Here’s What It Takes To Be A Good Nanny

In 2019, about 826K people were childcare workers in the United States based on Data USA’s statistics.

Most of them began working as a nanny since they were sixteen, while others opted to make nannying their full-time job after university. (Seidel, 2016)

But, unlike the misconceptions on nannying - being a nanny isn’t the most undemanding job.

Instead, it’s the other way around.

As a nanny, you have to be extremely patient with kids and learn how to deal with them properly whenever they’re angry, happy, or sad.

With the demands of being a full-time nanny, I’m sure you’re wondering what other qualities make a good nanny.

That’s why this article will take a deeper look into the top qualities that make someone a good nanny.

Additionally, this blog will help you understand more the services these nannies can offer to every family.

And in case you’re planning to hire a nanny, we’ve compiled the basic nanny skills you should seek in your future childcarer.

We also made sure to uncover some nanny strengths and weaknesses you can note as you search for your next nanny.

And if you’re a nanny desiring to become a better childcarer, we have here some handy tips you can use as you learn how to be a good nanny.

Basic Nanny Skills Your Nanny Must Have

Based on Market Watch’s report, about one-third of American families use 20% of their earnings to pay for nanny services. (Malito, 2017)

That’s why it’s understandable if families want to look for the perfect nanny for their children because of the costs that come with it.

So, to help you with your search, we’ve compiled the basic nanny skills your future nanny should have.

Basic Nanny Skill #1: Creative

Did you know having a creative nanny can improve your child’s ability to concentrate well and solve problems?

Maryville University’s findings prove how creativity and arts are helpful to every child’s development.

The study confirmed how creativity helps children reflect, wonder, and ask.

These improvements lead to better cognitive functions and problem-solving skills in the long run. (Maryville University, n.d.)

A creative nanny also means they can create activities that aren’t boring or repetitive. This scenario would make the kid always excited about their daily schedule.

Don’t forget to ask your potential nanny how creative she can handle your child’s activities.

Basic Nanny Skill #2: Have Compassion And Kindness

Since a nanny taking care of a child is their responsibility - the second essential nanny skill always has compassion and kindness.

An article from Greater Good in Education, Berkeley emphasized showing kindness and compassion towards a child can create an empathetic kid.

With that, your child won’t have a hard time controlling their emotions and can improve their perspectives quickly in the long run.

Having compassion in your child’s surroundings can also help them grow as a considerate person who can adapt to different situations. (GGIE Berkeley, 2019)

Basic Nanny Skill #3: Proactive and Responsible

Another essential nanny skill your childcarer should own is a proactive and responsible attitude.

Your nanny can instantly solve and manage unforeseen circumstances like sudden kid’s tantrums and anger issues with this skill on hand.

A proactive nanny will also be advantageous for working parents because they don’t have to rely on you in controlling these situations.

Instead, they’ll do what they can to solve the problem by themselves as they take responsibility for those matters.

Basic Nanny Skill #4: Fun and Enthusiastic

Aside from knowing how to handle unexpected situations, nannies must be fun and enthusiastic when dealing with kids.

Simply because children are naturally energetic, to catch up with this tremendous amount of energy quickly.

Having an enthusiastic attitude can also keep your kids happily engaged and active at the same time.

So, it’s a must to ask your potential nanny how fun she is and enthusiastic when dealing with kids.

Basic Nanny Skill #5: Easy To Get Along With

Having a nanny who is easy to get along with is vital because it can help your child quickly adapt to their childcarer being around.

This fact means you won’t have to deal with awkward situations such as making your kid comfortable with the nanny because they can do it themselves.

Additionally, as your nanny takes care of your kid, they can create a bond built with comfort and trust.

With these, your child won’t have a hard time expressing themselves with their nanny, making their interactions better.

The Child Mind Institute also stated a comfortable and calm nanny could lessen a child’s meltdown.

This source of comfort reassures the kid that their childcarer understands them. (Miller, 2020)

Basic Nanny Skill #6: A Great Teacher

In most cases, parents also pay nannies to tutor their kids.

This scenario requires a nanny to be a great teacher, from whom the child would learn their lessons efficiently and effectively.

An engaging and fun teaching strategy can also help a kid enjoy learning.

This situation is possible with nannies who have exceptional teaching skills. (Marsh, 2014)

That’s why parents must ask and check the childcarer’s teaching skills to avoid any problem in the future.

Basic Nanny Skill #7: On Point Communications and Interpersonal Skills

Communication skills are reliable in nannying.

With this skill, they can help improve their relationships with the family they're working for.

Aside from communicating well with the children, nannies should also have on-point communications skills for different scenarios.

With excellent interpersonal skills, a nanny can inform you of everything happening to your child.

Additionally, Balance Careers reported nannies with interpersonal skills could read what a kid feels. They can ask the child what’s wrong without making them feel uncomfortable.

In the end, a nanny with on-point communications skills can benefit both parents and children. Since child carers would easily manage all kid moments and then inform the parents about them afterward. (McKay, 2019)

Basic Nanny Skill #8: Naturally Nurturing

Lastly, the most vital nanny skill is their naturally nurturing personality.

Whether it is via adequately caring for the kids or doing well with their household work — parents usually expect nannies to nurture their children and their home.

They also must know how to give love to children no matter the circumstance is genuine.

Hence patience and a positive attitude usually come with the nurturing personality of a nanny.

Moreover, their nurturing side helps nannies connect better with the children, wherein they can sense when to tend to your kid’s needs.

Top Qualities Of A Good Nanny: Check These Nanny Strengths And Weaknesses

After confirming if your potential nanny has the basic nanny skills she must have, you can now ask her about her nanny’s strengths and weaknesses.

When you discuss this question with her, you’ll discover her top qualities as a nanny. Also, you can foresee what struggles she can potentially have in the future.

I bet you’re curious about the usual nanny strengths and weaknesses they have.

That’s why here are the most common qualities that make a good nanny and some struggles they usually encounter with their job.

Strengths: Top Qualities Of A Good Nanny

• They know how to manage different situations.

• They have unconditional love for children.

• Nannies are flexible with their time.

• Nannies are trustworthy individuals.

• Nannies are exceptional teachers.

• Nannies are initiative by nature.

Weaknesses: Struggles Most Nannies Have

• Personal problems can affect how they work.

• An additional pile of duties can sometimes overwhelm them

• Getting stressed while nannying can lead to exhaustion and sicknesses.

Tips On How To Be A Good Nanny

We understand how nannying isn’t the most straightforward job. That’s why we made sure to add some tips on how to be a good nanny. With these, employees can take a grasp of what their future employers would want from them. So, if you’re someone who wants to give nannying a try, stay with us and learn through.

Tip #1 On How To Be A Good Nanny: Patience

The first tip on how to be a good nanny lies with your patience. Since you’re handling children, your patience must be exceptional.

You shouldn’t take things personally and always seek the best for the kid no matter what happens.

Tip #2 On How To Be A Good Nanny: Compromise

Since nannying requires most of your time, you should know how to compromise. Whether it’s your time with your family or your personal space, you need to learn to compromise your usual routine to cater to your employers’ needs.

Tip #3 On How To Be A Good Nanny: Multitask

Another tip for new nannies is to learn how to multitask. In most cases, an employer wants you to care for their children and do some household work.

This scenario means you should multitask, especially when a kid experiences a meltdown as you clean. You must tend to the kid immediately without forgetting your chores.

Tip #4 On How To Be A Good Nanny: Enjoy

When nannying, it’s inevitable for you to avoid stress. That’s why to lighten your load, try to enjoy your job by appreciating the positive side of it.

For example, as a nanny, you can experience taking care of a child as if they’re your own.

With this in mind, you can prep yourself for the time when you want to have a kid and already have an idea of how to handle unforeseen situations.

At Karen’s Nanny Agency, We Guarantee All Our Childcarers Have The Basic Nanny Skills They Need To Be A Good Nanny

To sum it up, to consider someone a good nanny, they must have the basic nanny skills, top qualities of a nanny and quickly apply our tips above.

Hence, they should be creative, compassionate, kind, proactive, responsible, fun, enthusiastic...

...easy to get along with, great at teaching, communicating, and are nurturing.

Nannies should know how to manage different circumstances while loving the children unconditionally. They’re also usually trustworthy and excellent teachers.

Nannies must also have flexible schedules and are initiative in nature to tend to every kid’s needs.

In the end, if you want to find the best nannies in Chicago, Karen’s Nanny Agency got your back.

We have nannies who have these basic nanny skills and top qualities you can find in a good nanny. So, feel free to contact them at (312) 868-0711 for high-quality nanny services 24/7.

References:

Children Board, Camden Safeguarding. “Keeping Children Safe, Choosing The Right Nanny.” The National Childminding Association, n.d. Choosing the Right Nanny PDF

Deloitte. “Childcare Workers.” Data USA, n.d., www.datausa.io/profile/soc/childcare-workers

Malito, Alessandra. “One-Third of American Families Spend 20% of Their Income on Child Care.” MarketWatch, 19 July 2017, www.marketwatch.com/story/one-third-of-american-families-spend-20-of-their-income-on-child-care-2017-07-18

Maryville University, “Creativity for Kids: Benefits & amp; Tips for Nurturing an Innovative Mind.” Maryville Online, n.d., online.maryville.edu/online-bachelors-degrees/psychology/creativity-for-kids-benefits-tips-for-nurturing-an-innovative-mind/

Miller, Caroline. “How to Handle Tantrums and Meltdowns.” Child Mind Institute, 3 Dec. 2020, www.childmind.org/article/how-to-handle-tantrums-and-meltdowns

Ruesink, Megan. “9 Nanny Skills That Will Have Families Fighting Over You.” Rasmussen University, 20 July 2015, www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/blog/nanny-skills-that-will-have-families-fighting-for-you