10 Rules All Nannies Should Follow

Whether you’re getting ready to assume your very first nanny post or are a seasoned veteran in the world of private, in-home childcare, following a few ground rules can make all the difference when it comes to the success and longevity of your career. Maintaining a certain level of professionalism is of the utmost importance to career nannies, and will make it easier for you to obtain and hold on to high-quality posts.

1. Be Punctual and Reliable – Because your employers are relying upon you to be punctual and reliable in order to maintain those same standards at their own places of employment, being on time and always turning up for work is actually one of the most effective ways of guarding your own job security. While your employers will most likely understand that life happens and will be accommodating in the face of an emergency, making a habit of taking last-minute personal days or running late for work is a surefire way to find yourself looking for a new post.
2. Keep Your Rants to Yourself – Caring for children and meeting the lofty expectations of your employers is no easy task, and it’s understandable that you will need to vent from time to time. What’s important in this situation is that you maintain a level of professionalism when you let your feelings fly. Things that are posted online are difficult or even impossible to fully remove, and people will talk. Make sure that you only share your feelings with trusted friends and that you never rant about your employers or work environment in any manner that might reach them.
3. Remember That Your Charges are Not Your Children – As a childcare professional, you will almost certainly have your own strong opinions regarding parenting and caregiving philosophies borne from your extensive experience in the field. It’s imperative that you remember, despite your experience and training, that your charges are not your children. Unless the disciplinary tactics your employers prefer are abusive or dangerous, you do have to take those wishes into account regardless of your own opinion on the subject.
4. Be Aware of Burn-Out – Nanny burn-out is a very real problem in the childcare industry, and can come together so gradually that you don’t always recognize the signs until you’ve reached the end of your proverbial rope. Make sure that you keep an eye out for any signs of burn-out, and that you attend to them accordingly so that you’re always providing top-notch care to your charges.
5. Know When to Stand Up for Yourself – While you do have to adhere to the rules and live up to the expectations your employers set, it’s also important that you know when to stand up for yourself and your own rights. Guarding yourself against unfair treatment and job creep is essential for nannies.
6. Make Tax Compliance a Non-Negotiable Condition of Employment – It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of keeping more money out of every paycheck by flouting local, state and federal income taxes. In order to avoid paying employment taxes, your employers may also be keen on the idea. The repercussions of failure to pay the proper taxes simply are not worth the money you think you’ll be saving, though.
7. Keep Your References and Reputation Safe – The most valuable resource at your disposal when it comes to securing and retaining a high-quality post is your reputation. Glowing references and a sterling reputation make you infinitely more desirable to potential employers, so keep them in mind when you’re tempted to abandon a post under bad circumstances with little notice.
8. Use Social Media Wisely and Sparingly – Social networking sites are fun and easy ways to keep track of your friends and loved ones, and to share events in your own life with those people. As a nanny, however, you should always be aware of the fact that your employer could potentially see your activity, and that they may have strong objections to the idea of you sharing photographs of their children online.
9. Stay Active and Engaged – Working as a professional, private childcare provider is more than a simple supervisory role. Your employers will expect a nanny that’s active and will engage with their children, rather than someone who is just keeping an eye on them during commercials.
10. Always Behave As If You Are Under Surveillance – Some states prohibit the use of nanny cams under certain circumstances, while others are far more lax regarding surveillance. Your employers may not be required to disclose that you’re under surveillance, so it’s always a wise move to behave at all times as if there were a camera trained on your every move.

In addition to these rules, it’s also essential that you adopt a policy of maintaining your CPR and first aid certification, keeping all of your life-saving knowledge current and fresh. You should also enter in to each and every working arrangement with a written work agreement regarding your rights and responsibilities as a nanny in order to reduce the risk of disputes borne of misunderstanding later. Adopting your own policies regarding behavior and standards of conduct will allow you to create a professional image that’s all your own and help you maintain a sterling reputation.

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