You Too Can Be Mary Poppins: 10 Helpful Tips for New Nannies
I have been a full-time nanny for the past two years. Having gotten into the field just a little over a month before COVID struck, it was definitely a God send. I never had to wear a mask to work, never had to worry about losing my job like so many others, and it gave me plenty of exercise and opportunities to be creative. If you — like me — love children and can’t teach, nannying may be the perfect career for you; whether temporary or lifelong. If this sounds like you, here’s some great tips to get you on the right track.
Always Make Sure a Job is Legit First
While you can just ask on Facebook if someone is looking for childcare (though stay as far away from Craigslist as possible) there are tons of great websites for aspiring nannies such as yourself. Since you’re a beginner, I’d recommend checking out Care.com or College Nannies + Tutors. Bonus points if the family posts a picture of themselves on their ad.
Begin Gaining Experience ASAP
I started babysitting at age 12 and continued to gain experience throughout my teenage years. Websites like Care.com won’t allow you to make an account unless your 18 but gaining experience before then is as easy as spreading the word of your services around your neighborhood. Making some flyers to hand out to homes with kids or post in public places is a great way to start. As stated previously, Facebook is always a good place to ask if anyone is in need of a date night sitter. Also, never be afraid to ask your parents for help spreading the news. Word of mouth is another great source of advertising (and we all know how long our moms can spend talking to a friend they ran into in public).
Know Which Age You are the Most Comfortable with
It's extremely common for parents to want a nanny who has experience caring for children in their own child’s age range. This is where my previous point on gaining experience can also come in handy. The more you learn about being a nanny the more you will learn about which age you work best with. Having been with the same family for over two years, I myself have gained plenty of knowledge on taking care of infants and toddlers.
Set Firm Boundaries with Your Boss(es)
Performing a task a little bit outside of your job description is something we’ll all have to do at some point. However — just like with children — it’s important to set limits where they’re needed. For example, if your schedule is a typical 9–5 on weekdays only, feel free to say no to an offer of a shift on Saturday if you don’t feel comfortable working such. If you have regular doctor’s visits you have to make during work hours — say you have diabetes or regularly go to therapy — make this known before or shortly after you are given the job. If your bosses can’t or won’t accept healthy boundaries, they’re not the right fit for you.
Know What You Should Be Paid
This one is a bit tricky to figure out as the amount you make can vary based on what country or state you live in, whether you’re working part time or full time, and your own finances. I will say the more experience you have, the more you can charge hourly or per child.
For more specific details, Care.com provides some excellent help at the link below.
If This is Your Career Path, Look for Jobs with Benefits
Benefits are vital in any career and nannying is no exception. A lot of families offering full-time, professional positions are happy to offer benefits like health insurance, holidays, and paid time off. While job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed will have a few options, your best option is to go with some agencies or websites like The Nanny League, Adventure Nannies, or British American Household Staffing.
Make Sure Your Having Taxes Taken Out of Your Paycheck
No one likes to discuss taxes, but since everyone has to file them, it’s best to bring it up now. If you don’t have taxes taken out of each paycheck, you will literally pay the price during tax season by having to pay an enormous amount all at once. I had to learn this the hard way during my first tax season as a nanny. Make sure you and your boss set this up first thing.
Now that you’ve landed a job, let’s go over some helpful tips for when you’re officially on the clock.
Sometimes You Have to Discipline Your Kids
The hardest thing for me to do as a nanny was develop a backbone. None of us have gone through childhood without being punished for doing something wrong and it’s highly unlikely your kids will be different. Always make sure to give a warning or two before resorting to punishment. However, if your kid won’t stop hitting, refuses to share, or lies to your face, it’s time to break out the old “time out chair” (or whatever form of punishment the parents say is best).
Don’t be too Hard on Yourself if You Make a Mistake
Children aren’t the only ones who can mess up sometimes. You could accidentally burn the dinner, give your child the wrong advice, or forget to put that one child proof lock back into place. The area I personally struggle the most with is how much or how little to discipline my children when they misbehave. Recognize your missteps and learn from them just like everyone else.
Bonus Points: Do Some Extra Research Outside of Work
Run out of fresh ideas? Good news, the internet exists now! Look up some new, delicious recipes for lunch or snacks. Find a new craft for you and your little artist in training. It’s also a great way to find new books or shows that have things your little one is interested in. When my eldest went through her dinosaurs phase, a quick Google search of “children’s books about dinosaurs” introduced me to the “How Do Dinosaurs…?” series by Jane Yolen. She couldn’t get enough!
