Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
Nannies
Nannies care for children in private households and provide support and expertise to parents in satisfying children's physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs. Duties may include meal planning and preparation, laundry and clothing care, organization of play activities and outings, discipline, intellectual stimulation, language activities, and transportation.
Table of contents
What they do
Nannies care for children in private households and provide support and expertise to parents in satisfying children's physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs. Duties may include meal planning and preparation, laundry and clothing care, organization of play activities and outings, discipline, intellectual stimulation, language activities, and transportation.
- Remove hazards and develop appropriate boundaries and rules to create a safe environment for children.
- Instruct and assist children in the development of health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, and toilet behavior.
- Instruct children in safe behavior, such as seeking adult assistance when crossing the street and avoiding contact or play with unsafe objects.
- Help prepare and serve nutritionally balanced meals and snacks for children.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Nannies supervise and assist with homework. They regulate children’s rest periods and nap schedules.
A typical day for a Nanny will also include:
- Perform housekeeping and cleaning duties related to children’s care.
- Help prepare and serve nutritionally balanced meals and snacks for children.
- Model appropriate social behaviors and encourage concern for others to cultivate the development of interpersonal relationships and communication skills.
- Help develop or monitor family schedules.
- Keep records of play, meal schedules, and bill payments.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Nannies also shop for groceries, clothing, and other items needed for children’s care. They may also meet regularly with parents to discuss children’s activities and development.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Nannies work with parents to develop and implement discipline programs to promote desirable child behavior. They might also keep records of play, meal schedules, and bill payments.
In addition, they organize and conduct age-appropriate recreational activities, such as games, arts and crafts, sports, walks, and playdates.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them help develop or monitor the family schedules.
To some Nannies, it is also their responsibility to transport children to schools, social outings, and medical appointments.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
69% said they were satisfied with their job and 60% said they found their job meaningful.
I’ve been a professional nanny for nearly a decade now. I have my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and am a certified teacher. I accepted a position as a nanny right out of college and I’ve never looked back. My typical day On a typical day, I arrive at the family’s house and prepare … Read More
A typical day for me is a mix of different responsibilities, depending on the schedules and needs of my specific family. Most days are about playing with the children, reading to them and having breakfast with them, helping get ready for school or clothes-shopping with them, preparing their lunches to bring to school, and cooking … Read More
Pros
Suitable for people who like to help and teach others.
Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.
One of the lowest paying jobs.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Nannies with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $18,380 to $20,900 per year or $9 to $10 per hour.
Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
---|---|---|
Highest (Top 10%) | $37,720 | $18 |
Senior (Top 25%) | $30,750 | $15 |
Median | $25,460 | $12 |
Junior (Bottom 25%) | $20,900 | $10 |
No experience (Bottom 10%) | $18,380 | $9 |
What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
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Group discussions
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Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.
They also like working with forms, designs, and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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