So you want to become a Nanny...?

Well before printing out your resume and bringing it down to the nearest nanny agency, here are some things to consider…

A nanny is employed by one family, often in a live-in basis (though live-out is not completely rare) hired for the care of children and the domestic tasks related to the child. Neither experience nor formal training are technically necessities, though like all jobs, they are much preferred. And a work week will usually be over the typical 40 hours.

A commonly held misconception is that a nanny is just a fancy word for baby-sitter. This could not be more incorrect. A nanny is not just someone payed slightly over minimum to watch a child. A nanny is responsible for encouraging in the emotional well-being of the child (or children), as well as their intellectual and social development and maturation. This can involve homework, potty training, or even learning to walk!

Many families that approach a nanny agency do so looking for an employee to make a time-commitment, often over a year. That’s why it’s important to consider all the different factors when selecting “nanny” as your next job title.

How patient are you? Working with a small child can be tedious, and small children can be even more so. With a work day that can often go long past 10 hours, you need to make sure you’ll be able to handle the stresses of a typical days work.

Are you trustworthy? There is nothing more near and dear to the heart of a parent than the health and happiness of their child. Great lengths will have to be taken to guarantee trust. And some parents won’t ever give it to you, no matter what you do.

Are you flexible? Things rarely go exactly as planned when it comes to kids. If you lack the improvisational skills required to flourish with young children, this may not be the job for you.