Frequently Asked Questions :: So You Want to Be a Nanny
Answers to questions people often ask about in-home child care
Prepared by the International Nanny Association
©2002 International Nanny Association
All rights reserved.
INA is a private, non-profit educational organization for nannies and those who educate, place, employ and support professional in-home child care providers.
We believe the care of children in a home setting is a rewarding career and should be viewed as a true profession. INA has developed a Nanny Credential Exam to assess and to encourage the positive development of nanny related skills and comprehension.
We hope that this information will answer your questions. We also would like to extend a warm welcome to you and hope that you will become a member of our organization.
Questions to ask yourself:
- Do I really enjoy working with children?
- Do I have something to contribute to children's lives?
- Do I know the basics of child care?
- Do I understand that children have different needs at different ages?
- Can I handle an emergency?
- Am I flexible?
- Do I communicate well with adults and children?
- Do I have a sense of humor?
- Am I organized, and do I use good common sense?
INA Definitions For In-Home Child Care Providers
- Introduction
- What is a nanny?
- What does a nanny do?
- Who are nannies?
- What salary and benefits can a nanny expect?
- Do you have what it takes to be a nanny?
- What kind of nanny position is right for you?
- Is special training required?
You have probably seen or heard the word 'nanny' mentioned on television, in classified ads, or in magazine or newspaper articles. You may be looking for your first full time job or thinking about changing to a new career, and want to know more about in-home child care.
You may be attracted to being a nanny by the vision of working in a glamorous setting or enjoying world travel while spending your workday in the company of small children. You may have heard that nannies' salaries are quite competitive and that their benefits are very good. You might like the idea of moving to another state or even a foreign country.
If you are considering a career as a nanny, one thing is most important: you must genuinely enjoy children, be patient with children and look forward to making an important contribution to them and to their families.
A nanny is a child care specialist. A nanny's workplace is in a family's private home and his/her job is providing one-on-one attention and the best possible care for the family's children. The work may be full-time or part-time, and the nanny may or may not live with the family. The nanny's role is to provide support to the family by serving as a loving, nurturing and trustworthy companion to the children. A nanny tends to have special child care skills and a deep love and understanding of children. A nanny offers the family convenient, high quality care to meet each child's physical, emotional, social and intellectual needs.
A nanny is responsible for the complete care of their employer's children. Duties include tending to each child's basic physical needs, meal planning and preparation, laundry and clothing care, organization of play activities and outings, providing behavioral guidelines and disciplining when appropriate, intellectual stimulation, language activities and provide transportation when required. Housekeeping responsibilities are primarily child related. A nanny must be able to communicate well with both children and parents. Depending on the individual family, the nanny may be treated as an employee, a cherished friend or as a member of the family.
The International Nanny Association has adopted basic standards for nannies, specifically:
- A nanny must be at least 18 years of age.
- A nanny must have completed high school or the equivalent.
- A nanny must be in good general health, with proof of immunizations and, where required, negative TB test and/or chest x-ray.
Nannies are unique with varied characteristics and personalities. A nanny can be as young as 18, or more than 70 years old. Most are female, but some are male.
Although training and experience may vary, all qualified nannies share a genuine love and respect for children. It is every nanny's hope to find a family to work for that is respectful and supportive.
Most nannies seem to fall into three categories:
- Young, single persons with babysitting and/or daycare experience who are interested in working as a nanny for a year or two. These nannies may currently have a job that doesn't offer the same personal rewards that being a nanny and caring for children would offer or they may be taking a break from college or suspending a long-term commitment to another career. These nannies are usually active, energetic and open to sharing life with families different from their own.
- Older, more mature persons who may have raised a family of their own and who are drawn to in-home child care because they enjoyed caring for their own children. Education, background and life experiences are varied.
- Individuals who consider themselves child care professionals and specialists. Some nannies have degrees in early childhood education or elementary education or have a specialized nanny training certificate. Many have worked several years as nannies. Persons in this group consider being a nanny a lifetime career.
A growing number of nannies are beginning to seek temporary assignments and emergency care situations because they want to specialize or maybe they like the freedom of diversity of caring for many children.
What salary and benefits can a nanny expect?
We have found that pay and benefits for nannies vary widely according to geographic region and the nanny's qualifications and experience. Beginning salaries for live-in nannies just starting in the field usually range from $250 to $400 weekly. A trained nanny can expect a salary of from $350 to $1,000 weekly.
A nanny's work week usually includes 40 to 60 hours, with two days off each week. Nannies who do not live with the family and work part-time may be paid an hourly rate of $7 to $20, or earn a weekly salary for full-time of $350 to $1,000. When a nanny works more than the hours specified in the work agreement arranged with the family, the nanny generally is paid more money or receives extra time off. Many live-in nannies enjoy the benefits of free room and board, which usually includes a private room and often a private bath, two weeks of paid vacation each year, paid major holidays, often health insurance and the use of a car. Benefits for live-out nannies, other than room and board, are usually the same as for live-in nannies.
Just like any other employee, a nanny should expect to pay Social Security and Federal income tax on earnings. (A nanny's employer is also required by Federal law to pay the employer's portion of social Security tax on salary, and most states require payment of state unemployment taxes.)
Do you have what it takes to be a nanny?
Before you look for work as a nanny, consider this: Although some nannies work for the rich and famous and share their attractive lifestyles, most families who employ nannies do not fall into this category. While being a nanny is rewarding, it is also hard work, often for long hours at a time, without the support of co-workers, and many times, in new and different surroundings. The expectations and lifestyle of the family who employs you may be considerably different from your own family.
What kind of nanny position is right for you?
Finding the right position for you goes a long way in assuring job satisfaction. First, consider whether you want a full-time or part-time position. Second, determine if you are willing to be a live-in nanny, or if you prefer the privacy of living in your own home. You may be looking forward to living in a certain geographical area. You may feel that you would be most comfortable with a certain family dynamic such as a specific religious or ethnic background or a particular size family.
Other factors that should be considered are the ages of children you most enjoy working with, what household chores you are willing to do, and any personal preference of limitations you might have that would affect your accepting a position and being happy at your work. For example, if you are allergic to cats, obviously a cat-free household would be a priority.
Most families will expect a commitment from their nanny of at least one year. Ask yourself if the job offered is one you can hold long-term; you will be doing yourself, the children, and the family a big favor if you know what you are looking for before you accept a position.
The International Nanny Association strongly supports the need for specialized training for people who provide in-home child care. The reality is, however, that the tremendous demand for nannies in the United States and other countries has promoted a situation in which many nannies with no formal training are currently working in this field.
INA strongly encourages prospective nannies to obtain the special knowledge and skills required either before or while they assume the responsibility of caring for any child.
Many training programs exist for nannies in the United States, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand. They generally include classroom courses in child development, nutrition, family dynamics, safety, play activities, first aid and CPR, and may also involve interaction with young children under instructor supervision. These classes vary in length, extent of training and cost. For example, in Great Britain, home of the "classic nanny," training consists of 2,200 classroom and practicum hours over a two-year period. At the end of training, the British nanny takes a national examination to be certified as a nursery nurse.
In the U.S., Australia and New Zealand, nanny training ranges from six-week training programs to one-year certification programs, to college programs that offer Associate's or Bachelor's degrees.