What makes a great nanny

What makes a great nanny

A great nanny is someone who chooses childcare as a professional career because they genuinely enjoy nurturing and supporting children’s growth.  

At Find A Babysitter, we’re proud to support nannies across Australia who are making a difference every day. 

Being a babysitter or nanny is such rewarding and valued career. As a nanny, you're not just minding children, you're shaping little lives and supporting families.

You are creating a safe, kind and enriching environment where children can thrive.

Whether you're just starting out or you’ve been working with children for years, here’s what makes a great nanny!

Nannying - A Career Choice

Professional nannies choose childcare as a career path. You love working with children and bring your skills, kindness, patience, and energy into children's lives. You're committed to helping children grow, learn and feel safe every day. This passion makes all the difference and shows in everything you do - from playtime to storytime to daily routines.  Great nannies have extensive knowledge and skills for childcare.  This maybe through relevant childcare courses or through life experience. Great nannies possess all the key credentials including Working With Children Checks and a driver's licence. 

Great Nannies Bring Professionalism and Energy

Caring for children requires a lot of energy - physical and emotional.  A nanny must always remain professional in her work.  Great nannies:

  • Stay upbeat and have a positive attitude throughout the day

  • Can keep up with a range of activities, energetic toddlers, school pick-ups, and active play

  • Know how to stay calm and present in the moment, even when it's challening or tiring! 

Children respond to your energy and follow your lead -  so it's important to maintain a friendly, professional demeanour.   

Great Nannies Communicate Well

Regular communication helps nanny and family life run smoothly.  It shows that you're reliable, thoughtful, and professional.  Great nannies:

  • Ask parents for input about their expectations of day or week ahead with the children

  • Provide updates about the child’s day, their meals, activities, and sleep (parents love reassurance!)

  • Are available by phone or message when needed during the day

  • Are happy to keep a simple daily diary or written notes, if requested

Join now to find babysitting or nanny jobs near you!

  

Great Nannies Are Skilled and Resourceful

Every day with children is different - full of surprises, emotions, and little challenges. A great nanny brings confidence, creativity, and calm thinking to any situation. Whether it’s handling a toddler tantrum, managing two children with different needs, or creating fun on a rainy afternoon, skilled nannies know how to respond with care and flexibility.

Great nannies are skilled in:

  • Calming distressed children in age-appropriate ways

  • Creating age-appropriate and engaging play activities that support learning, growth and development

  • Helping the children with skills such as feeding, toileting, dressing, and transitions throughout the day

  • Thinking on your feet when plans change or unexpected things happen

Your ability to calmly manage the ups and downs of a busy day with children and still keep things fun and safe is what truly sets you apart.

Great Nannies Are Reliable

Great nannies are reliable.  Families rely on you, so being dependable is important. That means:

  • Always arriving on time and ready to start work

  • Letting parents know in advance as early as possible if you're unwell

  • Being flexible when unexpected changes happen

Reliability builds trust and shows you are a true professional.   

Great Nannies Keep Spaces Tidy 

While your main focus is the children, a tidy environment is part of being a great nanny.  It's helpful to 

  • Clean up toys and play areas after use

  • Wipe down kitchen benches and put dishes away after meals and snacks

  • Tidy any mess made during your time with the kids 

If extra light household tasks are part of the role (e.g., like folding laundry or preparing food) parents will always appreciate this.  

Great Nannies Are Safety Consious 

Safety always comes first.  A great nanny:

  • Knows what to do in case of an emergency

  • Is trained in First Aid and CPR (or willing to complete a first aid course)

  • Understands the importance of supervising closely and managing risks inside and outside the home.  

Being safety-conscious helps you stay calm and confident in any situation.

Great Nannies Promote Child Development

Being aware of child development ages and stages is valuable.  Whether you're working with a baby, toddler, or school-aged child, you bring a thoughtful approach to your role. Great nannies:

  • Bring ideas of how to support different stages of development

  • Create opportunities for learning through play, stories, and activities for kids

  • Make everyday tasks educational -  like taking turns in conversation, naming objects, sorting colours, counting steps, or measuring ingredients. 

You know that small moments can lead to big learning.

Great Nannies Partner with Parents

Every family has different values, priorities and parenting styles.   Some families are focused on order and routines, others are more relaxed and flexible.  A great nanny knows how to adapt to the family's style and their preferences. A great nanny: 

  • Respects and follows the family's house rules, routines and the values that the parents have shared

  • Reinforces boundaries consistently with the kids, based on the parents guidelines

  • Understands that while you're in charge when parents are away, you work in partnership with them

This teamwork between parents and nannies helps create consistency and security for the children.

Great Nannies Promote Co-Regulation

Co-regulation is the process of helping a child manage their emotions by staying calm, connected, and supportive in moments of stress or big feelings. It's especially important for young children, who haven’t yet developed the ability to regulate emotions on their own. Great nannies support co-regulation by responding with empathy and consistency. Here’s how you can do this

  • Stay calm in the moment – Even when a child is upset, use a calm voice and steady body language help the child feel secure.

  • Name the emotion – Say things like “I can see you’re feeling really frustrated” or “That made you sad, didn’t it?” to help children build awareness of their feelings

  • Role Model coping strategies – Together do some deep breathing, counting slowly, or taking a break to calm down, so the child learns these strategies

  • Stick to routines – Predictable schedules help children feel safe and less stresssed. 

  • Be patient – Some days are tougher than others. Everyone has days where they are tired or upset.  Be patient and know that tomorrow will be a better day! 

By offering your kindness, support and a calm presence, you’re teaching children how to manage big feelings in a healthy way. This is one of the most powerful things a nanny can do.

Great Nannies Maintain Privacy

As a nanny, you may be part of some very personal moments in a family’s life - from first words to tough transitions. A great nanny:

  • Keeps all of the family information private and confidential.  

  • Respects boundaries around the home, does not enter the parents spaces. 

  • Understands that parents may confide in you, and handles that trust with discretion. 

  • Does not share family photos on social media without parents permission.   

A great nanny is a valued part of the family and home, so maintaining confidentiality is crucial.  

Great Nannies are Remembered

Many nannies form deep bonds with the chidren and families they work for.  Some of them become a close connection for life.  A great nanny:

  • Builds trust and connection with both kids and parents

  • Leaves a lasting, positive impression long after the role ends

Whether you’re with a family for six months or six years, the impact you have is real.  You will be treasured by the children and valued by the parents for the significant role you've played in their lives.  

Ready to become a great nanny for a family?

If you’re passionate about childcare and ready to connect with families who value you and your work, we’d love to help you find your next role. 

Click here to find lots of great nanny jobs!

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