Putting together a nanny job description? This article will help you.
A nanny job description, in short, is a written statement describing a nanny’s duties, responsibilities, and required qualifications. You might use one in advertising for a nanny position. You might also use one during the application process and as part of your nanny employment agreement.
A nanny job description can be brief and general in nature, or long and detailed. Here’s an example of a brief one, similar to that used by the International Nanny Association:
The nanny is a specialist working in the family’s home, responsible for all tasks related to care of the children. The nanny will serve as a loving, nurturing and trustworthy companion to children. Family will employ the nanny on a full-time, live-out basis.
The brief job description might be useful for an advertisement, where space is limited. When a nanny actually applies for a job, it’s usually best to use a longer, more detailed job description. For example:
Job Title
Full-Time, Live-Out Nanny
Position Description
The nanny is a specialist working in the family’s home, responsible for all tasks related to care of the children. The nanny will serve as a loving, nurturing and trustworthy companion to children.
Major Responsibilities
- Create a stimulating, nurturing, and safe environment for the children
- Supervise the children’s activities at all times
- Plan and prepare meals and bottles for, and feed, the children
- Dress the children
- Place the children down for naps and bedtime
- Bathe the children
- Change diapers
- Potty train the children
- Perform housework related to child care, including washing the children’s clothes, cleaning up after meals, tidying play areas, and washing bottles
- Teach the children good social manners
- Play with the children, both indoors and outdoors
- Plan and lead educational activities, including reading, with the children
- Discipline the children, when necessary
- Drive the children to and from activities
- Administer medicine to the children
Job Qualifications and Requirements
- High school graduate
- Experience caring for children
- Training in early childhood education preferred
- First aid training and child and infant CPR
- Car, driver’s license, auto insurance, and safe driving history
- Authorization to work in the U.S.
- English proficiency
- Reliable, honest, and trustworthy
- Physical ability to care for a young child
- Ability to plan, organize, and multitask with minimal supervision
Add or remove items from this sample nanny job description as needed. For example, you might require your nanny to help with homework, if one of your children is in school. If you have a swimming pool, you might require the nanny to have the ability to swim. Or you might require your nanny to have a B.A. in early childhood education or other specialized education.
Having a good nanny job description can be a great way to attract excellent candidates, so take your time in writing one. And best of luck!