Make Money As a Nanny in Nigeria

Make Money As a Nanny in Nigeria

Become a Nanny – Are you good with children? Can you multi task around the house? Are you meticulous and have an eye for details? Can you work odd and flexible hours? Do you have the slightest idea you can become a nanny and be self-employed?

Also Read: Daycare Business Plan in Nigeria

Yes you can! Most parents are caught up in very hectic schedules and deadlines, hence nanny jobs are in great demand and highly profitable. So stop being the good neighbor that takes care of everyone else’s kids for free. Start earning money for your services!

Nannies can come from different backgrounds and age groups; from university students to mothers of grown children.  Unlike the daycare centre, a nanny cares for a child in the child’s own home. Some job position may require only a few hours a week during the parents absence, while others will require the nanny to live with the family. The nanny’s duties and responsibilities will depend upon the client’s (family) needs and expectations. A few include; Changing diapers, Bathing, Caring for feeding bottles, Supervising baths for older children, Dressing children to suit the child’s activities, Laundry of children’s clothes, Planning and preparing meals/snacks for children, Supervising children’s meals and cleaning up after, Shopping, Preparing and coordinating children’s activities, School run, Undertaking proper creative, educational activities with the children, Teaching correct discipline to the children, Running light errands around the house, etc.

A nanny must be: flexible, emotional mature, have good communication skills, ability to multi task, good judgment, organizational skills, high stress tolerance and a high energy level.

Before you can become a nanny, you must know that the most important qualification a nanny can have is one of “responsibility”. Parents will be looking for applicants who show they are mature enough to take responsibility for caring for their children. They will expect the caregiver to be able to look after their kids just like they would. So the nanny will be in the position of acting like the parent of the child in every situation. Here are the basic qualifications for a good nanny;

• You must be at least 18 years of age
• You must be in good general health with proof of immunizations.
• You must have an innate desire to make a positive contribution in the lives of children under their care.
• You must have extensive babysitting or daycare experience.
• You must have first aid and Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training.
• A culinary skill (Cooking Skills) is an advantage.
• Can attend school to become a certified nanny. This is not compulsory but it can set you apart from the less-skilled nannies out there.

The Do’s and Don’ts of becoming a successful nanny

The Do’s

Be Professional

Families expect to see that their children will be spending time with a professional, responsible individual not some miscreant off the street. So for your interview and while you work with them, dress conservatively. Do not be revealing in what you wear. Don’t come to work dressed like you are going to some weirdo party or club. The way you dress gives an impression of who you are and most mothers will make sure you don’t have another chance to correct a wrong impression. However, you should be comfortable, flat sandals, small ear rings, no painted nails, no makeup, and very little perfume will do.

Get the Facts

Before you accept any job, know everything there is to know about the job. Be sure you know what your responsibilities will be, the time your job starts every day, the number of hours you are expected to work, how much you will be paid, how you will be paid, how personal or sick days will be handled and other details of the job. Make sure all these facts are clearly written out and both parties agree and sign the contract before you are hired. Let each copy of the contract agreement be given to each party

Expect You Are Watched

If you are going to be a success in your career to become a nanny, then when you take care of your clients children, act like you are being watched. Therefore be very careful of what you say and do. Don’t go using vulgar words when you are around the children. Kids always tend to pick up bad stuffs fast. And you should never hit a child in a bid to discipline. Regardless of how rude or uncooperative the child is, do not ever use your hand unless the parents approves. If you have a problem with this then you should not be in the industry in the first place.

Research Your Clients

Do not be in a hurry to take up any nanny job that you find. I recommend that as you are being interviewed by a family try as much as possible to learn what you can about them and whether you can work with them. Meaning, you are learning what their family is like and whether you would be a good match or not. If the job opening is a family with 7 children, do not just take the job because it the only one open. Be sure you can do the job because working with 7 kids is too much responsibility and stress.

The Don’t’s

Do not use your phone constantly while you are working.

Do not reveal personal information about every family you have worked for.

Do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages while you are on duty or have the stench in your breath.

Do not take it upon yourself to make up the household rule; but rather should communicate with the family on their rules.

Do not show up when it is convenient for you, but show up at the time you are supposed to work. If you will be late, let your clients know in time to make alternative arrangement.

Do not set the children in front of the TV all day, but rather engage them in activities.

Do not depend on the parents to clean up the home when they return home, keep the house in good shape.

Do not have or entertain unexpected guests during working hours.

Do not be using the computer for personal use during working hours. Expect you are permitted by your clients.

Never leave the children unsupervised.

Never leave your position without giving the family enough notice to find a replacement.

Never discuss your clients with anyone.

How do you start?

You should also obtain references. Even if you have never worked as a nanny before, you can get references from families you’ve babysat for or from any daycare or other childcare work you’ve done. If you’ve never worked with children before, you might consider trying an Au Pair position first, both to gain experience and see if you like spending time with children every day.

The next step will be to create a resume and start applying. Look around you. Start from where you are right now. I guess there are families where you are that will need your services right now. Tell family and friends about the services you render. Put up simple posters and share handbills. You can hangout around schools at closing time and speak to parents as they come to pick up their kids.

In general, if you follow and apply these tips with some common sense, you should become great nanny.  As much as you will be making cool money in this business, money shouldn’t be your primary priority. The wellbeing of the kids in your custody is your main concern and the reason you were employed as a nanny.

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