• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Find the Right Nanny

415-669-0809
  • For Families
    • How the Process Works
    • What Makes Us Different
    • Applicant screening process
    • FAQs for Families
    • Referral fees
    • Get Started
  • For Nannies
    • How the Process Works
    • What Makes Us Different
    • Nanny Requirements
    • FAQs for Nannies
    • Newborn care specialists
    • Apply Now
    • Job Board
  • Welcome Families
    • How the Process Works
    • What Makes Us Different
    • Applicant screening process
    • FAQs for Families
    • Referral fees
    • Get Started
  • For Nannies
    • How the Process Works
    • What Makes Us Different
    • Nanny Requirements
    • FAQs for Nannies
    • Newborn care specialists
    • Apply Now
    • Job Board
  • Nanny Services
    • Long Term Placement
    • Part time Placement
    • Newborn care specialists
    • Consultation services
  • About Us
    • Our Vision and Mission
    • FTRN resources
    • Experiences
  • Trust
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

8 Qualities That Every Family Looks For In A Nanny

September, 2022 by Find the Right Nanny In: Blog

Although every family has different needs, they want to make sure that their treasured children are loved and engaged by their nanny. If you’re a nanny, you know that there are certain qualities that parents look for, such as trustworthiness and experience. Did you know that there are some characteristics that every family looks for but might not come across on your resume? Make sure that you discuss these traits in your interview because they’re just as important as your job experience and salary requirements.

Patience

Anyone can exhibit their best qualities in an ideal setting. The real test happens when you’re short on time and high on frustration, which is about 85 percent of a nanny’s work. Kids like to push the limits, and the right nanny must have the patience to stay calm in the face of exasperation.

A Proactive Attitude

The best nannies don’t wait until things become problematic to take charge. If that were the case, they would always be cleaning up messes. A proactive nanny takes care of issues before they derail the day. By doing this, the caregiver is able to engage the children in constructive experiences every day instead of spending time fixing things that went wrong.

Flexibility

Children keep you on your toes. Just when they seem comfortable with a particular schedule, they turn it on its head. If a nanny plans to work for a particular family for several years, he or she will have to grow with the child. This may mean altering bedtimes and working through the shift from naps to no naps.

Flexibility also involves being able to transition easily when the routine changes. If a parent runs out of diapers, is the nanny happy to run to the store to buy more? Can the caregiver pick up the child from a playdate on her way to work? Although employers need to offer some stability when it comes to rules and boundaries, they need a nanny who is flexible enough to roll with the punches.

Genuine Love Of Children

Some nannies are in it for the money, while others are truly passionate about caring for kids. Parents want the kind of caregiver who is invested in more than a paycheck. They need to understand that their nanny needs to make a living and compensate him or her accordingly, but they prefer someone who is interested in enhancing the child’s development through compassionate care, age-appropriate education and positive reinforcement.

Common Sense

We teach children that every action has a consequence. However, many adults haven’t internalized that same kind of common sense. Nannies have to make constant decisions throughout the day, and common sense allows them to handle surprises and follow the right path out of a crisis.

Quick On Your Feet

A nanny doesn’t have to be exceptionally physically active, although families and children appreciate that quality. Caregivers need to be able to think and react quickly because things can go from peaceful to chaotic in a matter of seconds when they’re working with children.

Reliability

Parents rely on their nannies to show up when they say that they will. This means getting to work on time and avoiding calling out sick unless it’s absolutely necessary. Life happens, but if you’re not dependable, your employer will likely start looking for someone who is.

Self-Starter

A dependable nanny takes direction and does what is needed. However, parents are still saddled with the emotional and logistical responsibilities that come with raising a household. The process of coming up with to-do lists and determining what needs to happen on a daily basis can be exhausting even if parents are simply setting the priorities for the nanny. Someone who can take the reins without constant direction is a keeper.

« Previous

Subscribe to Find the Right Nanny

Sign up now to receive a free guide to “Important qualities to look for in a candidate during interviews"

Recent Posts

  • 8 Qualities That Every Family Looks For In A Nanny
  • Save Your Sanity: How Can Stay-At-Parent And The Nanny Get Along?
  • 7 Reasons Why Your Nanny Search Is Going Nowhere
  • Nannies: Parents Super Heroes
  • How To Keep Your Nanny Happy and Long-Term


We provide premium childcare placement for families in the bay area. We specialize in serving all of San Francisco, Atherton, Berkeley, Burlingame, Corte Madera, Danville, Lafayette, Los Altos, Menlo Park,
Mill Valley, Moraga, Mountain View, Napa, Oakland, Orinda, Palo Alto, Piedmont, San Francisco, Sausalito, Walnut Creek, Blackhawk, Hillsborough, Los Altos Hills, and Marin County

Find the Right Nanny
1990 North California Blvd, 8th floor
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Email: info@findtherightnanny.com
Phone number: 415-669-0809

 

Recent Posts

  • 8 Qualities That Every Family Looks For In A Nanny
  • Save Your Sanity: How Can Stay-At-Parent And The Nanny Get Along?
  • 7 Reasons Why Your Nanny Search Is Going Nowhere

Follow Us!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Welcome Families
  • For Nannies
  • Nanny Services
  • About Us
  • Trust
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

© 2023 Find the Right Nanny   ·   Privacy Policy   ·   website by Stormhill Media