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Become a nanny

Do you love children and have a genuine interest in their well-being, do you have lots of energy and patience, are you adaptable and flexible, creative and resourceful? Then you might be thinking about becoming a nanny.

Read the following frequently asked questions to find out more about becoming a nanny.

What is a nanny?

A nanny is more than a babysitter. As one nanny, Mary Anne, put it, "My job encompasses the role of a counselor, dietitian, teacher, friend, parent, role model, and coach."

Nannies are professional childcare specialists who are responsible for providing children with one-on-one care, taking care of their basic needs, teaching and guiding them. The work is physically and emotionally exhausting, but it is very rewarding.

The International Nanny Association defines a nanny as "one employed by the family on either a live-in or live-out basis to undertake all tasks related to the care of children. Duties are generally restricted to childcare and the domestic tasks related to childcare. May or may not have had any formal training, though often has a good deal of actual experience."

What are a nannies duties?

A nanny is responsible for the social, emotional, and intellectual development of the children in their care. Duties of a nanny include, but are not limited to, supervising the children, providing them with a safe environment in which to develop, preparing nutritionally balanced meals and snacks, maintaining good communication with the parents, working with children on areas such as potty training, language development, social manners, homework and to carry out housekeeping chores as effected by the children.

Do I need any qualifications or training to become a nanny?

Although there is no formal training necessary to become a nanny, any childcare qualification, including FETAC childcare certificates, Nursery and Montessori diplomas or other childcare certificates in child psychology, early childcare education or real life experience dealing with children would be extremely helpful. Many nannies have taken courses in first aid, CPR, childcare and cooking to help prepare them for their duties.
Specialized skills, such as lifeguard training or proficiency in a musical instrument or a foreign language, may also make you more attractive to employers.

What is a nannies salary?

Nannies earn between €10 & €12 per hour or between €400 & €650 per week full time.

It's hard to say exactly how much a nanny salary should be, because each family has different needs, qualification and experience requirements. Apart from these basic differences, there are also many other variables that may affect and determine a nannies salary. These may include transportation costs, taxes, costs of alternative childcare options, the current costs of living and economic climate.

How do I find a nanny job?

It is a good idea to register with reputable nanny agencies who specialize in nanny placements. Contact Careway Childcare Agency to register for exciting nanny jobs in Dublin and Ireland.

Obtain written letters of recommendation from your references, both previous employers, as well as teachers, clergy, and long time adult acquaintances. Have copies of your recent childcare certificates available. If your certification has expired, get into a class to update them. Respond to agencies/families quickly. Be organized, and have your questions all lined up in advance.

You will have to undergo a background check, but this will work in your favour because you will be pre-screened for any prospective family seeking a nanny.

Nanny jobs may be full-time or part-time, live-in or live-out and may involve nights and weekends. Make sure that you thoroughly understand what is expected of you. You will be providing personalized care that needs to be consistent with the child rearing philosophies of the parents.
Most families request that a candidate make a minimum commitment of one year to the nanny position. This is to ensure that their children have continuity in their childcare.

How do I register with your agency?

• Contact us and fill out our application forms.
• You will be interviewed in person or over the phone by a Careway consultant, depending on your location.
• We will verify your personal references and employment history.
• We will then be able to discuss one or more current nanny vacancies available. If you are interested in a vacancy we will forward your details on to the family. The family will be provided with your registration forms and with the results of your background checks.
• The family may then decide to interview you. This may be in person or over the phone. At this time you should be prepared to ask them about their position, to describe themselves and their children, and general child rearing philosophies. It is very important that there is a good personality match between the nanny and family.
• We can then help negotiate your work agreement and contract. We will help you understand salary conditions, benefits, and spell out all terms of employment. Don't be afraid to ask us any questions or raise any concerns at this stage.
• We will check in with you after the first week or two of employment, and again after the first month. If you are having any problems, you should let us know so they can help you resolve issues. We can also provide you a list of other area nannies that we have placed so that you can make some new friends.

Hope this helps!

by the Careway team