Developing Your Nanny Skills: What It Takes to Excel in Childcare

Being a nanny is a rewarding and fulfilling career, allowing you to make a difference in the lives of children and their families. In the UK, there is a growing demand for skilled nannies who can provide quality childcare. In this guide, we will explore the skills, qualities and qualifications necessary to be a good nanny. We will also look at the different types of nanny roles there are, their different responsibilities and how a nanny's role evolves as a child grows older.

Essential Nannying Skills

To be a good nanny, you will need to possess several skills that will help you with organisation and managing effective relationships with children and their families. Many parents rely on nannies to keep their children safe and happy, and you will be expected to perform your duties so that the parents can focus on other areas of their lives.

Possessing the following skills will not only make you good at your job, but will help you to make a positive difference in the crucial stages of a child's development:

• Communication: nannies need to effectively communicate with both children and their parents, making sure that everyone is on the same page regarding the child's needs and progress. Being able to communicate and read different emotions displayed by a child under your care can help them to develop empathy, understand your directions and ultimately feel comfortable with expressing themselves.
• Time management: juggling multiple tasks and children's schedules requires excellent time management skills. By being well organised, you will be able to meet a child's needs and work effectively around the parents' requirements.
• Adaptability: children's needs and interests change frequently. Nannies must be able to adapt to these changes and adjust their approach accordingly.
• Basic first aid and safety: nannies should hold basic first aid training and be knowledgeable about child safety in the event that risk or hazard arises. Make sure you understand what to do in the event of an emergency, and that you can read signs of distress.
• Problem-solving: unexpected situations may arise, and nannies need to be able to remain calm, think on their feet and find solutions. This could be anything from coming up with creative activities or working around a child's specific and unique needs.

Developing these skills will not only make your role more manageable but will also allow you to provide the best possible care for the children you look after. They will help you to build strong relationships with both children and parents while creating a safe and nurturing environment.

Important Qualities for Nannies

As well as possessing the above skills, good nannies have the following temperament and traits that allow them to meet the challenges that nanny jobs can present:

• Patience: children can be challenging at times, and nannies must remain patient and understanding no matter the situation.
• Compassion and empathy: a successful nanny is caring, empathetic and able to connect with children on an emotional level. They will understand the triggers that make each child angry and frustrated and be able to help them resolve their conflicts.
• Reliability: both parents and children need to trust that their nanny will be punctual and dependable at all times.
• Creativity: nannies should be resourceful in engaging a child’s social development through educational and recreational activities. They should always be looking to facilitate the means for child development in different areas of their lives.
• Professionalism: a good nanny maintains a professional demeanour and respects the family's privacy and boundaries, while also being friendly and enthusiastic to encourage and inspire the children under their care.

Nannies who have the right qualities will not only perform their jobs effectively but act as strong role models for the children under their care. You will be the role model that teaches them how to socialise and deal with problems.

Recommended Qualifications for Nannies

While there are no required formal qualifications for most nanny roles in the UK, those looking to work in a full-time nanny position will benefit from the skills and experience that a professional course offers.

We recommend that prospective nannies consider undertaking the following courses:

• The Level 1 awards in Safeguarding and Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People's Settings
• The Level 2 Certificate for the Children and Young People's Workforce
• The Level 2 Early Years Practitioner qualification

Beyond these recommended qualifications, having a good history with education will help you to impart knowledge and good practices to children in your care. Experience with first aid, ideally including CPR certification, will also allow you to provide support in the event that an accident or injury occurs.

Essential Qualifications and Certificates

Before you can do any work with children, you will need to pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background check. Your nanny agency will carry this out for you. Some, like Nannies Matter, will provide you with a DBS check free of charge. This will serve to prove that you have no history that could make you a risk to any children you work with.

Additionally, if you are intending to work  with young children under the age of four, you will need to hold the following qualification:

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework (mandatory for educators)

It is not the responsibility of your employer to ensure that you are adequately qualified, experienced and hold the correct documentation. You will need to take the necessary steps to secure these, or you may struggle to meet your nanny job requirements. An expert nannying agency - such as Nannies Matter - can help you with this.

Nanny Responsibilities

A nanny has a lot of responsibilities and these can change depending on the type of nanny job or the current situation they find themselves in. The following are examples of the most important responsibilities that you will have as a nanny:

• Child safety and well-being: you must make sure all children under your care are safe and healthy at all times.
• Preparing meals and feeding: in particular, preparing healthy and nutritious meals and assisting with feeding when necessary.
• Assisting with educational and recreational activities: supporting learning and play, both indoors and outdoors.
• Helping with personal hygiene: assisting with bathing, dressing and other personal care tasks.
• Light household chores: maintaining a clean and organised environment, including tidying play areas and doing children's laundry.
• Transporting children to school and activities: driving children to school and picking them up on time. You will also need to take them to any activities outside of the home in good time, and monitor them while they are there.

The Different Types of Nannies

When you are deciding whether to work as a nanny, you should also consider what type of role you will take. You should consider your experience, skills, goals and needs when applying for any job, as each will bring its own challenges and benefits. You will likely be better suited to some than others. The following nanny roles are those that Nannies Matter typically deals with:

Live-in nannies

Live-in nannies reside with the family and are responsible for childcare around the clock. This may allow them to develop stronger relationships with the family, but nannies in this situation will need to be conscious of their work-life balance and understand when and where to set boundaries.

Live-out nannies

Live-out nannies reside outside of the family home and instead provide childcare during set hours. This may be better for your privacy, but you will have to prepare to commute to and from work.

Nanny housekeepers

On top of their childcare responsibilities, nanny housekeepers are employed to maintain the house. This includes cleaning and tidying, and nanny housekeepers usually have qualifications and experience in these areas.

Nanny grooms

A nanny groom has the added responsibility of caring for any horses or ponies that the family has. Beyond the usual childcare responsibilities, nanny grooms must maintain the health and hygiene of these animals, making sure that their living areas are well-kept and that they are exercised.

Evolving the Role of a Nanny as a Child Grows

Depending on the age of the children a nanny works with, their responsibilities may be different - their day-to-day activities certainly will be. When applying for nanny jobs, you should make sure you understand the different requirements that come as children develop and age.

A good nanny will adapt their role to stimulate a child's development in various aspects of life, including helping them build social skills, manage emotions and achieve educational milestones. As the children grow older, a nanny's role may shift from primarily providing care to becoming a mentor and guide. At this point they will help the children navigate the challenges of adolescence and support their growing independence.

Challenges Nannies May Face

Nannies, especially live-in nannies, may struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance and establish boundaries with the family. This can be done by managing expectations and boundaries with families. Like with any professional role, clear communication and an understanding of each other's expectations are essential for a successful working relationship between the nanny and the family.

Some children may have challenging behaviours or require additional support due to special needs, which can make the nanny's job more demanding. In such cases, we recommend that you research courses and qualifications that will enable you to work with these vulnerable children and help them to develop as they go through life.

A good nanny will also stay current and informed with childcare best practices. Nannies must continually update their knowledge and skills to ensure they provide the best possible care and support for the children in their charge.

Being a good nanny requires a combination of essential skills, qualities and qualifications. The role of a nanny is dynamic and evolves as the child grows. It requires adaptability and a genuine desire to encourage the child's development. Despite the challenges they may face, nannies play an important role in the lives of the children and families they serve, making it a rewarding and fulfilling career choice for those who are passionate about childcare.

If you are looking to start work as a nanny, speak to the experts at Nannies Matter today. We can help you to identify and prepare for your desired role, and find the right job for you. Call us today on 07736 337065, or fill out an online contact form and we will return your call at a time suitable for you.