How to Be a Good Nanny, and What to Expect From a Childcare Job

Being a nanny is a rewarding and fulfilling career, allowing you to make a difference in the lives of children and their families. In the UK, there is a growing demand for skilled nannies who can provide quality childcare. In this blog post, we will explore the skills, qualities, and qualifications necessary to be a good nanny, as well as the various responsibilities, types of nannies, and how a nanny's role evolves as a child grows older.

Essential skills for nannies

To be a good nanny, you will need to possess several skills that will help you with organisation and managing effective relationships with children and their families. Many parents rely on nannies to keep their children safe and happy, and you will be expected to perform your duties to the effect that the parents can focus on other areas of their lives.

Possessing the following skills will not only make you good at your job, but will help you to make a real positive difference in the crucial stages of a child's life, and help their family to remain connected and thrive.

• Communication - nannies need to effectively communicate with children and their parents, ensuring that everyone is on the same page regarding the child's needs and progress. Being able to communicate and read different emotions displayed by a child under your care can help them to develop empathy, understand your directions, and enable them to feel comfortable with expressing themself
• Time management - juggling multiple tasks and children's schedules requires excellent time management skills. By being well-organised, you will be able to meet a child's needs and work effectively around the parents' requirements
• Adaptability - children's needs and interests change frequently; nannies must be able to adapt to these changes and adjust their approach accordingly
• Basic first aid and safety - nannies should be trained in basic first aid and be knowledgeable about child safety in the event that risk or hazard arises. Make sure you understand what to do in the event of an emergency, and that you can read signs of distress
• Problem-solving - unexpected situations may arise, and nannies need to be able to think on their feet and find solutions. This could be anything from coming up with creative activities or working around a child's specific and unique needs

Important qualities for nannies

As well as possessing skills, good nannies have the right temperament and traits that allow them to meet the challenges that nanny jobs can present, foster positive relationships with the client and their family members, and help the children feel safe, comfortable and happy.

• Patience - children can be challenging at times, and nannies must remain patient and understanding
• Compassion and empathy - a successful nanny will be caring, empathetic, and able to connect with children on an emotional level, understanding the things that make them emotional and able to help them resolve their conflicts
• Reliability - both parents and children need to trust that their nanny will be punctual and dependable
• Creativity - nannies should be resourceful in engaging children in educational and recreational activities, facilitating the means for child development in different areas of their lives
• Professionalism - a good nanny maintains a professional demeanour and respects the family's privacy and boundaries, while also being friendly and enthusiastic to encourage the children under their care

Nannies who have the right qualities will not only perform their jobs effectively but act as strong role models for the children under care, teaching them how to socialise and deal with problems.

Recommended qualifications for nannies

While there are no required qualifications for most nannies in the UK, those looking to work in a nanny position will benefit from the skills and experience that a professional course offers.

We recommend that prospective nannies consider undertaking the following courses:

• The Level 1 awards in Safeguarding and Introduction to Health, Social Care and Childrens' and Young People's Settings
• The Level 2 Certificate for the Children and Young People's Workforce
• The Level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualification

Beyond these recommended qualifications, having a good history with education will help you to impart knowledge and good practices to children in your care, and experience with first aid will allow you to prove support in the event that an accident or injury occurs.

Essential qualifications and certificates

Before you can do any work with children, you will need to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background check. This must be carried out by the authorities and will serve to prove that you have no history that could make you a risk to any children you work with.

Additionally, if you are intending on working with young children under the age of four, you will need to hold the following qualification:

• The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework (mandatory for educators)

It is not the responsibility of your employer to ensure that you are adequately qualified, experienced and hold the correct documentation - you will need to take the necessary steps to secure these, or you risk legal repercussions or you may struggle to meet your nanny job requirements. An expert nannying agency - such as Nannies Matter - can help you with this.

Nanny responsibilities

A nanny has a lot of responsibilities and these can change depending on the type of nanny job or the current situation they find themselves in. The following are examples of the most important responsibilities that you will have as a nanny, but more may arise as you are presented with unique challenges throughout your career.

• Child safety and well-being - ensuring the child is safe and healthy at all times
• Meal preparation and feeding - providing nutritious meals and assisting with feeding when necessary
• Assisting with educational and recreational activities - supporting learning and play, both indoors and outdoors
• Helping with personal hygiene - assisting with bathing, dressing, and other personal care tasks
• Light household chores - maintaining a clean and organised environment, including tidying play areas and doing children's laundry
• Transporting children to school and activities - driving children to school and picking them up on time, and making sure they can get to any activities outside of the home in good time and monitoring them while they are there

The different types of nannies

When you are deciding whether to work as a nanny, you should also consider what type of role you will take. You should consider your experience, skills, goals and needs when applying for any job, as each will bring its own challenges and benefits, and you will be better suited to some than others. The following nanny roles are those that Nannies Matter typically deals with:

Live-in nannies

Live-in nannies reside with the family and are responsible for childcare around the clock. This may allow them to develop stronger relationships with the family, but nannies in this situation will need to be conscious of their work-life balance and understand when and where to set boundaries.

Live-out nannies

Live-out nannies reside outside of the family home and instead provide childcare during set hours. This may be better for the nanny's privacy, but they will have to prepare to commute to and from work.

Nanny housekeepers

On top of their childcare responsibilities, nanny housekeepers are employed to maintain the house. This includes cleaning and tidying, and nanny housekeepers are usually qualified to perform these duties.

Nanny grooms

A nanny groom has the added responsibility of caring for any horses or ponies that the family has. Beyond the usual childcare responsibilities, nanny grooms must maintain the health and hygiene of these animals, ensuring that their living areas are well-kept and that they are exercised.

Evolving the role of a nanny as a child grows

Depending on the age of the children a nanny works with, their responsibilities may be different - their day-to-day activities certainly will be. When applying for nanny jobs, you should make sure you understand the different requirements that come as children develop and age. If you are a great nanny and you have been working with a family for a long time, you may get to witness this growth, and you will need to adapt accordingly.

A good nanny will adapt their role to foster a child's development in various aspects of life, including helping them build social skills, manage emotions, and achieve educational milestones. As the children grow older, a nanny's role may shift from primarily providing care to becoming a mentor and guide, helping children navigate the challenges of adolescence and supporting their growing independence.

Challenges nannies may face

Nannies, especially live-in nannies, may struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance and establish boundaries with the family. This can be done by managing expectations and boundaries with families; clear communication and understanding of each other's expectations are essential for a successful working relationship between the nanny and the family.

Some children may have challenging behaviours or require additional support due to special needs, which can make the nanny's job more demanding. In such cases, we recommend that you research courses and qualifications that will enable you to work with these vulnerable children and help them to develop as they go through life.

A good nanny will also stay current and informed with childcare best practices. Nannies must continually update their knowledge and skills to ensure they provide the best possible care and support for the children in their charge.

Being a good nanny requires a combination of essential skills, qualities, and qualifications. The role of a nanny is dynamic and evolves as the child grows, requiring adaptability and a commitment to fostering the child's development. Despite the challenges they may face, nannies play a crucial role in the lives of the children and families they serve, making it a rewarding and fulfilling career choice for those who are passionate about childcare.

If you are looking to start work as a nanny, speak to the experts at Nannies Matter today. We can help you to identify and prepare for your desired role, and find the right job for you. Call us today on 0800 121 4881, or fill out an online contact form and we will return your call at a time suitable for you.