Continuing education is one of the topics nannies care about most, alongside fair pay, job security, respect and recognition, clear communication, benefits, and workplace safety.
Professional nannies want to stay on top of the latest child development research to ensure that they can successfully work with their nanny families. As a result, many providers are interested in nanny continuing education and professional development opportunities.
There are SO many positive benefits for both nannies and nanny families when they invest in these opportunities. Below, we share why continuing education matters and how families can support it.
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Nannies want to stay on top of the latest research for child development and working together successfully with their nanny families.
As a result, many nannies are interested in continuing education and professional development opportunities in order to expand upon their knowledge and skill sets.
Offering continuing education opportunities to your nanny can help you to achieve the care you are looking for, it can help to work through any behavioral issues, or coping skills your child or children may need, and it can allow your nanny to best support your family at each stage of your child’s development.
Here are some ways that families can help support a nanny’s interest in continuing education.
Offer Educational Courses Tailored to Your Parenting Philosophies or Those You Would Like to Model in Your Home
Instead of finding a nanny who already possesses those skill sets, perhaps you would like to partner with a nanny who is a good match for your family otherwise, and ask them if they are interested in furthering their education surrounding certain philosophies.
Samples of these philosophies might include gentle parenting, positive discipline, or the montessori method.
If you’re interested in some resources to learn more about these types of opportunities, please check out besproutable.com or the U.S Nanny Association website.
And of course, continuing education does not always need to be about discipline or care philosophies, for example, you could have your nanny take a course on water safety or maybe even nutrition or healthy meal planning.
Ask your nanny if there are any continuing education opportunities, or resources they might be interested in taking.
Your nanny may be interested in bringing a particular knowledge set into your home, or learning more about how they can best support your child’s changing developmental needs.
Your nanny will feel valued and appreciated that you have come to them with an interest in their thoughts and opinions!
Offer To Cover the Cost of Agreed Upon Continuing Education Opportunities for Your Nanny
By offering to cover the cost of agreed upon courses, you can further tailor the individualized level of care for your family to your specific needs.
Taking the time to sit down and discuss continuing education opportunities with your nanny will increase the amount of loyalty and commitment that they feel to your family, and it will enhance the fantastic nanny care that your family receives in the home.
Remember, your nanny is a valued partner in your parenting team.