Are you thinking of becoming a nanny? Find out if it is the right career for you.

What is a nanny?

Quite simply, a nanny is a child care specialist. He or she provides the best possible care for a family's children while working in the family's private home. Depending on the individual family, a nanny can be more than an employee, she can become a cherished friend or a member of the family.

A nanny should have special childcare skills and a sincere love for and understanding of children. They may work full-time or part-time, and may live-in or live-out of a family's home. They support the family by acting as a loving, nurturing and trustworthy companion to the children. They not only provide for the physical needs of the children, but for the emotional, social and intellectual needs as well.

What does a nanny do?
Nannies are responsible for the complete care of their employer's children. Included in this rather broad definition are:

Tending to each child's basic physical needs
Meal preparation
Laundry
Organization of play activities and outings
Setting behavioural guidelines and disciplining when appropriate
Intellectual stimulation
Language activities
Transportation when required
It is important to keep in mind that a nanny's housekeeping responsibilities are primarily child related (or that is to say that they should be). And as important as any of his or her other responsibilities, is the ability to communicate well with both children and parents.

Who can become a nanny?
It takes no specific type of individual to be a great nanny. Each nanny is unique with their own characteristics and personality. They can be as young as 18 or as mature as 70. Most nannies tend to be female but male nannies are also in high demand.

The International Nanny Association has outlined these basic standards for nannies:

Must be at least 18 years of age
Must have completed high school or the equivalent degree
Must be in good general health (i.e. proof of immunizations)
Why become a nanny?
If you love children and want to make an impact on their lives while earning a salary, a career as a nanny is a good choice. Historically there are three personality, or life situation, types that gravitate toward a nanny career and find a great deal of satisfaction in it:

Young, single persons with babysitting or daycare experience who are interested in working as a nanny for a year or so.
Older, more mature persons who may have raised a family of their own and are drawn to in-home childcare because they enjoyed caring for their own family.
Career nannies who consider themselves childcare professionals and specialists. They usually have degrees in early childhood education or a specialized nanny training certificate.

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