Nannies

What the job really is

Care for children in private households and provide support and expertise to parents in satisfying children's physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs. Duties may include meal planning and preparation, laundry and clothing care, organization of play activities and outings, discipline, intellectual stimulation, language activities, and transportation.

At a glance

• Sector: Personal Care & Service
• O*NET-SOC code: 39-9011
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Instruct children in safe behavior, such as seeking adult assistance when crossing the street and avoiding contact with unsafe objects.
• Remove hazards and develop appropriate boundaries and rules to create a safe environment for children.
• Perform first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when required.
• Instruct and assist children in the development of health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, and toilet behavior.
• Regulate children's rest periods and nap schedules.
• Teach and perform age-appropriate activities, such as lap play, reading, and arts and crafts, to encourage intellectual development of children.
• Help prepare and serve nutritionally balanced meals and snacks for children.
• Model appropriate social behaviors and encourage concern for others to cultivate development of interpersonal relationships and communication skills.
• Organize and conduct age-appropriate recreational activities, such as games, arts and crafts, sports, walks, and play dates.
• Assign appropriate chores and praise targeted behaviors to encourage development of self-control, self-confidence, and responsibility.
• Observe children's behavior for irregularities, take temperature, transport children to doctor, or administer medications, as directed, to maintain children's health.
• Work with parents to develop and implement discipline programs to promote desirable child behavior.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Baby bottles, Child car safety seats, Digital medical thermometers, Domestic dishwashers, Dryers, Educational software, Emergency first aid kits, Irons, Kitchen stoves, Laptop computers

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Childcare Workers
• Personal Care Aides
• Home Health Aides
• Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers
• Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
• Nursing Assistants
• Social and Human Service Assistants

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Nannies — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.