Qualifications for all positions through Nannies from the Heartland, Inc. are based on
the requirements and needs of the client families.
We screen applicants on three broad criteria:
Do they have adequate experience and knowledge to care for young children?
- Must have a minimum of one year full time child care employment
experience that is current or very recent with references. Most of our
positions are with children birth to 5-6 years of age so employment
experience with this age group is required unless the job is with school age
children.
- Or a two or four year degree in a child related field with practicum
experience working directly with children, and some current part time child
care employment experience
Will they be a good employee?
- Stable verifiable employment history
- Strong communication skills
- Trustworthy, able to maintain confidentiality
- Present a professional image
Do they possess the skills and attributes necessary to work with young children in
an unsupervised setting?
- Provide the names and telephone numbers of three to four child care
references who can respond to our questions about them
-
Demonstration of: good judgment, critical
thinking skills, time management, trustworthiness, responsibility, and
maturity
Because of the requirements for work experience and for post secondary education
related to child development (or extensive child care experience), applicants will typically be
at least 21 years old.
The family's expect that nannies are able to work with them for a minimum of one
year and, in most cases, ideally longer.
For live-out jobs, nannies need a reliable vehicle for transportation to the job,
and frequently also for transporting the children.
If a nanny has young children of their own, they need to have reliable child
care for them.
Nannies must have a valid driver's license. Their driving record must be clear of any
recent offenses relating to drugs or alcohol and excessive moving violations.
Nannies from the Heartland requires all applicants to complete a release form
allowing us to conduct background checks.
Nannies need to be a non-smoker. It is important that they are in good health
and must be able to perform the essential physical functions of a nanny job.
Additional qualifiers that are helpful, but not necessarily required:
The International Nanny Association provides these child
care definitions:
Nanny - Employed by the family on either a live in or
live out, part time or full time basis, to undertake all tasks related
to the care of children. Duties are generally restricted to child care
and the domestic tasks related to the children. May or may not have had
formal training, though often have extensive child care experience and a
background in early childhood education. Typically, full time employed
nannies will work 40 - 60 hours per week. Usually work unsupervised.
Babysitter - Provides supervisory, custodial care of
children on a full time or part time basis with no special training or
experience required.
