Australia is home to around 1.5 million preschool children. That’s lots of youngsters who require care before they begin full-time education from 5 years old.
Not all parents and carers want to use a daycare facility to look after children while they work. Others have children too old for daycare, yet they still need support outside school hours. A Nanny gives working parents the option of personalised care for their juniors while working, and here’s the good news – it is a highly-rewarding career with jobs very much in demand.
This article explores the role of a nanny in depth, including how to become a nanny and the qualifications needed to land a job.
How to Become a Nanny
So, you have decided to work with young children as a Nanny. How do you get started? There are a few things to consider about becoming a Nanny, like what skills you need and any formal study requirements.
Nanny Skills
First, give some thought to the personal Nanny skills required to do the job well.
Patience is an absolute must when working with children, some who are yet to learn to speak – and others who can verbalise their feelings all too well! Staying calm and patient will help children learn to express themselves confidently in your company, building a good relationship between both parties.
Strong communication skills are necessary to a Nanny, who may be helping a young child to understand instructions or guiding an older child with their homework tasks.
The ability to nurture is another must-have skill for Nannies, who act as a primary carer to a single child or several for multiple hours a day. To a degree, you are covering the role of a parent, and it helps if you have a natural caring side that children respond to effectively.
A friendly persona is another Nanny requirement. A child needs to feel warm and happy in your company, and a smile goes a long way to helping children feel settled and comfortable in your presence.
You also need good physical and mental health.
Nanny Certification
In addition to personal skills, there are lots of practical skills designed to help you master the role of Nanny successfully.
Having a formal qualification before becoming a Nanny in Australia is not a legal requirement. That said, it is well known that the CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is the best qualification to obtain those practical Nanny skills considered necessary for the role.
Learn more about becoming a Nanny
Benefits of Studying a Nanny Qualification
Study to become a Nanny and you will benefit from the following:
- An enriching career helping societies youngest to learn and develop
- Practical skills in your kitbag to support young children successfully
- Plenty of job opportunities for approximately 1.5 million children in need
- A competitive salary up to $65k per annum (according to Seek)
- Ability to develop into the field of childcare provision and leadership
Learn more about the benefits of working in childcare
What are the Main Nanny Requirements?
Being a Nanny is a varied role which draws on many different skills. Above everything, you are providing care to a child, and this is a big responsibility.
Your role as a Nanny requires the following tasks:
- supervising children of all ages and keeping them safe
- preparing children’s meals, snacks and baby bottles
- clothing children ready for their day ahead
- bathing and putting children to bed
- taking preschool children out on excursions
- helping with basic reading and writing
- washing clothes, cleaning the house and preparing family meals
Nanny Qualifications
To become a Nanny, it is highly recommended you complete this qualification:
CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
It is not mandatory to becoming a Nanny but will provide you with many advanced skills beneficial to progressing your career.
The certificate includes all the right training to get started as a Nanny in Australia. It is also a pathway course to further study should you wish to continue your training later, such as completing the CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care – which can open up even more incredible work opportunities in this sector.
Regardless of tertiary qualifications, anybody working as a Nanny requires a National Police Certificate and a Working with Children Check.
Learn more about the requirements to work in childcare
CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
This qualification is recommended to anyone wanting to progress their career as a Nanny.
The course consists of 17 units of competency (fifteen core and two electives). Each unit of study helps you to understand the fundamentals about children’s well-being, education and care. You will also learn about first aid, health and safety and working with food.
After completing the course, you will have a formal qualification that enables you to perform many different roles as well as a Nanny – including an Early Childhood Educator, Family Day Care Educator or Playgroup Supervisor.
Explore CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
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Contact our support team if you have questions about studying CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
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