A professional nanny is basically a career option for people who like working with kids and earn money doing so at the same time. More and more parents in modern homes are now recognizing the need of this type of child care provider and the profession is growing and is expected to grow at a rate of 9 to 17 percent in the period 2004 – 2014 in the United States. This is a direct outcome of more women going out of their homes and joining the workforce.
Of course, parents have standards in selecting nannies for their kids. Although it should not be a prerequisite for hiring one, a possible nanny should have a certificate of training. You may have to pay higher for nannies with training certificates for courses on family, infant and child care, nutrition and safety but at least, you’re guaranteed that your kids are getting quality care and attention from them. Among other traits and skills that your professional nanny must exhibit are:
1. Your nanny must have sincere dedication to her craft and commitment to giving the child under her care the best possible nurturing and a genuine love of caring for children.
2. Professional nannies need teaching skills to promote the child’s cognitive development and the ability to maximize daily occurrences as learning events. This will include planning activities appropriate for the child’s biological and mental age and using play as an educational tool to further broaden his social, intellectual and emotional growth.
3. Nannies should be conscientiousness in upholding safety practices at all times. Prevention of accidents and injuries to the child and the house must be given utmost importance; hazards must be removed and measures taken to neutralize them. Hazards can be as simple as toys lying around the house, spilled liquid or poisonous chemicals within the child’s reach.
4. Professional nannies should be skilled in basic child care like bathing, nappy changing, milk formula and meal preparation. Extra care should be taken to know if there is food the child is allergic to. Activities and playtime skills are additional but necessary attributes of a professional nanny.