What Is A Nanny?
An Answer From A Professional Nanny
The simple answer is that a Nanny is a professional employed by parents to provide custom and personalized childcare for children of one family. They are more involved in children’s lives than babysitters, and can often give parents useful advice on young children’s socio-emotional, physical and cognitive development.
Most Nannies are trained in child development, and have had experience working with children by babysitting, working in child-related jobs, volunteering with schools and mentoring, or working in childcare centers. Many nannies have an educational background in childcare or similar fields as well.
While the specific job description of a nanny is determined between a family and the professional they hire, some of the common roles and duties of a nanny include:
Providing Quality Care: a supervised, well-rounded day for the child(ren) that includes age appropriate activities, adequate social interactions with other children, and time for engaging and independent play in a kid-centric environment.
Communication: positive and respectful communication style to strengthen attachment and develop language skills and vocabulary.
Discipline and Guidance: maintain age appropriate boundaries and expectations that are consistent and align with the family’s values and beliefs, while supporting the parents’ discipline philosophy. Also ensuring that health and safety protocols are being followed.
Hands-On Care: provide the generally accepted standards of responsive care in reference to diapering or toileting, personal hygiene, and dress.
Child-Related Responsibilities: children’s laundry, dishes, and general tidying or supervised clean up of child’s areas.
Working as a team member: maintains clear communication with employing family to ensure the best quality care of charges.
It is important to know that duties vary and reflect both the needs of the family and the compensation being offered for the position. Some Nannies accomplish much more in their day related to household management, while others main focus is the schedule and day of their charge(s).
Are you a Nanny or looking to employ one? Look out for future posts about all the things you need to know to employ and have a positive working relationship with you Nanny.