Questions about how to become a Nanny or Babysitter

Just curious... how does someone actually 'become' a nanny or a babysitter these days?

I was interested when I read your post Margot-in-Oz to hear that there is such a thing as 'mother-nannies', - as I was having this exact conversation tonight, about how I wouldn't mind trying some nanny or babysitting work, but I'm not sure how that ties in with having your own child. I had never heard of a 'mother-nanny' before until you mentioned it!

Also, do you need to get any qualifications or become a certified child-carer or something?
Obviously you would need a blue card? and Frist Aid qualifications.
But is there anything else that is needed?
And how do you go about getting work if you don't actually have any references cause you have never been a nanny before...
What did others do when they started out for the first time?

I have been seriously considering this, as DP and I are in a bit of financial hardship atm, and I really want to bring some money home as well, without having to put Aidyn into childcare.

hi ambah

i am probably not much help here, but will try lol

here in melb or vic anyway we have what they call family day care and you look after i think up to a max of 4 children (not sure if that also includes your own) i am positive it is run through the council, so maybe give your local council a call - i am sure they have family day care in qld, i seem to remember my sil using it years ago when her ones were little.

i think you definately need first aid cert and a police check but not sure on the other qualifications.

good luck hope you can do it.

Hi Ambah,

I had never heard of mother nannies before also, until I started to do internet searches about nanny agencies etc. I think it's a fabulous idea - as it's cheaper than paying for a full time nanny.

I was actually a nanny during uni days - back then I didn't have any quals, training or even a first aid certificate. I just answered an ad in the Courier Mail and got on really well with the mother and kids during the first meeting (the girls were primary school age).

As I had babysat for my cousin's kids, I got a reference from my cousin, just so I had 'something'.

These days, you would probably need to register with a nanny/babysitting agency for work - there's quite a few in Brisbane (just do a google search).

Some require more quals than others. You may need to start with babysitting, if you don't have nanny training. And I don't see a problem with taking your own child along.

Good luck - it's a great idea!

Margot.

Like Michelle said Ambah, Family Day Care is a good idea. You do it in your own home with a few kids being dropped off & picked up. The only thing is that they will want to inspect the house to make sure it's suitable first - you have to have x amount of indoor space & x amount of outdoor space. Depending on what space you have they will say you can have 1, 2, 3 or whatever kids at a time....

My mum used to do it while all of us girls were at school, before my youngest brother went to school.

Ambah - What I did to become a Nanny is back in 1993 - I went to a Nanny/Childcare School where I gained my certificate. Yes you`ll need a first aid certificate as well. I then applied through Agencies and put my name down - a lot of parents are far more concerned about the actual person they are interviewing rather then the qualifications etc which of course is understandable they are leaving you in charge of their own children. I once worked for Bob Baldwin MP and his 3 children. I`m sure some of the agencies didn`t require any qualifications - perhaps you could ring around the agencies in your area and find out.

I`m actually working as a Child Care Worker at the moment, not centre based but community based where each term I go to different areas, I look after the children with normally 1 other lady while the parents sit in a class and get taught how to cope with different situations with their children. This might even be worth a go for you, I know down here they don`t require qualifications or even a first aid certificate and you can take your own childrenm with you. They are Family Support Services Inc if you`d like to enquire.

HTH

Take Care

Deeanne

#-o I forgot to mention the police checks - Ellen reminded me.

Ellen - Do you have Family Support Services Inc in your area?? I only do 3hr days and get paid $17 per hour for it plus petrol allowance if I have to travel over a certain distance. They didn`t require an interview with me, rang me up one afternoon asked me to work I was there the next morning and that was 2.5 years ago, I don`t think I`ll ever go back to an agency as the pay is quite low considering I`m doing the same thing now at $17 per hour actually I find it much easier.

I would have continued to work up to 36weeks I was booked in to do it but found bending and picking things up from the floor a major problem so thought I`ll let this term bypass and will go back probably in term 3 with my little man.

Take Care

Deeanne

Hey
You can do either a child care certificate course (about 1 year) or specialised nanny courses. Yes, you also need your first aide, police check and expereience/refereneces.
I worked as a nanny before having ashlea, then worked for another family taking ashlea along, but that family came specifically to me and asked me to work for them. Because I was in a position where i didnt need the work, i could make all the calls, and said i would only do it if Ashlea can come cause I refuse to work more than 2 days a week without her. They had no problem with it at all.
The problem is that not alot of people want you dragging your kids there too. They like their children being your priority and see having your child there as their own missing out somewhat. They are paying you to look after their kids, not yours, IYKWIM?
Agency's would never advertise a mother nanny, and like the experience or certificate. They usually pay between $14 -$18 a hour depending on how many kids, ages etc
You could advertise babysitting, but once again, not sure if people would want you to bring your own child. If you get an understanding family its great.
Home care is a great idea, not sure about the qualifications, i think they need references and a police check and first aide Cert. If you do it through the council then they have to come and check your place to make sure its up to standards, sometimes you have to do a few things, gates to the kictchen, check fences etc. They pay is less than babysitting or nannying, but for stay at home parents, a lot more suitable.

Good luck with it all!

I can add also that Family Day Care would personally be my choice if we need to use Chil Care after this baby is born, as I feel more comfortable with it.
But I know a lady from DD's school was looking into it thru the local council & they came out to her house to inspect it, she would have had to renovate & change things & have locks etc in her house & would have cost her in excess of $15,000 to have been eligible...
But give your local council a call to find out what is needed, my sister is a nanny & did a course many many years ago, she works for a number of families all in their own homes, takes her own child that is not yet at school & enjoys it!

Good Luck Ambah!

Hi guys
I am a Children's Services Officer with Family Day Care and I have been in this role for 8 years. Prior to that I worked in Long Day Care. I am expecting my first child in 8 weeks. I would definately choose FDC over LDC based on my own personal experience and the fact that I don't feel babies get the one to one attention they need in a LDC centre. Becoming a FDC carer is not for everyone but if you have the patience and experience with young children and you would like to stay at home and still earn an income, whilst choosing the days and hours you wish to work, then FDC can be a very rewarding experience. There can be a lot involved in the registration process due to the regulations and policies but this is a positive thing as you are looking after someone's precious child and you want the reassurance that you are leaving your child in the care of a suiotable person who will provide high quality care.

I used to be a Family Day Care child care worker and I wouldn't recommend it to anybody simply because the money is so bad. It is different in every state, however. But where I am it was $2.54 per hour when I started and when I left it was $3.10 per hour per child. Child care is hard work and woman should get paid for what they deserve.

I would be more inclined to go private. I think you would need to register so parents can claim child care benefit and as long as you have a first aid certificate you shouldn't have trouble finding work. Perhaps you could babysit for a friend and ask her to write you a reference?

good luck :D

i also did family day care for a while. i had been working in a child care centre and decided to go out on my own. but as mentioned already, the pay is not very good. as i was not a mother yet myself, i found it to be a big culture shock to have my own private home be made home to other's children.

but i think it is great if you are at home already with your own, you can earn a bit of money by minding other peoples children.

Linda