How to become a Nanny

Becoming a nanny means that you should have a strong desire to nurture, the ability to put the child's needs and safety first, have good values, and aspire to provide the highest level of care while also providing a structured, stimulating, fun, and child-centred environment. As a Nanny, you may choose to work on a live-in or daily basis.

It isn't a requirement for a nanny to register with Ofsted. However, it is required if the Nanny decides to offer care based in their own home rather than the employer's home. This would then be classed as childminding.

There are many positives of being an Ofsted registered Nanny. You will be joining the voluntary part of the Ofsted Childcare Register (in England) or the Childcare at Home Approval Scheme (in Wales).

To begin your registration process with Ofsted, you should obtain an enhanced DBS check before completing the Ofsted CR1 application form. You will need to apply for a Government Gateway ID (if you don't already have one). You should then register on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register. Once you're on the page for starting a new application, click the link for the CR1 application.

It may take a few weeks to carry out some Ofsted checks. Ofsted will call or use an alternative messaging system if they need to discuss anything. Ofsted should complete registrations within twelve weeks as per target date. However, some may be completed quicker, and others longer. Once you've received your Ofsted certificate, parents can provide your registration number to their company or childcare voucher provider. Registering to Ofsted currently costs £103, which will need to be paid annually.

A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service Check) is a check that is comprehensive and required by law which includes:

You can apply for an enhanced DBS check through the Government's online Ofsted DBS application form. It would help if you had the DBS before you use to be Ofsted registered. Once completed, you'll receive a certificate approximately six weeks later. DBS checks cost around £52.50. If you sign up with the DBS update service, it will cost £13 per year.

There are no requirements needed in becoming a nanny; however, arming yourself with the official training and certifications will help to prepare you and help you stand out as a candidate.

Deciding to work with children means that you should have a CPR and first-aid training certificate. You could receive this certificate from your local YMCA or a local fire station. However, if you come up empty-handed when trying to find a provider for a first-aid certificate, consider checking Google, who will inform you of local individuals that are certified to train you.

If you would like to consider more in-depth training and education, consider more specialised nanny training courses and certifications, such as:

If you want to increase your likelihood of landing a job right away, you could consider gaining a degree in early childhood education or a related field. This can boost your chances of being hired almost immediately, and it's a good investment if you have an idea of a long-term childcare career.

When working with children, first aid and CPR qualification are vital. The parents will ask for proof of this qualification and will also be rested to know their child is in safe hands.

The qualification aids the practical skills that are required to save the life of an infant or child during an emergency. You can expect an informal and relaxed setup that an experienced first aid instructor hosts. They will demonstrate each practical skill and then allow you time to practice for yourself.

Once completed, you will be awarded a Paediatric First Aid certificate. This will be valid for three years and can be used for the Voluntary Ofsted Childcare Register.

You will learn how to preserve life, prevent conditions from worsening and how to promote recovery. You will also learn:

You could gain experience by babysitting children that you already know. Consider volunteering to take care of the children in your family or family friends. You could charge for the babysitting you do, but volunteering can get your references fast. This will give your childcare career a jump start in a short amount of time.

Consider finding opportunities for you to work with children in your community. This can be appealing to parents in the future. You could; offer tutoring for school children, coach or assist with after-school sports programs like football or rugby, join a big brother or big sister program if there's one in your area, or consider volunteering at a summer camp.

Once you've successfully taken on your new nanny jobs, use that experience to build that steady flow of work. Consider asking the parents for feedback and constructive criticism to help you be the best you could be. This will also help you learn more as you work to transition from a babysitter to a nanny.

If you are bilingual and speak the mother tongue of the child, then this is great. You could offer additional services of aiding to teach the child another language. If your mother tongue is English, this is beneficial. If the child's first language isn't English, then assisting them in learning English effectively and correctly can be paramount in their future success. English is the second most common spoken language on the planet, so speaking English fluently can open a lot of doors for the child in their future career.

Even though you could seek so many qualifications and certificates when looking to work as a nanny. There is alternative education that you could do for yourself. Consider looking at professional websites which speak of the formal side of nannying. Also, consider asking other nannies what they've learned and if they have any advice for you.

If you begin your job searching process, you may wonder what other skills may enable you to stand out from the crowd once you've gained your experience and qualifications.

Once you've gained experience and skills necessary to work as a nanny, it's time to find your first job. The best way to begin is by searching for jobs online and creating a job profile and CV that stands out. While a nanny CV is essential to showcase your experience, many families want to know that you'll be perfect for their family.

Consider adding more than just your qualifications and experience to your profile. And things like:

Ensure to add a professional photo that portrays you in a responsible, friendly, and appropriate way.

An employer of a nanny will want to carry out a thorough interview. This could entail an initial offer over the phone, followed by a face-to-face interview - if you pass the initial stage. The parents may then wish to create a shortlist of candidates who will be considered for the final job offer. It would help if you were well prepared for each step of the interview phase. Before applying for any positions, ensure that you have the following documents available and up to date:

The parents interviewing you may check the legitimacy of the qualifications and other documentation presented. This is acceptable as your employer will need reassurance that they are leaving their children with someone trustworthy.

When arranging a telephone interview, ensure that, if you're using a mobile, that you have good reception and have provided the correct contact number. Speak clearly and be aware of the tone of your voice and the speed at which you respond. When you're nervous, it's easy to talk too quickly. If you want to prepare yourself, you may find it helpful to go over some mock questions.

If you get offered a face-to-face interview, be mindful of arriving well presented with all relevant paperwork in order and consider bringing a list of questions you'd wish to ask the parents. This is important as it shows that you have a level of interest in the job and the family. Keep the questions you wish to ask general, and avoid discussing benefits, pay, or making any requests that could jeopardise your job offer early on. Once the job offer has been made, this is when employment terms can be negotiated.