b'7 8 9KNOW YOUR STUFF TREND WATCH CERTIFICATIONSMost nannies are amazing caregivers In any given geographical area, More than training, certifications areand instinctively know the basics, like trends influence the nanny market. earned credentials that demonstratethe importance of play in a child\'s About 10 years ago, there was a your mastery of a specific skill orday, how to prepare a nutritious high demand for "niche nannies" or knowledge base. For example, youmeal, and how neutralize a meltdown nannies who specialized in a may take a water safety class andin two minutes flat. But to increase specific area, like caring for twins,get a certificate of completion, butyour asking price, take it a steptoddlers, or for children with high to be a certified lifeguard, you needfurther and strive to understand and needs. Today, in many markets, to not only take a class but also passcommunicate to the parents how there is a demand for nanny/family a standardized test through anchild development drives your daily managers. Knowing the trends in accrediting body like the Red Cross.interactions with the children. Being a your area by staying connected to Gaining certifications in CPR, firstnanny requires more than providing your local nanny community and aid, lifeguarding, or as a Childcustodial care. Nannies who earn the parents will help you understand Passenger Safety Technicianbig bucks have a working knowledge what roles are in demand. When you demonstrate that you are proficientof child development and can know what people want in a in that area and add value to yourprovide important insights to parents provider, you\'re better poised to services.regarding why they do what they do deliver.with their children each day. Being a nanny requires more thanproviding custodial care. Nannies who earnthe big bucks have a working knowledge ofchild development.10 GET A MENTOR Every nanny needs an experienced nanny in their life. Find yourself a mentor that you can trust to help guide you through yourcareer.Making more money doesnt happen on accident. It comes with a goal-focused plan that must be worked and reworked.A mentor can help you map out the next steps in your career and support you along the way. Look for a nanny who you admire andask that nanny how they got to where they are. You can find a nanny mentor at an industry conference, a nanny get-together,through the International Nanny Association, or through the mentorship option on some of the nanny related Facebook groups. Atrusted mentor is invaluable. In addition to professional advice, they can provide key constructive suggestions for your personalchallenges that will pay off in a big way.SUE DOWNEYSue Downey is a nanny and has been since she accidentally found the profession 25 years ago. Shestarted out as a live-out nanny caring for four boys in Cincinnati, Ohio, and then moved to the Philadelphiaarea as a live-in nanny and has stayed in the suburbs of Philly ever since. Sue has worked with many kindsof families and has cared for children of all ages, birth through teens. In her spare time, Sue works on afewnanny-relatedprojectsincludingNannypalooza,interNationalNannyTrainingDay,andOurNannyDiary, which she co-founded. Sue has led workshops at the INA conference, NAEYC conference, andNannypalooza, as well as at local and regional gatherings.Sues full-time job is caring for a family justoutside of Philadelphia, where she spends her days trying to not step on Legos, playing dragons, andreading the same book over and over and over again and loving every minute of it all!14Spring 2020|NannyMag.com'