Duties include tending to the child's basic physical needs, meal planning and preparation, laundry and clothing care, organization of play activities and outings, discipline, intellectual stimulation, language activities and transportation. Housekeeping responsibilities are primarily child-related. A nanny must be able to communicate with both children and parents. Depending on the individual family, the nanny may be treated as a family member, an employee or a cherished friend. A nanny must have completed high school or the equivalent.
Every nanny is different.
A nanny can be as young as 18, or more than 70 years old. Most are female, but some are male. Training and experience vary. What all qualified nannies share is their genuine respect for and love of children, and their desire for a good respectful position with a family. This nanny may have a job that doesn't offer the same personal rewards nannies experience in caring for children, or the nanny may be taking a break from college or postponing a long-term commitment to another career.