Nanny Resume Examples

Nanny Duties and Responsibilities

While a nanny's specific responsibilities can vary greatly from day to day, most share several core duties:

Maintain a Safe and Positive Environment The primary duty of a nanny is to help families and children by maintaining a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. Most nannies begin working with families when their child is a newborn, so nannies ensure that children develop socially, emotionally, and behaviorally by creating a safe, supportive environment through activities, positive encouragement, and establishment of rules and expectations.

Bathe and Dress Children Nannies also assist with everyday tasks around the house, such as bathing and dressing children. For newborns and infants, this tends to involve a special tub or insert, while for older children bath time may involve more playing and a greater degree of independence. Nannies also decide on outfits and dress children based on the day's activities and weather, making sure they're not too hot or cold.

Prepare and Serve Meals to Children In most cases, nannies also prepare and serve meals to children throughout the day. For infants and newborns, this can include heating bottles, while for older children this can involve providing baby food or fully cooked meals throughout the day. While preparing meals, nannies keep an eye on temperature and ingredients to keep children safe.

Manage Children's Health While caring for children, nannies also manage their health and administer medication. A nanny may notice a change in a child's health or behavior and alert their parents, for example, or accompany the child to a doctor's appointment if their parents need extra help. Nannies may also treat scrapes and cuts or take care of children when they are feeling ill.

Perform Housekeeping Tasks Many nannies also perform basic housekeeping tasks throughout the day, whether they live with a family or if the child stays with them. These tasks generally include cleaning up dishes after meals, picking up toys and objects from play areas, and cleaning clothing and linens. Additionally, the nanny may clean the house while the child is sleeping to prevent the buildup of debris or to address messes.

Transport Children to and from Appointments and Activities Finally, nannies transport children to appointments and activities such as playdates. Nannies tend to have driver's licenses and their own vehicles (or use of the family's vehicle) and follow proper safety procedures and car seat usage guidelines to safely transport children. For shorter distances, nannies may place children in strollers or walk with them if they are old enough.

Nanny Skills and Qualifications

• Childcare skills - nannies should be very familiar with childcare basics such as feeding, bathing, and dressing children, as well as managing behavior and teaching skills and manners
• First aid skills - first aid skills are also helpful in this role, as nannies may need to treat injuries or take care of children when they are sick. Nannies also may need to administer medication
• Patience and compassion - nannies should possess a great deal of patience and compassion, especially when dealing with children who are throwing tantrums or behaving badly
• Punctuality and reliability - because nannies often need to bring children to appointments and activities and work with parents' schedules, they should be reliable and punctual
• Attention to detail - nannies should be highly attentive to make sure that the children in their care remain safe at all times, monitor behavior and activities, and provide information to parents
• Organization skills - nannies also need to be very organized, since they may be in charge of determining a child's entire day and coming up with schedules and activities to encourage social and behavioral growth

Nanny Education and Training

Nanny Salary and Outlook

Helpful Resources

We searched the web and found many resources if you'd like to learn more about working as a nanny:

International Nanny Association - the INA is a professional organization for nannies that provides continuing education and professional development materials and certification examinations

The Best Nanny Handbook: The Ultimate Guide for Nannies - author Emma Kensington focuses on the day-to-day responsibilities of a nanny as well as professional considerations such as salaries and taxes

Newborn Care Specialist Association - nannies who wish to focus on caring for newborns and infants can achieve certification through the NCSA and access training materials and a professional network

The Nanny Textbook: The Professional Nanny Guide to Child Care - read this in-depth guidebook to learn basic and advanced childcare techniques for nannies working with children of any age