Click on the subject area below for information to help on your job search.

• What is a nanny?
• What do families expect from a nanny?
• What is a job contract?
• How can I improve my chances of getting a good job?
• I am thinking of taking a job with a family 400 miles away. My parents are worried about my safety.
• What do you mean by "US work authorization required"?
• I cannot afford airfare to where I want to work. Can I apply anyway?
• I smoke. Is that a problem?
• Do I need a driver's license?
• How old do you have to be to become a nanny?
• I am going on a job interview. What do I need to know?
• What does the family mean when they say they are doing a 'background check'?
• How much are nannies paid? What is a fair wage?

Finding a Job With 4nannies.com

• How do I apply for a job?
• How do I change information on my application?
• A family sent me an email. How do I look them up?
• My posting expired. I am still looking for work. How do I re-post?
• I found a job! How do I delete my application?

Please note that the 4nannies.com job application has extensive online help. Simply click on the help icon (that cute question mark) and a help screen will appear.

What is a nanny?:
The International Nanny Association defines a nanny as one "employed by the family on either a live-in or live-out basis to undertake all tasks related to the care of children. Duties are generally restricted to childcare and the domestic tasks related to childcare. May or may not have had any formal training, though often has a good deal of actual experience. Nanny's work week ranges from 40 to 60 hours per week. Usually works unsupervised."

4nannies.com notes that a nanny is more than a baby-sitter. The nanny job is the best paying childcare career - and for good reason! Nannies are expected to participate in the social, emotional, and intellectual development of their charges, and will work with the child(ren) on such areas a language development, potty training, social manners, homework, and more. A typical work day is 8-10 hours. Most families request that a nanny make a minimum commitment of one year to the job. This is to make sure that the children have continuity in their childcare. Candidates who do not feel that they can commit to a year might consider other types of childcare work until they are comfortable with the commitment.

Before you apply to become a nanny you should ask yourself the following questions to judge your suitability for the work:

• Are you patient? Can you handle 8-10 hours on a stretch with a small child, perhaps with no other adult companionship? Are you reliable and trustworthy?
• Are you flexible enough to perform your childcare responsibilities according to the family's rules?
• Are you a self-starter with initiative who can organize his/her day to accomplish all required tasks, while not neglecting your charge(s)?
• With children, things do not always go according to plan. Are you adaptable and flexible enough to change your routine to accommodate the sick child, for example, or the lost sneakers when you are on a deadline, without becoming upset?

Being a nanny is hard work, but very rewarding. Make sure you are ready for the realities.

What are a family's general expectations?

Parents choose nanny care to provide their children with individualized, personalized care that is consistent with the child rearing philosophies of the parents. Being a nanny is a job, a demanding one. Parents generally expect that the nanny have a genuine interest in the well-being of their children, and that the nanny have or obtain the necessary information and skills to provide quality care.

Parents generally expect that an engaged nanny will:

• Have the safety and well-being of the children as their primary concern while on duty.
• Read to the child daily. Provide stimulating and educational play, crafts and other activities.
• Model positive behavior for their children, including language and eating habits.
• Communicate with the parents. They appreciate the nanny keeping a nanny log [see information in the nanny helpful forms and information area].
• Arrive for work on time and ready to work. If a live-in, the parents do not expect to have to wake the nanny up for work each day.
• Take the necessary steps to acquire needed training in areas such as CPR Certification, First Aid Training, and professional development.

Parents generally expect that an engaged nanny will not:

• Spend the day watching TV instead of the children. OR Use the TV to baby-sit the children.
• Spend time on personal telephone calls during work hours.
• Smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, consume drugs, or swear while on duty.

What is a job contract?:
A job contract is simply a written summary of the terms of employment. It is also referred to as a 'work agreement.' Experts agree that every nanny and family should take the time to document the terms of employment. The work agreement, at a minimum, should address the following:

• Work Schedule: Days and Hours
• Compensation: Salary in gross terms, understanding on payroll taxes, pay frequency, and overtime compensation.
• Holiday and Vacation Schedules: Nannies typically expect 2 weeks paid vacation, understanding that it often will be timed to coincide with family vacation schedules, and paid holidays. Sick day arrangements vary.
• Childcare Duties : Be specific!
• Housekeeping Duties : Be specific and realistic!

Live in nannies should also have a written agreement regarding the living arrangements. Items such as curfew [a touchy subject], phone bills, overnight guests, out of town guests, and privacy expectations [of both parties] should be articulated. If the family advanced the nanny airfare, a repayment or debt forgiveness schedule should be included. 4nannies.com makes a sample work agreement available to all nanny candidates and families.

How can I improve my chances of getting a good job?: Employers recruiting a nanny are often working in a short time frame, and the faster they can verify your information the better. Here are some tips:

• Download a nanny application form and complete immediately. We encourage families to require this application, and your having it ready can really save time.
• Obtain written letters of recommendation from your references, both previous employers, as well as teachers, clergy, and long time adult acquaintances.
• Go to your local DMV and obtain a copy of your driving record. If you are not licensed, this is the time to take care of that.
• Have copies of your recent CPR and First Aid certifications. If your certification has expired, get into a class to update these skills.
• Respond to families quickly. Be organized. Have your questions all lined up in advance. Use the interview forms on this website.

I am thinking of taking a job with a family 400 miles away. My parents are worried about my safety.

This is a frequently overlooked concern in nanny employment and a nanny is wise to think this through before accepting a job offer. We hear so much about families being concerned about leaving their children in the care of a relative stranger; nannies considering relocating and living with their employer need to be just a cautious. Here are some tips:

• Interview carefully! You should have at least two substantial telephone interviews before considering the job offer. It is your job to be prepared for these interviews ... and there are exhaustive interview tips on NannyNetwork.com. (Click Here)
• Check family references. For the family who has had previous childcare, ask for the names and numbers of their previous caregivers. These can be former nannies, family daycare providers, or center-based care. Explain why you are calling and ask them questions. Would they consider taking this job, or having their daughter take it? Were they paid on time? Is there anything about the family that they think you should know?
• If at all possible, visit the family in person. Ask a friend or family member to accompany you ... even if you have to drive all day to do so.
• Trust your instincts. If there is anything about the job or the family that makes you uneasy, keep looking.
• Have an escape plan. It is just foolish to consider moving hundreds of miles away without at least having either a friend nearby or enough money for a few nights in a motel, just in case. Call this insurance, and don't leave home without it!

The vast majority of families are honest and caring, looking for the best care for their children. The parents should not object to your thoroughness and thoughtful consideration to the job offer, but rather see it as indicative of the care and caution you will exercise as their child's caregiver. If a family objects to you asking questions, remember, there are many more families out there who will welcome them. You are an adult considering accepting an awesome responsibility for someone else's children; make sure you take responsibility for yourself too.

What do you mean by "US work authorization required"?:
In the United States, a family may legally hire a U.S. citizen, an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or an alien with a valid work permit. US employers are required to verify a candidate's employment eligibility using Form I-9. 4nannies.com discourages applicants who do not have US work authorization; however, it is the responsibility of the family to confirm that the candidate they wish to hire is legally eligible for work in the U.S.

MORE INFORMATION

I cannot afford airfare to where I want to work. Can I apply anyway?:
Yes, you may certainly apply! Many families will agree to hire a nanny who lives at a distance. For example, the nanny may live in Oklahoma, and the family may be in Boston. It is customary for the family to advance the nanny's transportation expense, with the understanding that the nanny will reimburse the family out of the first several paychecks (usually about $50 per week). This may not be airfare, as more economical transportation may be available such as bus or train.

Many families will offer to reimburse these transportation expenses to the nanny after she has worked for the full year agreed to. This is a form of bonus to the nanny. If the nanny leaves before the year is out, it is generally at her expense. All issues regarding the transportation expenses should be clearly spelled out in the work agreement, so there is never a "he said...you said" kind of exchange.

If you are considering taking a job overseas, you should consider obtaining an 'open return' or 'open-ended round-trip ticket'. Open-ended means that you are not required to specify the date of your return flight at the time of purchase. Because of this convenience, open-ended tickets are usually more expensive than regular round-trip tickets. Open-ended tickets generally require travel to be completed within one year. Each airline will have its own conditions and restrictions that apply. This type of ticket insures that you can get home if you want to.

I smoke. Is that a problem?:
Yes, this may in fact be a problem. When surveyed, 89% of families state that they would not hire the nanny who smokes. Many non-smoking households will consider a nanny who smokes but agrees never to smoke while on duty or in the presence of the children. Be honest about this...non-smokers can usually detect when someone smokes. Second-hand smoke is unhealthy for children, and families are within their rights to insist that their home be smoke-free.

Do I need a driver's license?:
Most families require that the nanny be able to drive the children, whether to play dates, the doctors office, or to preschool. It is a good idea that you obtain your driver's license before applying for a nanny job. If you do not drive, you will find the greatest success looking for a position with a family in a major metropolitan area with established public transit - New York City is an example.

How old do you have to be to become a nanny?:
18 is generally the minimum age that a family will accept for a nanny candidate. Many will not accept the candidate under 20. If you are younger, you may consider a year or two of work in a day care center, preschool, or similar environment to gain experience.

What does the family mean when they say they are doing a 'background check'?:
Most families insist that a nanny's background be verified before extending a firm offer of employment. 4nannies.com strongly encourages families to call all personal references and employment references to verify the information you supplied on your application. They will often do some of this before even interviewing you in person, or it may follow the personal interview. When they decide that you are the candidate they are looking for, they will generally make a 'contingent' offer of employment. This means they are offering you a specific job, and you discuss responsibilities, start date, and compensation contingent on your background check coming back clean. If you accept the job, they will order and pay for a background check. 4nannies.com families have a background check included in their 4nannies.com service fee and almost always use it. Items checked may include your Social Security Number history, your criminal record, your credit record (bankruptcy or how responsibly you handle credit are looked at), and sometimes even drug/infectious disease screening will be done (at the family's expense). Most families will insist that you obtain a copy of your driving record (DUIs and speeding violations are not good); you can do this at any DMV office in your state. If there are not skeletons in your closet, the employment offer will be binding.

Knowing that your background will be scrutinized, you should fully disclose any potential problems in your application or in your interview. It is better to explain that you got a speeding ticket two years ago and have learned your lesson before the family finds out about it themselves.

I am going on a job interview. What do I need to know?
This is a topic that cannot just be covered here in an FAQ! We have PAGES of suggested interview questions here at this site. Start here. And remember, this is an interview and appearances are important. You should be dressed just as neatly as you would be for a day on the job. Panty hose and heels are not required, but a clean, neat conservative top and slacks are appropriate. Something a baby could burp on and that you can stay modestly covered if you get on the floor to play with legos.

How much are nannies paid? What is a fair wage?: Nanny wages vary across the country. The following are some general weekly wage guidelines assuming a 45-50 hour work week and one or two children:

• 18 - 20 years old, or less than 2 years verifiable child care experience - $250-$350 live-in; $7-10 hour live-out.
• 21 years or older, 2 or more years verifiable child care experience, no prior nanny experience (note that college education puts you to the higher end of the salary range) - $300-$450 live-in; $8-15 hour live-out.
• Two or more years of nanny experience, and/or a college degree in a child related field - $350-600 live-in; $9-15 hour live-out, higher in major metro markets.

These figures are just guidelines, local job market and specific employment conditions cause considerable variation. Be aware that these are "gross wage" figures, before payroll taxes have been deducted. You can use the payroll tax calculator at Home/Work Solutions Inc., a nanny payroll and tax service, to compute your take home pay.

How do I apply for a job?

When you are logged into our site and search open jobs you have the opportunity to respond - send the families a message. They get an email that includes a link back to your online application. Use the respond box to get their attention - you are attracted to infants, you would love to work in Manhattan, you love to work with multiples, whatever it is about their job that makes an impression on you.

• Log In to 4nannies.com. You can log in from the nanny home page.
• Complete the search form to narrow down the jobs to fit your needs and press Search.
• You will see Job Search Results. These are condensed versions of the family position description. Click on View this job for complete details.
• At the bottom of the family position description there is a REPLY box. Send a message to the family using this feature and the following will happen.
  1. The family will be sent an email that includes your message and a link to your online application.
  2. This family will be added to your Nanny Folder - this exclusive 4nannies.com feature lets you keep track of the families you have contacted and lets you easily follow up with them.

How do I change information on my online application?

• Log In to 4nannies.com. You can log in from the nanny home page.
• Mouse over Update Information and click on Modify Resume.
• Step through the various sections. You can quickly find what you want by letting your cursor hover over the section numbers. A description of that section's contents will appear. Click on the section(s) you need to change. You MUST click on Submit on the bottom of the page to register the changes!

Your revised posting will be available to families within one business day.

A family sent me an email. How do I look them up?

There are several ways you can look up a family.

• Log In to 4nannies.com. You can log in from the nanny home page.
• If the family sent you an email from the site, you will find a link to their job posting in the email. Click the email link after logging in to bring up profile
  
  -OR-
  
  
• Key the family ID number into the Quick Search box that appears on the welcome screen after you log in.

If the family called you or sent you an email without using 4nannies.com's Respond feature there will be no record of this at 4nannies.com. It is important that you ask families who call you for their Family ID so you can look up the details of their job.

My posting expired. I am still looking for work. How do I re-post?

• Log In to 4nannies.com. You can log in from the nanny home page.
• Mouse over Update Information and click on Renew Resume.
• You will see the original registration pages, but filled in with your information. Please page through, using the submit button, and review/update the information. The most common mistake is not updating the date available.

Your posting will be available to families within one business day.

I found a job! How do I delete my application?

• Log In to 4nannies.com. You can log in from the nanny home page.
• Mouse over Update Information and click on Remove Resume.
• You are done! You will receive a confirmation message on the screen.

4nannies.com will send you a brief survey upon deletion of your resume. We truly appreciate your taking the minute to complete the survey. Feedback from candidates like yourself enables us to make the necessary changes to improve our services to you, the job seeker.