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Nanny

Nannies are responsible for the care, well-being and education of children in the home.

Tasks & duties

Depending on the number and ages of the children being cared for and the hours of work, a nanny may do some or all of the following:

support the children's development, learning, interests and needs in consultation with their parents
be responsible for practical caring skills, such as feeding, washing and dressing children when necessary
plan and maintain a tidy, healthy and safe home environment
organise and supervise the children's daily activities
plan for and provide relevant play experiences
keep a diary of daily experiences (for example, in a nanny book)
care for sick children in the home
wash and iron children's clothes
shop and prepare family meals
drive children to and from kindergarten, school or other activities
supervise and help children with homework

Skills & knowledge

Nannies need to have:

the ability to relate with sensitivity and care to infants, toddlers and young children
a sound knowledge of children's learning and development
a knowledge and understanding of the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum, Te Whāriki
a current first aid and CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) qualification
observational skills and the ability to supervise children in large areas
the ability to guide children's behaviour in a positive manner
good communication and listening skills with children and adults
general housekeeping skills
problem-solving and decision-making skills
time-management, planning and organisational skills

Entry requirements

Many employers prefer nannies to have a tertiary qualification, such as a Certificate in Nanny Education. However, work is also available for non-qualified nannies.