Nanny

A Nanny provides in-home childcare and takes on various responsibilities related to the care and upbringing of children.

The Role of a Nanny

A Nanny oversees the care, development and well-being of a child and may or may not also handle various household duties on behalf of a family.

As a trusted caregiver and companion for your child(ren), a great Nanny will excel at providing children with stimulating and fun activities that foster their physical, mental and emotional growth. A Nanny’s primary responsibility is caring for children and guiding them through their daily routine, and secondarily, for assisting a family with their household or personal needs. Nanny positions are often all-in-one positions, combining childcare responsibilities with other duties, like cooking, tutoring, cleaning/laundry or running errands on behalf of a family.

An experienced Nanny will be caring, attentive and creative, and should have a warm personality and be capable of developing a strong rapport with both children and their family. Successful Nannies will always nurture and support a child’s well-being and happiness, while simultaneously respecting a family’s preferences in how their child(ren) are raised.

Job Description

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

Depending on a family’s needs, a Nanny will have either completed their secondary education or obtained a Bachelor’s (B.S. or B.A.) degree. A Bachelor’s degree is typically a requirement if educating or tutoring children is a requirement of the role. If so, education is often focused on childhood development, education, psychology, social services or core subjects such as English, Social or Natural Sciences.

Experienced Nannies will have at least 3 years’ experience in childcare, education or family assistance, either in a childcare facility, household or school setting. Depending on the specific needs of a family, experience in a specific area may also be required, such as cooking, personal service, management of other childcare staff, etc.

Note: A Nanny does not necessarily need prior experience as a Nanny. In fact, many of the best Nannies come from other caregiving positions, like a Companion, Family Assistant, primary caregiver, etc. Similarly, because this role deals more with general (compared to specific) experience, recent graduates or those who are at the beginning (or a transition stage) of their career often make an exceptional Nanny.

SKILLS

Depending on a family’s needs, a Nanny may be required to possess certain skills, like a second language, experience with childhood education, caring for individuals with developmental or physical disabilities, etc.
Nannies should be calm and collected, friendly and outgoing, imaginative and creative, patient and understanding, warm, loving and kind
Willingness to do light housekeeping or organizing within the home, preparing meals, pet-care or other daily/weekly duties as necessary
Familiarity with technology, including household systems (smart home devices/interfaces, HVAC, security, etc.)

CERTIFICATIONS / TRAINING

Professional childcare certifications or licenses are not required, but Nannies are highly encouraged to obtain CPR and first aid certifications. Beyond that, an employer may prefer candidates with certain educational backgrounds, or other skills such as technology proficiency, physical fitness to actively participate in kids’ activities or fluency in a language other than English.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities for a Nanny vary depending on the scope of this role (fully childcare vs. split with housekeeping, cooking, tutoring, etc.). However, common duties include:

Preparing children for school by helping them with dressing, grooming, packing lunch, and homework and driving them to school, athletic practices/events or appointments
Scheduling appointments on behalf of the children (medical appointments, athletics, tutoring, etc.). Also planning child/family travel and logistics (flights, hotels, car rentals, dining and activities)
Performing various administrative duties on behalf of the children (healthcare, academics, completing forms, researching and executing special projects, etc.)
Making healthy meals and snacks for the children or family according to their dietary preferences and restrictions
Performing light housekeeping or household chores, especially child-related, or errands as needed by the family
Organizing creative and educational activities and games for the children
Communicating regularly with parents and reporting any issues or concerns

ATTRIBUTES

Characteristics of a successful Nanny include:

Warm and nurturing personality

A Nanny’s character and disposition is by far the most important quality, since interacting with a providing a positive and healthy environment is paramount in this role. A Nanny with a nurturing personality can foster the emotional, social and cognitive development of children by providing them with love, support and guidance. They can also help children cope with challenges and frustrations by being empathetic and understanding.

Organizational skills

A Nanny should be proficient in planning and keeping organized throughout the day, both for themselves and as to help the child(ren) stay organized as well. He or she should always be setting goals, managing competing priorities and monitoring progress, whether it’s an academic, athletic or social/emotional milestone. They should be able to juggle many simultaneous tasks and bring consistency and structure to a child’s life.

Interpersonal communication

A Nanny should be able to adapt their communication style to different situations and audiences, whether they’re interacting with children, family members, family friends, other caregivers, coaches, teachers, etc. He or she should have a high-degree of emotional intelligence, be able to communicate clearly and concisely, be an active listener and be able to express empathy and respect at all times.

Safety-conscious and responsible attitude

A Nanny should take full responsibility and accountability for their actions and decisions. He or she should be able to work independently and proactively, take initiative and ownership of their relationship with the children, and to always ensure they are acting in a safe and responsible manner. He or she should demonstrate integrity in every interaction with the child(ren) and keep the parents informed at all times of negative behaviors or issues that arise in their interactions with the child(ren).

COMPENSATION

Total compensation for a Nanny generally ranges from $70-175K. Factors that command a higher salary include specific experience, education or training requirements, an ability to work outside of normal hours, flexibility to travel frequently between other homes or live-in at the primary residence, fluency in languages other than English and the ability to manage large-scale construction/renovation projects. Components of a Nanny’s compensation may include:

Base salary

A fixed annual amount received for performing duties as agreed upon. A Nanny’s base salary varies depending on the number of children being cared for, travel and live-in vs. live-out requirements, specific education or experience requirements, as well as the experience and qualifications of the Nanny.

Discretionary bonus

Discretionary bonuses are variable amounts that are paid annually based on an individual’s performance. The percentage of compensation paid as a salary versus a bonus is entirely up to the employer, but for a Nanny, a discretionary bonus can range anywhere from 10 – 20% of total compensation. The most common reason for a higher bonus percentage (relative to salary) is to tie an employee’s compensation to their overall performance. It also allows an employer to set strategic goals during the employee’s annual performance evaluation, with the pay out of their bonus linked to the completion of stated goals.

Living expenses

A family may prefer that their Nanny lives in with them, either at their residence, at an adjoining accommodation on their property or within certain proximity of their residence. Reasons for this include the need for this person to be available off-hours, the importance of proximity to the residence or principal due to various duties associated with the role (e.g., waking children up, caring for pets, etc.) or because the residence is located in a remote area. If a principal requires any of these living situations of their Nanny, housing and/or moving expenses are expected to be included in the employee’s compensation package.

STANDARD BENEFITS

Families with part-time or modest childcare needs may not be required to provide benefits to their Nanny. Established employers typically offer the following corporate-style benefits (or a stipend to obtain benefits themselves):

Medical, dental and vision

Standard health benefits help employees stay healthy, reduce absenteeism and ultimately increase productivity.

Retirement savings account

401k, thrift savings plan or simple IRA, especially with employer matched contributions, shows your employees your commitment to their future.

Paid time off

PTO allows your employees to take time off from work for various reasons, such as vacation, sickness, personal matters or holidays.

Travel/miscellaneous expenses

Employers are responsible for expenses incurred when travelling for work or while transporting children. A family car may be provided for regular transportation, or expenses may be reimbursed or covered by a travel allowance or budget. If domestic or international travel is required for employment, accommodations, meals and miscellaneous expenses should also be covered by the employer.

OTHER BENEFITS / "PERKS"

Additional benefits are often included to enhance the attractiveness of an employment offer, as well as encouraging long-term employment. Such benefits include:

Education

Tuition reimbursement, scholarships/savings plans for those with college-aged children

Professional development

Encouraging and covering an employee’s participation in training courses, workshops, seminars, conferences or professional certifications

Health and wellness

Healthy food, beverages or snacks offered
Paid or discounted gym memberships or fitness classes
Access to wellness programs with counseling services, health screenings, substance abuse treatment, etc.
Life and disability insurance

Employee assistance

Financial counseling
Legal advice
Transportation reimbursement or allowance

Charity

Volunteer opportunities
PTO days for community service
Charitable match program

Family benefits

On-site childcare or childcare reimbursements
Parental and family medical leave

Workplace

Remote work/flexible hours
Casual work attire
Employee recognition programs, awards or rewards

REPORT STRUCTURE

A Nanny generally reports:

To a House or Estate Manager
Directly to the principal(s)
To another contact designated by the principal (e.g., Director of Operations or Administration of a family office, a principal’s Chief of Staff, etc.)

If other nannies, tutors, coaches, etc. are involved in the child(ren)’s care, a Nanny may be responsible for regularly interacting with or managing additional personnel.

Have Questions?

Caring For Your Family

A Nanny isn’t just a caregiver, but a trusted partner in raising and nurturing your children. Their role is to provide personalized attention, creating a safe and engaging environment that promotes your child’s physical, emotional, and educational development. With experience in handling various age groups, a Nanny takes on responsibilities ranging from feeding and bathing to homework assistance and managing daily schedules. Beyond the basics, they also serve as a consistent, supportive presence in your child’s life, promoting growth and well-being in a structured yet loving manner.

A Nanny can also coordinate extracurricular activities, provide transportation, and keep your home organized and functional, allowing you to focus on your career or personal time without worry.

“We place Nannies who not only provide exceptional care, but also a personalized approach that ensures your child’s well-being is prioritized every day.”

Adam Cook

Managing Director, Old State Staffing

Nurture Your Child's Growth

Why You Should Consider a Nanny

A Nanny can bring peace of mind to busy parents by managing your child’s day-to-day care and ensuring their safety, happiness, and development. From maintaining routines to creating a stimulating environment, a Nanny offers you the freedom to focus on other aspects of your life without compromising your child’s needs. A Nanny can help you: