also have high expectations. Nannies who work for stars need to have a genuine love for children as well as one or more college-level degrees. They also need to have experience working with children and a few glowing references. With a bit of effort and some help from a high-profile nanny agency, you might end up landing your dream job as a nanny for the stars.

Things You'll Need

• Child-care degree
• CPR certificate
• First aid certificate
• Driver's license
• Nanny agency

Instructions

1. 

   Meet with a career career counselor.

   Find out which specific child-care credentials you need to become a high-end nanny. Research the work experience and educational backgrounds of successful celebrity nannies to get an idea of the necessary requirements. Meet with a college or career counselor to discuss your educational and career options.

2. 

   Work with children in a variety of child-care settings.

   Get one or more child-related college degrees. A small percentage of nannies find jobs based on their work experience alone but in order to compete with other educated nanny applicants you should get as much child-related education as possible. A degree in early childhood education, child development or child psychology will give you the skills you need and increase your chances of getting a good job. You also need to have quality work experience and a great list of references, so spend time working and volunteering with children.

3. 

   Take swimming lessons.

   Take C.P.R. and first aid classes. Parents want a nanny who can handle emergencies. Think about what celebrity parents look for when choosing a nanny. Get a driver's license if you don't already have one, so you can drop the kids off at school or play-dates. Most stars prefer nannies who can take their children swimming, so if you don't know how to swim, take lessons. Many stars require their nannies to cook nutritious meals for the children, so taking nutrition or cooking classes might give you an extra advantage.

4. 

   Live close to the celebrities while job searching.

   Apply at high-profile nanny agencies in an area where stars live. New York and Los Angeles both have a high celebrity population. You may need to relocate to make yourself readily available for job interviews. Quality nanny agencies accept a limited number of applicants. Review the agencies list of requirements before applying and brush up on your interview skills.

5. 

   Take small babysitting jobs.

   Take small child-care jobs for celebrity families. Some stars hire a nanny to baby-sit for an evening or weekend, or to fill in temporarily for their regular nanny. Accept any small baby-sitting jobs offered to you by celebrity parents. Meeting star parents and their children gives you the opportunity to prove your child-care skills and you may end up getting hired full time, or have your services recommended to celebrity friends who need a nanny.

Tips & Warnings

• You have the right to ask for employment details including whether or not you will receive employee benefits such as paid medical expenses. Your employer should provide you with detailed information on your job duties, work hours, sick days and vacation time.

• Nannies usually have to go through background checks and psychological examinations, which may seem invasive.

• Be prepared to sign a confidentiality agreement before you begin your new job. Celebrities value their privacy and will expect you to do the same.

• Stars may have several homes in different locations, so anticipate a large amount of travel. Be prepared to care for children in hotel rooms and in other challenging locations such as movie sets, limousines or television studio green rooms.

• Don't become a nanny for the stars to gain recognition or to have fun. Celebrity nannies work long hours and do not participate in glamorous events.

References

• ABC Good Morning America: Celeb Nannies: Hollywood Fairy Tale?
• eNannySource: Nanny Hiring Guide: CPR Training for your Child's Safety
• The Official Site of The Hollywood Nanny: Excerpt, from the Prologue
• Legally Nanny: Employment, Severance & Confidentiality Agreements
• Super Babysitting: Babysitter Today - Highly Paid Nanny Tomorrow?

Resources

• 4EverythingNanny: Your Source For Everything Nanny
• NannyNetwork: So I am thinking about becoming a nanny: Nanny Specific FAQs