Originally posted here, as part of the International Nanny Association’s Recommended Practices for Nannies.
Finding the right position is essential to assuring job satisfaction. Most families will expect a one year commitment from their nanny. Prior to a job search, to ensure success, nannies should know what type of position they want to secure and for what type of family they wish to work.
Things you’ll need to take into consideration during your job search include:
- Whether you want a full-time or part-time position
- Whether you’d like to be a live-in or a live-out nanny
- Geographical locations where you’d like to work
- The number and ages of children that you are comfortable working with
- Which, if any, household chores you are willing to do in addition to the ones directly related to the children
- Personal preferences you have that may affect whether you accept a particular position.
These personal preferences may include:
- Allergies to pets
- Personal, political or religious convictions
- Lifestyle preferences
- Parenting philosophies.
Nannies are also encouraged to carefully consider which nanny care model suits them best when searching for a nanny position. There are three main models of nanny care. These include custodial care, coordinated care and surrogate care.
In the custodial care model, the nanny’s role is limited to meeting the children’s physical and emotional needs during their parents’ absence. In this model, the parents manage the children’s day by providing the nanny with specific guidance. A nanny who provides custodial care will not have input into the child’s scheduling or activities and does not have a voice regarding childrearing practices or parenting philosophies.
In the coordinated model of nanny care the nanny’s role is to be a team player in raising the children. Nannies who engage in the coordinated model of care are viewed as true parenting partners. Nannies in this model have a voice when it comes to childrearing practices and parenting philosophies. Their input is not only sought, but highly valued by the parents. These nannies tend to be full charge nannies who are given the freedom to make the day to day decisions regarding the children’s activities and outings.
In the surrogate model of nanny care, the nanny’s role is to be the primary care giver for the children. In this model of nanny care, the nanny may have limited interaction with her employers and may be left to make almost all decisions for the children in her care. Nannies who engage in the surrogate model of care may work for parents who travel extensively, or work in highly demanding jobs and need a guardian type of caregiver to tend to the children while they are away.