Summer is officially here in the city, and the weather could not be better to go out for a picnic and explore the incredible sights and sounds of NYC with friends and family.
I know that summer is not only a great time to relax, but the best opportunity to prepare for any upcoming nanny positions you seek when schools open back up.
We all deserve a break from the busy life of friends, family, career, and school, but a little foresight now could save you financial worry and stress come Autumn when it is time to look for a new family nanny position.
As an NYC nanny myself, I know that there are a lot of job turn - overs during the summer months. Usually one of the reason is that the nanny kids are now going to school full-time . So, there are a lot of nannies sadly that are being let go of their domestic employers. So, here are several things you need to do now before looking for your new nanny family. Here is a quick list of the essential things to get done before searching for your new nanny family.
1 - Update Your Childcare Resume
Your resume is your best marketing tool for potential families as a New York City nanny. There is a lot of competition in the city and being able to stand out based on your experience, childcare education and training makes a significant difference.
Your Nanny will be reviewed by parents and sometimes other family members , so it's important to ensure it is up-to-date and accurate. Double-check your resume for updates like:
Changes to your contact info.
New certifications, skills, or education.
All relevant previous family information, including your most recent.
Your objective statement.
Finally, be sure your resume is available as a PDF file. This way, you can send it digitally to anyone who requests it as well as use professional social media outlets like LinkedIn or Indeed
You may want to save two versions. The first with your contact info to send to potential families and the second without the contact info for public viewing.
2 - Update any Childcare Certifications you have
Your infant/child CPR must be current and up to date. This is one of those essential skills families will look for in a New York City nanny.
You should also take the time to update your profile, portfolio, or resume with any new certifications or licenses you may have secured in between your previous family and your new nanny search. Families and agencies like to see that you have kept busy while on break. It shows you are motivated to further your nanny career and skill set.
3 - Learn a New Skill. Attend a Childcare Training/Classes
Growing the skills you are capable of providing for your childcare career and those families who wish to hire you is a great way to expand your opportunities, especially in NYC.
Luckily, there are numerous online classes and training in child development that are completely free through online educational platforms like Coursera and Udemy.
You can also visit any of the many local College centers around the city and maybe plan to invest in a childcare certificate like a Newborn Care Specialist Certification. This will give you more opportunities to earn a higher income and broaden the number of potential families that will hire your nanny
services
At the very least, pick up an NYC library card and go to any of the libraries around the city to read some books on childcare development, being a nanny, or working with children. A great book to start is Baby Led Weaning by Gill Rapley, which offers insight into healthy eating habits for an infant and child. A lot of new mothers are doing research about how to introduce healthy eating habits , once their infant is ready for their solid food.
4 - Network with Previous Families
Reach out to your previous families to ensure all their contact information is correct in case they are used as a reference. This also allows you to grow your network of potential leads because it lets your previous families know you are looking for a new position.
You never know when someone may have a family member, co-worker, or neighbor needing a qualified New York City nanny. Millions of connections can be made on any block, and one quick phone call to update info could mean a bright new opportunity. Just be sure to ask when the best time is to reach out, so you are not burning any bridges.
5 - Know and Set Your Nanny Rates
The ever-shifting economy is causing just as much disruption in the childcare industry as anywhere else. You need to be upfront with any potential families about changes to your new pay rates.
You should get a good idea of how much other private childcare providers are charging for similar jobs in your area. Then adjust your own rate accordingly.
6 - Prepare Your Nanny Agreement/Contract
This should be signed by both parties and will provide details on terms of employment such as wages, hours worked per week, etc. If a parent wants to hire their own nanny instead of using an agency (which we strongly recommend), then this document becomes even more critical as it protects both yourself and your employer from liability concerns if something goes wrong while on duty at their home.
This is one of those areas where working with a qualified NYC nanny agency offers the experience and backing from supportive documents and contracts.
7 - Update Your Vaccination File
Regardless of your belief, being fully vaccinated will open more doors to finding a great family as a nanny. Even though the CDC announced that children from 6 months to 5 years old can now be vaccinated, many parents still request that childcare providers show proof of their immunization records and boosters.
That includes securing your Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis) vaccine if you plan to work with newborns (children 3 months under).
8 - Read About the Latest Childcare Trends
Understanding recent changes to how people parent or the types of environments they wish to raise their children are essential to your role as a New York City nanny. We live in a giant melting pot of different beliefs, cultures, and traditions.
Staying up to date by reading the latest childcare blogs and following trending local nannies on social media could help you prepare for any new trends that might pop up. This could be anything from how to make organic meals to how much screen time is too much.
9 - Practice Your Interview Skills
Ask your friends or a trusted co-worker to run through a mock interview if it has been a while before you last interviewed for a new nanny position. This will help you iron out your questions and answers so you feel more confident when it comes time to interview with a new family.
10 - Promote Yourself!
Don’t forget, you are looking for a new job. That means you need to let people know you are available by posting on your social media, hitting up parent online job boards, reaching out to all your nanny friends and Nanny agencies, updating your LinkedIn profile, and any other way to showcase you are available for
working with a new family.
Work with the Expert Team at Kids and Kaboodles Nanny Agency
The easiest way to secure a new nanny position in NYC is to work with a team of professional nannies and childcare experts like our nanny agency. We have spent years growing a robust network of families looking for qualified and experienced nannies like you.
Reach out today to our Placement Manager to submit your resume . We will be happy to schedule an online/phone interview or in-person meeting and help you find an excellent connection with NYC families.
Wrapping it Up
Now is the time to start your preparation for the busy season. Don’t wait until things start buzzing because by then, it will be too late! You need to be ready before you start looking at families so that you can make sure everything goes smoothly when it comes time to meet them face-to-face.
Follow these steps and you should be well on your way to securing a New York City nanny position right after your summer vacation comes to a close. Good luck!