How to Build Your Online Profile as a Trusted Nanny

ICI UK - Build Your Online Profile

These days most families will search for a nanny online, so building an online profile is essential. Detailing everything from skills and qualifications to experience and your availability will help families determine if you’re the perfect match for their nannying needs.

What does being a nanny involve?

Being a nanny involves caring for children while parents are at work or away, and it can be one of the most rewarding and enjoyable jobs. A nanny can be employed to live-in with the family, or can travel to work each day from their own home. Nannying duties may involve early education; helping with homework; preparing meals; driving children to school, appointments and play dates; and helping with some housework.

But a career in nannying can take you even further. In fact, there’s plenty of opportunities to travel as many amazing European cities are just a short flight away from the UK. Your experience and qualifications gained from nannying can also open up career progression pathways into areas like education and nursing.

If you’re considering entering the world of nannying and want to know more, check outthis ultimate guide to a career in nannying for information on pay expectations and strategies for landing a job.

What to include in your online profile

Websites like Nanny Network and Nanny Job help connect families seeking a nanny to nannies searching for a job, so look to post your resume and create online profiles on websites like this. Here’s what you should include in your online profile:

1. Qualifications

You don’t need formal qualifications to work as a nanny, but most parents will be seeking candidates with recognised formal training. Make sure to include your qualifications in your online profile and use language such as ‘trained’ to show parents you know what you’re doing.

If you’re looking to add qualifications to your profile, check out the Nanny Diploma from the International Career Institute UK. You can learn everything you need to know about the health and safety of young people, child psychology, child development and learning, and more.

Additional skills you may hold, like first aid, CPR, swimming or languages, should also be included in your profile. Knowing you can help their children in an emergency, or teach them a new language or skill, will rank you highly in the eyes of potential employers. Don’t forget to also mention if you have a driver licence, as being able to drive is essential in most nannying jobs for carpooling and school drop offs.

2. Experience

‘Experienced’ is another great buzz word to use on your profile. Specify exactly what experience you’ve had (for example nannying, nursing, teaching or baby sitting), so you can be matched with parents seeking your specific skills and expertise. You should also include how long you’ve worked in each job. This will show parents how reliable you are, and the longer you’ve worked for families in the past, the more committed you’ll appear to prospective employers.

In your experience section you should also include your strengths as a nanny. Honest, reliable and organised are all qualities that parents will look for when reading profiles online. Skills in education, language or music are also ideal for families with children entering primary school. If you’ve taken a few cooking classes and have a good understanding of nutrition, this is also worth mentioning.

3. Wants and needs

It’s important to be on the same page as your employer when it comes to negotiating employment contracts, so having it all out in the open on your profile will ensure you’re matched well with potential employers. Firstly, make sure to include your availability. Are you looking for a part-time roll on weekends or after school? Or are are you looking for a full-time position? This way you’ll only be matched to families that your availability fits with.

You should also mention the preferred ages of children you’d like to work with. Whether you’re experienced in caring for newborn babies, or used to helping older children with their homework, this should be communicated to future employers.

4. References

You should have at least two referees listed on your profile and include their contact information. But make sure to ask previous employers if you can use their details and if they’re willing to be contacted before providing their information online. References are important as they can complement and support the skills and experience already listed on your profile.

Registering with Ofsted

In England you must register with the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted), or a childminder agency, if you’re being paid to care for children under the age of eight for more than two hours a day. Nannies need to have Public Liability Insurance as part of becoming Ofsted Registered.

There’s certain advantages of being a registered nanny. Registering with Ofsted involves getting a DBS check (a police check), CPR training, and a certain level of formal training, so if you’re registered it demonstrates to parents that you’re professional, committed to your career, and willing to undertake training. Families are also drawn to Ofsted registered nannies as they may be able to claim some tax relief for hiring an Ofsted nanny for childcare. So once you become registered with Ofsted, make sure you include it in your online profile.

Getting started

Looking for a job in nannying? It’s time to start putting together your online profile. Many families search for nannies online, so building a reputable profile online with all your skills, experience and education listed will help you land that dream job. And if you’re looking to increase your qualifications, check out the Nanny Diploma from the International Careers Institute UK.

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Gladys Mae

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Gladys Mae serves as the General Manager and Head of Student Services at the International Career Institute. Gladys holds a degree in Mass Communication - Broadcast Media from the University of San Jose-Recoletos. She joined ICI in 2010 and has over the past 12 years been instrumental in providing leadership and guidance to staff and students alike. Prior to joining ICI Gladys led a multifaceted career with key roles in the banking and business process outsourcing industries.