Here are some of the questions we are often asked by sitters thinking about pursuing a full time career as a professional nanny.
What does a nanny do?
Nanny roles will vary depending on the children and the parents’ needs. Part of the service we provide here at Bubble is helping you find the role and family that are right for you. Every day is different, which is one of the best things about being a nanny.
Some of the general duties required in most nanny roles include:
Creating a safe and stimulating environment for the children
Bathing and dressing
Changing nappies and supporting potty training
Planning meals, preparing food, picking up groceries and feeding the children
Organising educational activities and crafts
Researching local playgroups or classes
Taking the children to school, activities or playdates
Helping with homework
Tidying up at the end of the day
Doing the children’s laundry, including their bedding
Light housework such as emptying and stacking the dishwasher, and general upkeep of common areas
Some roles may specifically require more cleaning, but this is specified in the job description
How many hours would a nanny generally work?
This will vary depending on the needs of the family. Generally, a full-time role is between 35 and 60 hours per week on average, and anything below 35 hours is considered part-time.
An after-school nanny will generally work between 15 and 25 hours per week, predominantly in the afternoons and occasionally in the mornings, also known as a wrap-around nanny.
If you are starting out as a permanent nanny, we would recommend beginning as an after-school nanny to gain experience.
What can I earn as a nanny?
Earnings depend on a number of factors such as location, experience level and qualifications. As a full-time junior nanny working 40 hours per week in London, you could expect to earn upwards of £30,000 gross per year. More experienced nannies typically earn between £40,000 and £45,000 gross per year for the same number of hours.
What skills do I need to become a nanny?
Every family will have slightly different requirements depending on their individual needs. Above all, you’ll need a genuine love for working with children and a real passion for childcare.
Most roles will require:
Previous experience working with children, either in a nanny position or within a nursery or school setting
A minimum of two professional childcare references
A valid Enhanced DBS
A Paediatric First Aid certificate
As part of our service, Bubble can support you in obtaining your DBS and First Aid certificate. If you are placed in a role through our agency, we will cover the cost of these.
Extra qualifications or experience, such as Ofsted registration, accredited Early Years qualifications or SEND experience, are not always required, but they can certainly help you stand out and may be necessary for some positions.
I want to be a nanny but I’m not sure how I can get the experience I need?
There are a variety of ways you can build your skills and gain the experience needed to secure your first role. Below are a few ideas to help you start your journey towards becoming a professional nanny:
Do as many sits on the app as you can across a variety of age ranges to build broader experience and discover which age group you connect with most
Check the Repeat tab on the homepage. Parents looking for after-school help or shorter, regular support are often more flexible with their requirements. You can view and apply for these roles by enabling Repeat bookings within your request types in your profile
Search for roles where you would be supporting a parent rather than having sole charge
Volunteer at local playgroups or children’s community groups
Gain an Early Years childcare qualification
Build your childcare experience by working in a nursery
Our dedicated Nanny Team would love to speak with you about what you're looking for in a permanent role — please send over a copy of your CV to nannies@joinbubble.com and they'll be in touch as soon as they can.