The Australian Consortium Of Nannies - TACON

Rewarding Resumes

There are many ways to present your past work history to potential
employers and placement consultants.

As a nanny consultant, I have seen some that were a few written
references - crumpled and coffee stained - passed over my desk, to
a virtual encyclopedia including references, certificates, photo's, dreams
and aspirations, all lovingly mounted and presented. In seven years I had
my agency, I was handed two videos with lengthy resumes, showing
activities with their charges.

Something in between the two extremes is sufficient.

PRESENTATION
A slip page folder works well to present your resume, as you can change
the pages easily as required. Also, references are removed easily for
copying. I have seen a beautiful old style photo album presentation,
which is great if you only go for a job every four to five years, it was
more a memory book than a resume.

When you first sit down to create you 'book' separate the information
into piles of references, certificates and have a pad and pen ready.
Keep one colour, theme or style through the whole book for continuity.
Up date the presentation every two years to keep it fresh.

First comes your title page with your name, this is the place to let your
personality show. Much loved photo's of you with the children, favourite
paintings/ pictures which move you, or just your name in a beautiful
script and border. Any photos you include must present yourself as a
professional, which means you leave out the bikini shot, even if your
charges are in it and you were at work!

Next comes the CV pages. Two pages is sufficient, if you go on for more
than this you can lose readers attention and they miss important information.

Keep in mind parents and consultants will be looking for -

• The type of childcare experience you have had
  (Ages, specialties, location, commitment etc)
• Training related to childcare and if it is current.
• References - temperament, initiative, reliable etc.
• Interests - Partner commitments/personal life, hobbies,
  your lifestyle outside work, etc.
• Health Status
• Samples of activities with families
• Your future plans

CV CONTENT
Start with your personal details -

• name
• age
• date of birth
• contacts
• phone
• mobile
• fax
• email
• address

Then outline briefly your work and study history over the past ten years,
working back from the present. If the positions listed are not child related,
list the skills you used and learnt which make you a good nanny.

If you have only a few years of work under your belt (or none), start with
the most recent jobs, include study and any activity you have done since
you were 15/16 years old where you demonstrated leadership,
responsibility and initiative.

For each job entry list

• the month and year of employment start and finish dates
• Name of Family
• Age of Children at start date
• Fulltime / part time/ casual
• Reason for leaving
• Reference contact name and number

Once you have all your job info included, then file your qualifications
and certificates.

Start with your First Aid, the Drivers History Report, Blue Card (or equivalent),
Child Development Qualifications and other certificates.

Make sure your folder is clean and in good order.

If you require any assistance in putting together a winning CV, please email marina@tacon.com.au

Nanny Employment Agreement

Nanny Employment Agreements are becoming more and more
popular, as users discover how much they can really assist
in nanny/family relationships.

• They make it easy to discuss the sometimes
  uncomfortable topics.
• Agreements mean all issues are clear and concise
• When it comes time to renegotiate wages and
  conditions, time frames cannot be muddled.
• Duties and expectations cannot be blurred.
• Reinforces a nanny's role and worth.

This sample agreement is based on one I found years ago.
Please note the superannuation and wages details are out of date!

Employment Agreement.

Date:18 September 1997

Statement of Conditions Of Employment

Name of Employer - J & D Bottle

Name of Employee - Annie Shrant

Date of Commencement of Employment - 21 September 1997

Childcare Rebate Scheme Provider No - 29603

Previous service (if any) counting towards continuous
employment - 20 January 1997 to present.

Job Title - Live in Nanny

Duties - Sole Charge Care of Alex and Daniel. Driving to activities,
creating activities, prepare all meals, bathing. Informing parents on
a daily basis of the day's routine in the Nanny Diary. House Duties
include washing and ironing for the children,
daily tidy including vacuum.

Wages - Gross Weekly $720 Net Weekly $536.25.
The employer will provide weekly payslips. Wages will be deposited
into the employee's bank account every Thursday. The employee
will provide monthly Child Care Rebate receipts. The employer will
pay superannuation at 6% of gross wage to fund of employee's
choosing. The wage will be reviewed on 18 February 1998.

Hours of Work. In this occupation definite hours are difficult
to define. However, the employee's basic hours are 8am - 5.30 pm
Monday to Friday. These hours may only be changed by mutual
agreement and the employee will be compensated for the extra
time workerd at a rate of $12 hour. ($3 per 15 minutes)
Both parties agree to notify each other by phone if they are delayed.

Holidays - The employee will be allowed four weeks annual leave
paid in each year. Two weeks will be taken during the family's
holiday and two weeks of the employee's choosing. The employee
agrees to give one month's notice of their preferred holiday period.

In the first or final year of service the employee will be entitled
to holidays on a prorata basis. (One week for every three months
worked)The employee is also entitled to public holidays off, with pay.

Sick Leave - The employee will be paid for eight sick days
per year, at the rate of 1 day per six weeks worked. Additional
sick pay may be granted at the discretion of the employer
if the illness is child related. The employee will be paid pro rata
for sick leave not taken at the end of the year.

Insurance - The employer will hold a Public Liability policy in
relation to the employee. The employee shall hold a Nanny
Insurance Policy in relation to this position.

Confidentiality - It is a condition of employment that now
and at all times in the future, that (save as may be lawfully
required) the employee shall keep the affairs and concerns
of the household and it's transactions and business confidential.
The employer also agrees to keep all details relating to the
employed nanny confidential (save as may be lawfully required).

Termination - In the first weeks of employment, one weeks
notice is required by either party. After four weeks of continuous
service, either the employee or employer may terminate this
contract by giving four weeks notice. If the employer wishes
to terminate the contract immediately, the employee is entitled
to two weeks pay and additional sick leave owing. Should the
employee be found to have injured a child or put them at risk
and is charged by the authorities, the employee will be instantly
dismissed without advance pay - payment will be restricted to
sick leave and holiday pay owed to the point of dismissal.

I have read and agree to abide by the guidelines set out
in this agreement and will not vary the employee's duties
or conditions without first discussing them with the employee.
Employers Signatures...............................       ..........................................

I have read and agree to abide by the guideleines as stated
in this agreement and will not alter my duties without first
discussing them with the employer.
Employee's Signature ........................................

Additional topics to include are

• Phone use
• Car use
• Visitors
• Playgroups
• Restrictions on outings
• Development Assessments
• Weekend and evening expectations if livein
• Additional babysitting rates
• First Aid Status
• Further training expected

There are many other agreements on the internet,
we will have a few more here for you in the coming months.

I have always found to keep it simple, allows for flexibility.

Any queries, please email me at marina@tacon.com.au