A nanny is a person who provides child care. Typically, this care is given within the children’s family setting.
What is the age limit for a nanny?
Most babysitters start working between the ages of 11 to 14 years old but in most places, there is no legal minimum age required to babysit. You can take a Red Cross babysitting course starting at age 11. If parents consider you responsible enough to offer you a job then you are old enough.
Do nannies clean house?
A nanny is most commonly going to care for everything related to your child. This will commonly include cooking their meals and cleaning up after the child’s messes. But it is NOT common for a nanny to take care of other assorted chores and housework.
What do nannies do all day?
Typically, nanny responsibilities include everything that correlates to the care of the children in her charge. This can include preparing meals for the children, clothing them, providing mental stimulation for them, doing laundry for the children, and reinforcing appropriate discipline.
Career Requirements
| Education | None; associate’s degree and/or certifications in early childcare preferred |
| Certification | CPR and first aid certification common; voluntary certifications available |
| Experience | Varies by position |
| Key Skills | Strong communication and instructional skills; patience and stamina |
| Additional Requirements | 18+ years old; good health, up to date on immunizations, and negative TB test; pass background and drug tests |
| Salary | R 504853.04(February 2020 median for nannies) |
Below are steps to Become A Nanny In South Africa
Step 1: Gain Experience in Child Care
Nannies should have as much experience as possible working with children, either through babysitting, daycare, teaching, or personal experience as a parent or a member of a large family.
The amount of experience required will vary significantly from one family to another.
Collect references: As you build experience, you should collect references and letters of recommendation from the families, centers, or schools you work with. Having solid references and accurate, up-to-date contact information will make it easier for a family to verify your experience.
Volunteer with children: Volunteering through an organization that works with children, such as at a hospital or an after-school program, may expand your career opportunities. Volunteer work will also provide references and experience.
Step 2: Earn an Associate’s Degree
A degree is not typically required, but some families may look favorably upon applicants who hold a college degree in early childhood education. An associate’s degree program in this field can provide knowledge of child behavior, development, and special needs.
Attend parenting classes or lectures: You might benefit from attending lectures related to child development or from taking parenting classes, in addition to earning a degree. Lectures and parenting classes will teach you valuable communication and skills to use when working with children.
Step 3: Join a Professional Organization
Joining a professional organization for nannies can be highly beneficial since organizations often have a wide variety of resources available to members that can help advance their career.
For example, the International Nanny Association (INA) provides access to continuing education information, mentoring programs, and other services. Additionally, the INA offers two professional exams for members.
Step 4: Obtain Additional Credentials
Completing the Child Development Associate (CDA) program offered by the Council for Professional Recognition can help you stand out as professionals in the field. This national credentialing program assesses a person’s knowledge and abilities in childcare.
To earn the title of CDA, you must be competent in a variety of areas, such as safety, health, teaching, communication, creativity, socialization, family child care, and management.
Skills Needed To Become A Nanny
Alongside a passion for working with children and young people, and a genuine interest in the wellbeing and development of others, there are other certain skills that you should possess in order to become a good nanny. We have listed those essential skills below:
Patience – remember that you will often be working with very young children, perhaps more than one so patience is something that you will need to have in good amount.
Kind and sensitive – you will need to be approachable to children, and this means being kind and sensitive to the daily problems and upsets that may arise.
Good communicator – You will need to be understanding and friendly, as well as being a clear communicator. The need for easy communication between nanny and child is paramount, as is great communication with parents, as they will want to know all about their children’s day.
Ability to work well under pressure – If you are looking after one or more children, as well as cooking, cleaning and minding the pets you will need the ability not only to multitask but to perform well under pressure.
How do I become a nanny in South Africa?
According to the ANA’s new national standards nannies and in home carers must:
Be a minimum of 18 years of age.
Hold a current Australian First Aid and CPR Certificate.
Hold a Working with Children Check.
Hold a National Police check.
Be able to supply at least two current contactable nanny or child care referees.
What qualifies you as a nanny in South Africa ?
There is no degree required to become a nanny, but an associate’s degree and/or specialized certifications in early childcare development may help with career advancement. CPR and first aid certification are commonly required, though. Nannies are typically required to be at least 18 years old.
Do you need qualifications to be a nanny in South Africa ?
Being a nanny can be a very fulfilling job and indeed a vocation. A nanny is an extremely important and influential part of a family’s life and is trusted by the parents with the most precious things they have their children. There are no legal qualifications required to become a nanny
What education is needed to be a nanny in South Africa ?
There are no standard education requirements for nannies. Some employers consider related experience and the ability to care for children, cook, clean and get along well with others more important than formal education
What a nanny should not do?
To make sure you get hired — and keep getting hired — here are 12 things you should never, ever do while babysitting.
Don’t take the kids out of the home without permission.
Don’t take or post photos of the kids.
Don’t be on your phone.
Don’t smoke, drink or do drugs.
Don’t make the family’s business public.
What is the age limit for a nanny in South Africa ?
Most babysitters start working between the ages of 11 to 14 years old but in most places, there is no legal minimum age required to babysit. You can take a Red Cross babysitting course starting at age 11. If parents consider you responsible enough to offer you a job then you are old enough.
What do nannies do all day?
Typically, nanny responsibilities include everything that correlates to the care of the children in her charge. This can include preparing meals for the children, clothing them, providing mental stimulation for them, doing laundry for the children, and reinforcing appropriate discipline.
Do nannies need to pay taxes in South Africa ?
Nannies are professional careers who look after children on a regular basis in the children’s home. You need to formalize a nanny’s employment with an employment contract. You must meet certain legal requirements if you employ a nanny – for example, pay rates, superannuation, leave and taxation.
Do nannies cook for the family in South Africa ?
Cook family meals every night. (cooking for children is a typical job responsibility.) Some nannies love to cook and you may pay a nanny extra for cooking dinner for your family. In other situations the nanny may do something very simple such as put a roast or some potatoes in the oven.