Tag: nanny job

Categories
For Nannies

8 Important Steps to Becoming a Professional Nanny

First impressions are a BIG deal, especially when it comes to your job or career. Whether you are sending a simple email or showing up on a client’s doorstep for the first time, it is extremely important to be aware of how you are presenting yourself. At The Nanny Solution we have some great tips for our nannies on how to make sure you are representing yourself and the agency in a professional and positive manner.

  • Make sure that your email address is professional! This is something a lot of people don’t put much thought into, but when you are sending a professional email and your email address is something like “fluffybutterflies01@….” do you really think that you will be taken seriously? A good rule of thumb to stick to is to use your full name as your email address.
  • Clean up your social media pages. In today’s digital world, people will Google search you! You don’t want an employer or professional contact being able to see directly into your personal life, so make sure your privacy settings on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Are set strictly so that you can maintain your own personal privacy.
  • When sending a work related email, always make sure you have a greeting, use correct spelling and grammar and speak professionally. It makes a big difference to start your emails with a “Hello, I hope you are having a nice day so far” and using the person’s name you are contacting. Never use slang in a work related email and always remember to proof read your email before sending it. Sending an email with misspellings and grammar mistakes comes across as careless and unprofessional. Unsure? Read your email aloud before sending, make sure that is sounds professional.
  • Be on Time! At The Nanny Solution we always stress: Punctuality is key! Arriving late and frantic will make the wrong impression, being prepared and on time is a huge component of being taken seriously in the professional world. We cannot stress this enough!
  • Be Positive! Nobody likes a “Negative Nelly”, so be conscious of the things that you say. If you want to be treated with consideration and respect, it starts with you. Treat others with respect and you will be respected. Don’t bad mouth co-workers or bosses; it just ends up making you look bad. Remember the saying, “If you can’t say something nice, choose not to say anything at all.”
  • Honesty and Communication. Be honest, even if you made a mistake, it’s ok to admit it. People are much more likely to forgive and respect you for being honest than being deceitful. It shows character to admit when you were wrong and it helps to build trust. Figure out what your communication style is and practice! Are you shy and get nervous talking face to face? Acknowledge that about yourself and practice. Try talking in front of the mirror to get better at your speaking skills. And remember, it is ok to be honest and say “I am just a bit nervous.” Being honest and proactive is definitely professional.
  • Dress professionally. In the line of nanny work, it is important to be presentable and also comfortable. Your appearance is truly the first impression you make! When going for any interview, it’s usually a standard rule of thumb not to wear jeans or flip-flops. Dress in a way that says, “I’m here to impress you and show you that I am professional and take myself seriously”, people will respond and treat you in the same way that you view and present yourself. Want to be treated professionally? Dressing like a professional is a good place to start.
  • Keep conversations work appropriate. This is definitely an important area when it comes to being a nanny. Working in someone’s home is extremely personal! Maintaining a boundary of professionalism is key. Though you may form friendships with parents and bonds with the children, remember to always remain aware that this is your job and you are in fact in a place of business, so keep you conversations appropriate for the work place.

Looking for a nanny job? Apply Today!

Categories
For Nannies

How to Get a Nanny Job with The Nanny Solution

 

The Nanny Solution is known for providing trust-worthy, high-end childcare. As such, we have the most rigorous screening process in the industry — with only 10% of applicants making it through to Round 2. If you are interested in applying for a nanny job and having a nanny interview through our agency, we highly recommend reviewing these useful tips to help you stand out from all the other qualified candidates. 

Read the job postings thoroughly

Before you apply for a position, be sure to read the job description thoroughly and make sure you have the specific skills and qualifications required for the position (e.g., driving, Early Childhood Education, etc.). The more information you provide, the better.

Be open to other positions

You may have your heart set on one specific job, but it is important to keep an open mind and pursue other opportunities as well. We receive numerous applications for each position, and each family is at different stages of the interview process, so your odds of being placed with a family increase if you are open to applying for multiple positions. You never know, your second or third choice may end up being the family you fall in love with!

Own your strengths and skills

What makes you exceptional? When applying for a Nanny position, it is important to be honest, but there’s no need to be modest. Let us know about all of your childcare experience, education, and other qualifications. What are your special skills? What are your passions? These are the things that will make you stand out against other candidates.

Write an outstanding résumé

Your résumé gives us our first glimpse into who you are as a professional Nanny. It helps us determine whether to consider you for the position and invite you to an interview or not. Please make sure your résumé is up to date and has all of your childcare experience listed, including the ages of the children you worked with, duties, and employment dates (please note that we recognize not only nannying, but also babysitting, volunteering, coaching, tutoring, teaching, etc., as all are relevant childcare experiences). You can also use this sample résumé for reference.

Make your social media accounts private

Being a professional Nanny means ensuring that your online social media presence is professional as well. As it is becoming increasingly common for families to Google their Nannies before their arrival, it is always a good idea to know ahead of time what is out there for them to find. Please take the time to make your social media accounts (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) private. You want families to consider you for the position based on your childcare abilities, not based on the party you attended or the swimsuit you wore last summer. 

Get your documents in order

After your interview with The Nanny Solution, if we are interested in working with you, you will be asked to provide additional information about yourself and your experience. Find our list of required documents HERE.

In preparation, take a moment to watch our video with 5 Tips for Your Nanny Video Interview. We also recommend that you take a look at our guide: 8 Tips for a Successful Video Interview.

Ready to apply with The Nanny Solution? Start Here

Categories
For Nannies

Sick and Tired of the Monday Morning Mess? Nanny Tips

You leave work on Friday with the house clean. You have cleaned up the dishes from the kids lunches, tidied up the playroom and put away the crafts. Monday morning rolls around and you come into a house that looks like a bomb went off. How do you deal with it? Silent resentment? Complain to the parents again? Let’s go over some tips to help you keep your sanity.

Categories
For Parents

Integrating a New Nanny

 

Hiring a Nanny and getting them acquainted and comfortable with your family and home no small task! Each family does things a little differently, and no matter how many years of experience the Nanny has, it will take them some time to get familiar with a new family. Fortunately, there are some simple ways you can help make the on-boarding process as easy and effective as possible.

Family Manual

A family manual is a binder or e-document with everything the Nanny needs to know about working with your family. It includes important information such as emergency contacts, medical needs and allergies, dietary information, house rules, the family’s schedule, parenting approaches, and so on. Not only is a family manual helpful when the Nanny is first starting out, it is something they can refer back to at any time.

Written notes and lists

Nannies may choose to carry a notebook around with them to record important information shared with them during their first few shifts. They may also continue to use one to write down to-do lists, grocery lists, and other noteworthy items from the day. We strongly recommend that families do the same.

Schedule

Similarly, it is helpful to have a daily and/or weekly schedule for the Nanny to follow as well. The schedule should outline the Nanny’s tasks and responsibilities, as well as scheduled nap times, activities, appointments, etc.

Shared calendar

Having a shared calendar is also a useful tool, as it allows busy families to keep track of activities and appointments, vacations, and the Nanny’s work schedule. You may choose to have a wall calendar visible somewhere in the house or to share an online calendar, such as Google Calendar or iCalendar.

Communication book

We always recommend that families use a book or diary (one day per page style) to communicate with the Nanny. A communication book is where everyone can record and relay day-to-day information, such as how the child napped, diaper changes, upcoming appointments for the children, parents, and Nanny (e.g., “I have a concert on Wednesday evening, so I must leave no later than 6 PM”, “Spirit Day at school”, “I have an early meeting on Tuesday, so you will have to arrive at 8 AM”).

Shadowing

It can be very useful to have a “shadow day” with a new Nanny, where they spend a day with one of the parents or another caregiver (such as a relief Nanny or a previous Nanny whose contract is ending). This gives the Nanny an opportunity to get acquainted with the home, experience a typical day with the children, and learn about details that may otherwise be overlooked.

Trial shifts

We also highly recommend having the Nanny do a trial shift with your family to ensure that it is a good fit. This is especially important if the initial interview took place virtually and you haven’t had a chance to meet the Nanny in person yet. It’s hard to get a true sense of someone you’ve only ever met through a computer screen. A trial shift gives both your family and the Nanny the opportunity to assess whether the relationship will work or not before making a commitment.

Categories
COVID For Nannies

For Nannies: Practicing Gratitude During the Pandemic

 

These days, it’s easy to get caught in a spiral of negative thoughts. With all that’s going on in the world — a global pandemic, the tense political climate, racially-based violence, increased financial stress, a general feeling of uncertainty, we could go on and on — it’s hard to feel optimistic. That’s why now, more than ever, it’s important for us to practice gratitude and recognize the silver linings hiding in those big, dark clouds. Whether you simply have moments of silent reflection to think about the things that you are grateful for or you actively write in a gratitude journal each day, practising gratitude can be both cathartic and healing. We have put together a list of a few things that Nannies have to be grateful for to help you get started.

Your own health

Be grateful that you are strong and in good health. Say “thank you” to your body for all it does and all it has gone through over the years.

Family and friends

Whether they live in the same household as us or we’ve only seen them over Zoom in the past 8 months, our family and friends are what’s really getting us through this. Their ongoing support, words of encouragement, shoulders to cry on, and moments of laughter are something to be grateful for.

Your Nanny family

Many families are also facing financial hardships and uncertainty, yet they still see the value in having you on as their Nanny. Have gratitude for the parents for continuing to employ you during this time when so many others have lost their source of income. Thank the little ones as well — for the joy, wonder, and curiosity they continue to bring into your life.

The gift of time

Without all of the usual social obligations and everyday responsibilities, many of us have more time on our hands than ever before. We are able to do things that we wouldn’t normally have time for — organizing, DIY projects, hobbies, reading, learning new skills, catching up on our Netflix watch list, and so on. Sometimes it may feel like all we have is time, but when we reflect on the alternative, we realize that this is actually something to be thankful for.

Less social pressure

Homebodies rejoice! Is there a better excuse to decline a social invitation than a global pandemic? We don’t think so. Your introverted side is grateful for the opportunity to recharge and engage in some self-care.

Self-reflection

These past 8 months have given us the time to sit back and really figure out what’s important in life. We’ve gained insight and clarity, allowing our priorities to shift. If you’re finding that you’re not sweating the small stuff as much as you did before, be grateful for this increased time for self-reflection.

Creativity

The societal changes and restrictions we’ve had to adapt to these past few months have forced us to get creative and find new ways of doing things. Have gratitude for our collective creativity and imagination!

The benefits for our planet

The earth says “thank you” and we should feel grateful too. Less emissions means we’re reducing our global carbon footprint, making the air cleaner for all. In some parts of the world, coral reefs are actually starting to grow again. Venice’s waterways are cleaner than they’ve been in decades. Our planet is slowly starting to heal and that is something to be incredibly thankful for!

Solidarity

The message everywhere is “we’re all in this together”. People are coming together to help each other out, we’re showing appreciation for our essential workers, and we’re finding that we are stronger and our voices are louder when we stand together. Have gratitude for the solidarity that we are demonstrating.

The Nanny Solution by Nannies on Call team is grateful for YOU, our wonderful Nannies who have stood by us through these difficult times. We truly wouldn’t be here today without you. Thank you!