Next class starts in January 2020!
This in-depth series is designed to for caregivers, those entering the field and those already working as nannies, who want to understand the unique aspects of nanny care and successfully navigate the many challenges
of being a childcare professional in a private home. These 9 sessions will provide you with an in-depth, working knowledge of each topic and help you understand how all the pieces fit together.
The information presented in this series is based on over 25 years of hands-on experience and expertise. You’ll benefit from the collective wisdom of the top agencies, nannies and employers I work with. You’ll leap frog over the normal learning curve and avoid the mistakes that can stall or derail a nanny career. Whether you’re working as a nanny for a few years or are in it until you retire, if you’re committed to being the best you can be on the job, this series is for you.
Class List
Introduction to Nanny Care
The Nanny Care field is unlike any other. Even if you’ve babysat, worked in a day care, preschool or other childcare setting, you’ll find working as a nanny is a very different ballgame. This session will give you the information and resources you need to successfully navigate the nanny care field. We’ll cover:
what exactly is a nanny: required qualifications, difference between a nanny, au pair, and babysitter, your role in the private service field
what does a nanny do: caring for the whole child, typical job responsibilities and schedule, blended positions
unique aspects of a nanny job: the live-in option, bringing your own child to work, nanny shares, traveling with your family, having a private home as your work environment, working with a stay-at-home parent
business side of being a nanny: time-keeping, being paid legally vs. under the table, employee vs. independent contractor, regular and overtime wages, unemployment, worker’s compensation, using your own car for work, retirement savings and other unique legal and financial issues you face as a nanny
the nanny job market: the nanny career path, wage and benefit expectations, the effect of location on your job prospects, avenues for finding a nanny position, generally accepted qualifications for agencies, background screening
documentation: what you should create and add to throughout your career including your resume, portfolio, and certifications
professional community: nanny and childcare organizations, your local nanny community, continuing education training
Developing Your Caregiving Philosophy
A reflective, well thought out caregiving philosophy acts as your guiding star in your childcare career. This clear, concise, heartfelt narrative is the perfect tool to outline your commitment and expertise during your job search and your work with families.
In this session you’ll learn how to:
- define what’s important to you
- translate your ideals, values, and beliefs into a caregiving philosophy
- align your day to day actions with your big picture goals
- weave key words, phrases and ideas into a your daily check-ins, family meetings and performance reviews to highlight your real world expertise
- actively hone your caregiving philosophy as your experience and skills grow
Your Career Map: A Road Map for Success
There’s no such thing as a nanny career ladder. Advancing as a nanny isn’t a straight path. It’s has lots of twists and turns and pot holes. But with the right road map, you can successfully create a career path that meets your professional goals and your personal style.
In this session, you’ll learn about:
- the differences between a nanny job search and a traditional job search
- the 4 basic types of nanny positions
- what qualifications and traits are most sought after by top agencies and employers
- the key factors to consider when looking for a nanny position
- the red flags that point to a bad employer or work environment
- a detailed look at the documentation of a professional nanny the important role training plays in your advancement
You’ll also learn how to:
- accurately assess your needs and preferences so you can decide what type of nanny job is right for you
- navigate the different search methods available during your job search
- evaluate job offers based on real world market factors and your personal preferences
- successfully move from entry-level to mid-level to executive-level positions
What’s in the Secret Sauce?: The Mysterious Ingredient That Everyone Is Looking for in a Nanny
So what exactly makes a nanny a sought after hire? Is it her education, her experience, the special skills she bring to the job? Well, all of those things matter. But there’s also another ingredient that agencies and parents look for; that special something that makes a nanny shine. It’s hard to define but clearly recognizable when seen. It’s the collection of knowledge, 
attitudes and practices that make a nanny stand out as a caregiver and an employee. This special ingredient is what catapults so many nannies into those sought after jobs while other struggle to just find a decent match. It’s why a top agency will represent one nanny and turn away ten others, even though they all have comparable resumes. It’s why a parent will hire a less experienced, less educated, or less skilled nanny over a seasoned veteran who’s perfect on paper but lacking in person. It’s why some quality caregivers can’t seem to advance to the next level, despite years of experience and training. These intangible elements aren’t often talked about in our industry, but they have a huge impact on the success of your next job search and your career advancement.
In this session, we’ll talk about the ingredients that go into this secret sauce. We’ll address what agencies and parents are looking for in three key areas: knowledge, attitude and practices.
Professional Ethics for Nannies
In this session, we’ll look at the bevy of ethical issues that nannies face. Because there are no established, across the board ethical guidelines for nannies, each individual caregiver must decide for herself what is right and wrong in a given situation. That can be especially difficult because of the uniqueness of each situation and the very personal nature of the job.
In this session we’ll use the NAEYC professional ethics for caregivers as a framework as we explore core ethical issues like:
- privacy
- confidentiality
- service
- boundary between
- professional and personal involvement
- obligation to and responsibility for your charge
- loyalty and obligation to your employers, as individuals and as a family unit
- mandated reporting
- leaving the family
You’ll learn how to:
- use an ethical decision making model to help you navigate difficult decisions
- recognize and reconcile the difference between your personal feelings and your professional responsibilities
- develop an appropriate course of action that honors both your personal and professional beliefs
The Nanny/Family Relationship
The nanny / family relationship is by far the most complicated part of a nanny’s job. But it’s something that you have to effectively navigate to be successful in your job long term.
In this session, you’ll learn how to:
- define your role in the family dynamics (e.g. member of the family, part of the parenting team, hired help)
- set and keep healthy professional boundaries
- maintain your professionalism while working in an informal environment
- balance a “How can I help?” attitude with self-care
- respect their home space while creating a comfortable work environment
- effectively communication with your employers around issues relating to your charge, your job description and your employment relationship
The Nanny Contract
A comprehensive nanny contract is the foundation of a successful employment relationship. It not only outlines the nuts and bolts terms of your job, it defines your work environment, on duty guidelines and the expectations or both parents and nanny. Plus it provides you with workplace protections that you’d normally forfeit by working for a household employer rather than a business. (Lora Brawley, your trainer for this series, is the creator of the A to Z Nanny Contract, a nanny favorite.)
In this session we’ll:
- review the key components that you should always include in your contract including wages and benefit package, responsibilities and performance expectations, on duty behavior guidelines, termination protections, work environment parameters
- debunk the common myths around a nanny contract
- outline the real world risks of working without a contract or working with an inadequate one
You’ll learn how to:
- present the idea of a contract to your employers
- advocate for yourself during the negotiate process
- create a fair, balanced contract
Communication Fundamentals for the Nanny / Family Relationship
The informal nature of nanny care means that you have to advocate for yourself within the employment relationship. There isn’t a director, a supervisor or principal to provide daily check-in procedures, to define reasonable hours and responsibilities to negotiate wage and benefit terms, or to mediate conflicts. It’s all up to you.
In this session we’ll explore:
the pros and cons of the different ways nannies and employers communicate
- the importance of the daily check-in
- the essentials of a family meeting
- how your communicate style impacts your interactions with your employers
You’ll learn how to:
- decide what to talk about and what to let go
- ask for a meeting with your employers…and get it
- use tried and true communication tools to discussion tough topics
- effectively deal with emotionally charged situations
Navigating Goal Setting and Performance Reviews
It’s impossible to really know how well you’re doing in your job unless you have set goals and you get regular feedback from your employers. Performance reviews are the perfect way to get both of those things done.
In this session you’ll learn how to:
- introduce the idea of performance reviews to your employers
- craft a review that accurately reflects your job description
- set goals for developmental milestones, ages and stages transitions, and other things you or the parents feel are important
- respond to positive and negative feedback from your employers
- offer feedback to employers about how they’re doing in the areas that are important to you
How the Class Works
Dates
The winter 2020 training series begins January 27th and ends May 18th. During those 16 weeks, you can move through the program at your own pace. Complete the whole program in just a few weeks or take your time and access the lessons whenever your schedule allows. It’s completely up to you. As a bonus, you’ll have lifetime access to the video lessons and facebook group. This allows you the opportunity to review the materials as situations come up on the job and ask for feedback from your peers.
Lessons
This class features 9 on demand lessons which are accessible 24/7. Each lesson includes a video and/or audio recording and a detailed handout.
To access the lessons, you’ll log into the site and be taken to your membership area. From there you’ll be able to access everything you need, all in one location.
Group Coaching Calls
To provide you with personalized support during the training program, there will be 16 group coaching calls scheduled during the winter training session. With each call, you’ll have the opportunity to “meet” me and other classmates in a live call to review and discuss lessons, to fine tune the new skills you’re learning, and get feedback on the real world situations you’re facing. These calls will be recorded and available for replay. Group coaching calls are not a mandatory port of the program, however they are a very useful tool in learning.
Calls will be staggered on different days of the weeks and at different times to accommodate a variety of schedules. The exact schedule will be determined by the preferences of the enrolled attendees.
Discussion Group
You’ll also have access to a discussion group for current and former students. Here you can ask questions, share resources, and get support as you put to work the many things you’re learning.
Certificate of Completion
Each video lesson will include completion passwords. Once you finish all the lessons, submit the passwords along with a statement about what you learned in that session o receive a Certificate of Completion.
$295 registration
all registrations final
BOGO sale, buy one seat in this class and get one seat free, is happening until December 29th. To register, get the name and email address of your BOGO partner and click here. You will be taken to NannyCareHub.com for payment.
