Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Nanny

🎯 Role Definition

A Nanny provides dedicated, in-home childcare and development support for infants, toddlers, and children. This role includes safety supervision, planning and delivering age-appropriate learning activities, meal and nutrition management, transportation to activities, coordination with parents and external providers, basic household tasks related to the children, and documentation of developmental milestones. Nannies often act as trusted partners to families, maintaining confidentiality, consistency of routines, and open communication.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Babysitter or Mother’s helper with progressive responsibilities
Childcare assistant or preschool aide
Au pair or live-in childcare helper

Advancement To:

Senior/Lead Nanny or Family Household Manager
Private Family Childcare Director / Nanny Manager for multiple households
Certified Early Childhood Educator or Preschool Lead Teacher
Postpartum Doula or Child Development Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Part-time tutor or homeschool support
Childcare consultant or nanny trainer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop and implement daily schedules and routines tailored to each child’s age and developmental stage, including wake/sleep cycles, feeding times, educational play, outdoor time, and naptime, to promote healthy physical, emotional, and cognitive growth.
Plan, prepare, and serve nutritionally balanced meals and snacks that meet dietary restrictions and parental preferences; introduce age-appropriate table manners and independence with eating.
Provide hands-on infant care including safe feeding (bottle or breastfeeding support as directed), diaper changes, soothing techniques, sleep coaching for newborns and infants, and monitoring growth and development.
Design and lead age-appropriate creative, sensory, motor, and cognitive activities (arts and crafts, story time, music and movement, fine motor play) that support milestones and prepare children for preschool or school.
Supervise children at all times, ensuring a safe environment by performing routine safety checks, using age-appropriate safety equipment (car seats, gates), and enforcing household safety rules.
Administer medications, monitor allergies and health concerns per parental instructions and written plans, and maintain a log of medications, symptoms, and doctor visits.
Transport children safely to and from school, lessons, playdates, and appointments, practicing safe driving habits, maintaining required car seats, and coordinating schedules with parents.
Support toilet training and hygiene routines with consistent methods, positive reinforcement, and clear communication with parents about progress and challenges.
Provide homework help, school readiness activities, reading practice, and early literacy/numeracy support for preschool and school-aged children, collaborating with parents and teachers as needed.
Maintain detailed records of daily activities, feeding and sleep logs, developmental observations, milestones, and any incidents; provide regular updates to parents verbally and in writing.
Implement positive behavior guidance strategies, model appropriate social skills, de-escalation techniques, and age-appropriate discipline consistent with family values and plans.
Plan and supervise playdates, enrichment classes, outdoor activities, and outings that foster socialization, gross motor development, and healthy screen-time boundaries.
Prepare, pack, and maintain children’s bags, school supplies, snacks, and clothing; perform child-related laundry and keep children’s rooms, play areas, and common spaces tidy and sanitized.
Coordinate care with external providers (pediatricians, therapists, tutors, schools), attend appointments as requested, and follow up on therapies or individualized education plans.
Provide overnight care and be available for occasional evening or weekend shifts, ensuring continuity of routines and readiness for emergencies during on-call periods when required.
Support bilingual language exposure or specific developmental programs under parental guidance by integrating language practice into daily activities.
Assist with onboarding and mentoring of part-time caregivers, babysitters, or nursery staff to maintain consistency of care and routines across caregivers.
Prepare children for transitions (new sibling, starting school, travel) through structured support, age-appropriate explanations, and establishing reassuring routines.
Maintain strict confidentiality regarding family life, schedules, finances, and personal information; demonstrate discretion and professionalism at all times.
Manage household inventory for children’s needs—diapers, formula, medications, cleaning supplies—and communicate supply needs or shop for items as requested by parents.
Respond to emergencies and provide immediate first aid; contact parents and emergency services when necessary, and follow family emergency protocols.
Support family travel by caring for children during trips, managing packing lists for children, adhering to travel safety standards, and coordinating logistics with parents.
Create and execute seasonal plans (summer activities, educational holiday projects, safety in hot/cold weather) and adapt routine for weather, holidays, or special family events.
Encourage independence through age-appropriate chores and responsibilities, such as dressing, tidying toys, and table clearing, reinforcing life skills and self-confidence.

Secondary Functions

Run child-related errands (grocery pickup for children’s meals, pharmacy runs, dropping items at school) and help coordinate household vendor appointments related to the children.
Maintain and sanitize toys, feeding equipment, and play surfaces; rotate educational toys to support stimulation and reduce clutter.
Assist with light household tasks tied directly to child care (cleaning high-chairs, bathing children’s linens and clothes, preparing children’s meals) to maximize time spent on childcare activities.
Maintain a shared digital calendar for appointments, activities, vaccination schedules, and school events; remind parents of upcoming commitments and deadlines.
Support family organization by labeling and rotating seasonal clothing, preparing items for babysitters, and producing checklists for parents for kid-focused outings.
Track childcare expenses and provide receipts or summaries to parents when requested, adhering to household financial protocols.
Coordinate with other household staff (housekeeper, cook, driver) to ensure efficient scheduling and consistent routines for the children.
Participate in occasional family meetings to review schedules, goals for child development, and to adjust responsibilities or expectations.
Provide light tutoring or supplemental educational support during school closures, holidays, or remote learning periods as needed.
Assist with kid-focused event planning (birthday parties, educational outings) including vendor coordination and on-site supervision.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

CPR and Pediatric First Aid certification (infant and child) — current and verifiable.
Infant care expertise: safe sleep practices, feeding (breastfeeding support/bottle prep), colic soothing, and newborn routines.
Toddler and preschool developmental knowledge: milestone recognition, play-based learning, and preschool readiness activities.
Medication administration and allergy management according to written parental instructions and care plans.
Car seat installation and child passenger safety; clean driving record and comfort transporting children.
Basic food safety, nutritional meal planning, and preparation of child-friendly meals and snacks (including special diets/allergies).
Potty training strategies and hygiene instruction experience.
Behavior management techniques using positive reinforcement, redirection, and developmentally appropriate discipline methods.
Experience with documentation tools: daily logs, activity journals, developmental tracking, and digital communication apps for parents (e.g., Brightwheel, HiMama, Wunderlist).
Ability to follow individualized education or therapy plans (e.g., speech or occupational therapy homework) and implement recommended exercises at home.
Light household management skills directly related to children: toy sanitization, child laundry, tidying play spaces.
Multilingual or bilingual abilities (preferred in many families), especially Spanish, French, Mandarin, or other family-preferred languages.

Soft Skills

Exceptional communication skills: clear, timely updates to parents, active listening, and professional written reporting.
High emotional intelligence with empathy, patience, and an ability to remain calm during stress or tantrums.
Reliability and punctuality with strong time-management and schedule adherence.
Trustworthiness, discretion, and respect for family privacy and household boundaries.
Flexibility and adaptability to changing family schedules, travel, and evolving child needs.
Proactive problem solving and the ability to anticipate children’s needs before being asked.
Cultural sensitivity and respect for family values, routines, and parenting philosophies.
Coaching and mentoring ability for less-experienced caregivers or babysitters.
Professionalism in representing the family in public and maintaining appropriate conduct on social media and public appearances.
Strong observational skills to identify developmental concerns or health issues and to communicate effectively with parents and healthcare providers.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent; proven hands-on childcare experience and strong references required.

Preferred Education:

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Nursing, or related field.
Relevant certifications: Early Childhood Education credential, Infant Care Specialist, or Certified Nanny training.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Early Childhood Education
Child Development
Nursing or Pediatric Nursing
Psychology (child-focused)
Family Studies

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–7+ years of professional childcare experience, including direct experience with the child age group required (infant, toddler, preschool, school-aged).

Preferred:

Prior private nanny experience with verifiable references and background checks.
Experience with newborns and postpartum support, including night feeds and parental coaching.
Experience supporting children with special needs, behavioral plans, or therapeutic programs (preferred depending on family needs).