Deciding on a career as a nanny

Are you considering becoming a nanny?

Do you delight in the everyday little things of caring for kids?

Do you have a passion for care and education of kids?

Be mindful that you don’t choose to become a nanny just because you love looking after or love children.

More importantly, you should chose being a nanny as part of your career path rather than a quick way to travel, find a job, etc.

Being a nanny should be a professional career choice.

You will also find that you’ll enjoy your job if you respect each and every child as a unique person with feelings, thoughts and ideas, no matter how old they are.

There are positives’ and negatives with every career.

If you go into a career with your eyes open then both the positive and the negative will be bearable.

Pro’s:

• Flexibility in your day. Generally no two days are exactly the same and nor should they be.  That is part of the charm of caring for kids. There are different activities and tasks to be done and the child will influence and alter the day.
• You have more freedom to go places, do things and enjoy the child in your care without the restrictions often imposed on carers in child care centres.
• You work independently. Of course you work in partnership with the parents, but on a day to day basis you are working independently with sole responsibility for the safety, development, behaviour and overall well being of the children.

Cons:

• You need to be a motivated person to maintain your drive and not become bored or complacent.
• It can also be frustrating as it is on the whole not a regulated industry. Unfortunately, you may also find that it’s may not be as recognized as let say the Leader Educator in a childcare centre.
• Nanny positions can be a lonely, isolated job, especially if you are new to it or new to the area.
• You may find that you feel you don’t receive enough peer recognition, you work long hours without too much gratification, you are considered a glorified babysitter from some, and so on.

If you have decided to become a nanny we have a few top tips to help you in your transition as a new nanny.

• It’s important not to choose a career as a nanny for the money. As with any position the primary  as you won’t necessarily get rich.
• It’s good to have at least some knowledge about child development.
• Be picky about whom you work for. Meet the whole family before making a decision and be happy that you feel they are the family for you.
• Be organised. Don’t just let the days happen, plan activities and share your day’s events with your employers through a daily diary.
• Communicate with your family. This is one of the most important things to promote and is essential in establishing and maintaining a successful relationship with your employers.
• Set a good example. Keep your environment tidy, your appearance respectable, act like a professional and you will be treated as such.
• Be professional. Act, dress and ooze professionalism as it is your career. Just as if you were to work in an office you would dress and act appropriately. The same is for a nanny position. You need to be able to get down on the floor and play and interact with your child in care.