The turnover for new nannies can be quite high, as in
any service industry, as the expectations can differ
dramatically to the reality of the job.
It makes sense to know a little more about what
you are getting into!
Firstly, at the moment anybody who can pass a
Working With Children Check can be a nanny.
There are no legal requirements relating to nanny
employment, apart from the WWCC.
It is the responsibility of NSW placement/referral
agencies and employing parents to ensure applicants
undergo this screening.
From here, let me tell you a little more
about a nanny's day.
It is not enough just to 'love working with kids'.
The position entails so much more.
On arrival, you may be rousing children out of bed
and assisting parents with getting out the door
(finding keys, computers, phones etc).
Then it's off for a nutritional breakfast, which you
usually prepare and general clean up in the kitchen
area. This may entail clearing the parents dishes from
breakfast and even from the night before.
If the mess is annoying, make a list to discuss with
the parents.
Discuss the days activities and any extra items the
parents would like collected, remind parents of any
necessary information and check the Nanny Diary/
Communication Board for any additions/changes.
Prepare lunches and snacks, prepare school aged
children for their day and pack a bag for any outings
for younger children - ensuring you include drinks,
food, emergency extras, sunscreen, first aid kit,
parents contacts, nappies and all that entails,
clean up wipes/washers etc.
A quick run through the house, which includes a
general tidy up in every room, put on loads of
washing, retrieve clothing and toys from nooks and
crannies (under beds, behind lounges etc).
Pack dishwasher and check for danger items.
Whatever the activity on the schedule, sleep times,
moods and milestones must be taken into consideration.
Generally, returning to the house by lunch for sleeps.
Help the children dress and prepare any for school.
Then it's out the door for school or an activity.
When you take children to an activity you join in, a
professional nanny does not stand in the side lines
unless it's a tutorial type lesson (dance/swimmng lessons etc).
Things like Kindergym, playgroups, music and library
sessions require interaction / guidance / support from
the nanny. Playing in the park does not mean sitting
down doing nothing for the whole visit, you climb
slippery dips, push on the swings (at least 10 times!)
climb forts and generally join in the fun.
When you return home, it's hang out the washing,
get kids changed and ready for sleeps if age appropriate.
More drinks and snacks. Off for a rest / nap.
Don't think you get to put your feet up - 15 - 20
minutes if you haven't had your own lunch yet - then
it's into the housework, many nannies leave the
vacuuming until the kids are up again, it depends
on your house set up and routines.
Some days will be spent at home all day. The children
may have a friend over to play, or just have a quiet
day at home. Some parents actually prefer for their
children not to leave the house, this should be discussed
at interview.
If you have plans for craft or another activity,
get everything ready.
If you have any spare time, this means it's time to go
through the children's wardrobes and remove any items
which are too small. Get down the 'next box' and go
through any clothes which may need laundering before
being transfered to the wardrobe for current use. Also
repair any items requiring a stitch or button etc.
If the children's clothes are up to date, check the
kitchen, go throughout he fridge, which really needs
a once over every week, if not every day.
Then check the pantry.
Another area which is the nannies responsibility is
the toy cupboard. After a busy weekend, it may be
a shamozzle, so sorting out toys every Monday may
become part of your regular routine. Toys need a
regular clean too, especially if there has been an
illness in the household.
The laundry cupboard can be hiding some odd items,
used boxes etc. Sort out what is being used and
wipe out the cupboard.
Sleep times are a good time to get ahead on the
cooking, make up a few serves of spaghetti Bolognaise',
stews, etc and freeze them.
When the kids get up, freshen them up and offer
drinks and snacks after a cuddle.
They may have an idea of what they want to do,
or you can suggest something. Reading, drawing,
singing, dancing, dress ups, craft, cooking, gardening,
sand play, ball play, toys etc will all regularly be on
the agenda.
Dinner needs preparation, which the children may
assist with. Any older children will need to be collected
from Preschool/Primary School. A visit to the park
can help burn off any extra energy.
On returning home, quiet play before dinner, serve
up a nutritiously prepared meal, then baths and
story time.
A quick walk around the house to tidy up before
parents arrive and when they do, stand back and
allow for greetings, then communicate any
important information.
Then you knock off.
An average nanny works a 10 hour day.
The wage for beginners is anything from $12 - 14 hour.
If you have childcare training, you can expect the $14 -
but it all really depends on what the parents can afford.
When you have two years experience, the wage goes up.
As the industry has few regulations or government
reccomendations, the industry is ruled by market
expectations.
In addition to the Working with Children Check,
parents generally expect applicants to have
- A First Aid Certificate
- A Drivers History Report
- Childcare Qualifications
- Two years experience
- A drivers licence and often your own vehicle.
If you don't have any of the above, start with your
First Aid Certificate and then get some more
experience through babysitting.
Things professional nannies don't do are ~
Watch TV soapies at work
Go on regular shopping trips
Ignore children
Hang out at Coffee Shops
Atend playdays / playgroups etc and spend their time
talking to the other adults through the majority of
the session.
If you have any questions about becoming a nanny,
please contact TACON directly, either through email
or phone. We are more than happy to offer individual
information.
If you would like to take the next step, be sure to
read the articles on Rewarding Resumes, Nanny Diaries,
Influential Interivews, Looking After Yourself and
Nanny Playgroups.
Be sure to sign up for any additional articles to be
delivered directly to you!
Good Luck and I hope to see you in the playground soon!
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