When it comes to providing top-quality care for children, the role of a nanny is both essential and multifaceted. Whether you're a family seeking the best care for your little ones or a professional looking to build a career in childcare, understanding the duties, skills, and compensation for a nanny is crucial.

A nanny is much more than a babysitter. Nannies are professional caregivers responsible for the day-to-day well-being and development of children, providing a stable, nurturing environment that supports the child's physical, emotional, and intellectual growth. They can be live-in or live-out, work part-time or full-time, and their responsibilities can vary depending on the specific needs of the family.

As experts in nanny recruitment, let’s take a look at what it truly means to be a nanny, the skills required for the role, and how compensation varies depending on location. For more on the difference between a nanny, a family assistant or a governess, read our blog here.

What Does a Nanny Do? Duties and Responsibilities

Nannies take on a wide range of tasks that contribute to a child’s overall development, from providing direct care to managing various aspects of the child’s daily routine. While each family’s requirements may vary, some of the most common responsibilities include:

1. Childcare and Supervision

At the core of a nanny's job is providing direct supervision and care to children. This includes:

Feeding children and preparing nutritious meals or snacks
Assisting with personal hygiene, including bathing, dressing, and potty training
Managing nap and sleep schedules to ensure proper rest
Ensuring a safe and secure environment at all times, both inside the home and during outdoor activities

2. Educational Support and Development

Nannies often contribute to a child’s intellectual and emotional growth by:

Engaging in age-appropriate educational activities, such as reading, puzzles, and arts and crafts
Assisting with homework and school projects (for older children)
Encouraging physical activities, whether through play, walks, or sports
Promoting positive social interactions and emotional development by teaching good manners, patience, and empathy

3. Household Management (Child-Related Tasks)

In addition to caring for the children, nannies often take on tasks related to the child’s environment, such as:

Organizing children’s play areas and keeping their rooms tidy
Managing laundry related to the children, including washing, folding, and putting away clothes
Maintaining a schedule for extracurricular activities, playdates, and appointments
Assisting with transporting children to school, activities, and appointments

4. Communication with Parents

A good nanny keeps open communication with parents, ensuring they are aware of their child's progress and any concerns. This includes:

Providing regular updates on the child's activities, behavior, and development
Discussing any changes in routines or needs
Collaborating with parents to maintain consistent care and discipline practices

What Skills Do You Need to Be a Top Nanny?

Being a successful nanny requires more than just a love for children. It demands a unique set of skills, ranging from practical childcare abilities to emotional intelligence. Below are the key skills that top-tier nannies possess:

Children require attention, patience, and empathy. Nannies must be able to handle emotional outbursts and misbehavior in a calm and caring manner, while remaining consistent with discipline and rules.
Managing schedules, appointments, and a child's daily routine requires a nanny to be highly organized. This includes multitasking, planning meals, arranging activities, and keeping things on track throughout the day.
Being able to clearly communicate with both children and parents is critical. A nanny should be able to provide updates to parents and explain situations involving the children while also nurturing effective, positive communication with the children in their care.
Families’ needs can change from day to day, and nannies often need to adapt to shifting schedules or unexpected events. The ability to remain flexible while keeping a positive attitude is essential.
Nannies should be creative in how they keep children engaged. Coming up with fun and educational activities that are both entertaining and enriching is key to maintaining a positive environment for the child.
Having knowledge of basic first aid and being CPR-certified is often a requirement for nannies. In case of an emergency, a nanny must know how to handle injuries or health concerns promptly and efficiently.

What Does a Nanny Earn on Average?

Nanny salaries can vary widely based on location, experience, and the scope of responsibilities.

As of October 2024, you should expect to pay at lest $30/hour for a nanny.

But if you have a unique set of needs, or expect a particular set of skills (e.g. foreign language skills, educational background, house manager or personal assistant experience etc). you should expect to pay more.

If you choose to work with an agency, like MHM, then you should expect that they will consult with you about market rates and the skillsets that you are looking for, some of which will command a higher hourly rate than $30/hour. At MHM, we fully staff homes and cater to UHNW clients that may need to hire butlers, private chefs, house managers and more in addition to a nanny.

If you’re looking to hire the best in household staffing, find out more about what benefits you should expect to offer alongside a salary.

Why Register with My Household Managed?

At MHM, we specialize in connecting top talent with luxury households in Chicago, Miami, and Palm Beach. Whether you’re a family looking for the perfect nanny to nurture and care for your children, or a nanny seeking a rewarding position in a prestigious home, we can help.

For Families Looking to Hire a Nanny:

If you’re a high-net-worth family looking to hire a dedicated, professional nanny, our agency offers a carefully vetted selection of candidates who are experienced in providing superior childcare. Register with us today to find a nanny that will bring stability, care, and expertise to your home.

For Candidates Applying to Nanny Positions:

Are you an experienced nanny looking for a position in Chicago, Miami, or Palm Beach? Apply with us today to access some of the best nanny jobs in the market. We work with top families seeking professionals like you to fill key roles in their households.

Nannies play a vital role in supporting and shaping the lives of children, and for many of the families we work with they are an indispensable role in their household.

If you're looking for a nanny who can offer personalized, professional care, or if you are a nanny seeking a prestigious role in a luxury home, My Household Managed is here to help.

Find out more about our services here.