As the owner of a reputable nanny agency, I receive hundreds of applications each month from candidates hoping to join our roster. While the market has become increasingly competitive, the truth is that exceptional nannies who understand what quality agencies seek will always stand out. Let me share exactly what we look for when evaluating potential candidates and how you can position yourself as someone we’re excited to represent.
Longevity Speaks Volumes
The first thing I examine on any resume is employment history. I’m looking for candidates who demonstrate staying power with previous families. A nanny who has worked with one family for three years tells me far more than someone who has jumped between positions every six months. Longevity indicates reliability, adaptability, and the ability to build meaningful relationships with children and families. It shows me you understand that childcare is about commitment, not just collecting paychecks.
If you do have shorter positions on your resume, be prepared to explain them thoughtfully. Sometimes families relocate or circumstances change, and that’s understandable. What matters is that you can articulate these transitions professionally and demonstrate growth from each experience.
Your References Are Your Gold Standard
A solid work ethic must be verifiable through references, and this is where many candidates fall short. I need to hear from previous employers who can speak specifically about your reliability, initiative, and character. Generic references or those from friends and family members won’t suffice. Your references should be able to describe concrete examples of how you went above and beyond, handled challenging situations, and contributed positively to their household.
Polish matters here too. I want to see well-written letters of recommendation that detail your specific contributions and strengths. These letters should feel professional and genuine, not hastily written as an afterthought. If your previous employers are willing to serve as phone references, that’s even better.
Education and Passion Must Align
A deep love for childcare work should be backed by relevant education and ongoing professional development. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need a four-year degree in early childhood education, though that certainly helps. I value candidates who have invested in CPR and first aid certifications, child development courses, or specialized training in areas like special needs care or infant care.
What I’m really looking for is evidence that you treat this as a profession, not just a temporary job. Show me that you’re committed to continuous learning through workshops, online courses, or industry conferences. This demonstrates that you understand childcare is a field that requires ongoing skill development.
Know Your Worth and the Industry
One of the clearest indicators of a professional nanny is someone who understands fair market rates and industry standards. I appreciate candidates who come to our initial conversation with a realistic understanding of what their experience and skills command in the current market. This shows me you’ve done your homework and respect the profession.
However, there’s a fine line between knowing your worth and being unrealistic. The best candidates understand that compensation often includes benefits, professional development opportunities, and the support of working with a reputable agency. They see the big picture rather than focusing solely on hourly rates.
The Right Attitude Makes All the Difference
Your approach to our initial conversation tells me everything I need to know about how you’ll interact with client families. I want candidates who are genuinely interested in learning about opportunities, ask thoughtful questions, and express enthusiasm for the work itself. What I don’t want is pushiness, demands, or an attitude that suggests you’re doing us a favor by considering our agency.
The best candidates understand that we’re entering into a professional partnership. They appreciate that our job is to match them with families who will value their skills and provide a positive work environment. They don’t come with chips on their shoulders or unrealistic expectations about what we can deliver.
Flexibility and Service Mindset Are Essential
Here’s where I separate the true professionals from those who might not be the right fit: understanding the full scope of domestic work. The most successful nannies in our placements are those who embrace the reality that caring for children often involves supporting the entire household operation.
I need candidates who understand that preparing meals for children, handling children’s laundry, and maintaining tidy common areas are natural extensions of childcare. The nanny who says “laundry is the housekeeper’s job” fundamentally misunderstands the role. Nothing should be beneath a professional nanny when it comes to supporting the children and household they serve.
This doesn’t mean you’re expected to deep clean the entire house or handle the parents’ personal tasks, but it does mean approaching your role with flexibility and a service mindset. The families who work with our agency appreciate nannies who see the bigger picture and take initiative.
Adaptability and Flexibility in Action
Beyond the service mindset I mentioned earlier, I need nannies who can adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of family life. Children grow and develop, family schedules shift, and unexpected situations arise daily. The candidates who thrive in our placements are those who can pivot gracefully when a toddler has a meltdown right before a planned outing, when parents change their approach to discipline, or when a family’s needs evolve over time.
Flexibility also means being open to different parenting philosophies and household management styles. Some families are highly structured while others prefer a more relaxed approach. Some prioritize academic enrichment while others focus on outdoor exploration and free play. The best nannies can work effectively within various frameworks while maintaining their professional standards.
Understanding Parenting Styles and Personality Fit
One of the most crucial aspects of successful nanny placements is personality compatibility and alignment with parenting philosophies. I spend considerable time understanding both our client families’ approaches to child-rearing and our candidates’ natural tendencies and beliefs about childhood development.
A successful match isn’t just about skills—it’s about finding someone whose personality complements the family dynamic and whose childcare philosophy aligns with the parents’ vision. If you’re naturally more structured and a family values spontaneity, that mismatch will create ongoing tension. Conversely, if you thrive in organized environments but a family operates more casually, you might feel frustrated and unappreciated.
During our screening process, I ask detailed questions about your approach to discipline, your thoughts on screen time, how you handle conflicts between siblings, and what you believe children need most to thrive. There are no right or wrong answers, but there must be compatibility with the families we’re considering you for.
Self-Awareness and Integrity Are Non-Negotiable
Self-awareness ties directly into successful personality matching. I need candidates who can honestly articulate their working style, their strengths, and their preferences. This means being upfront about whether you work better with infants or school-age children, whether you prefer highly structured days or flexible routines, and what type of communication style helps you succeed.
Integrity means being honest about your strengths and areas for growth, communicating clearly about your needs and boundaries, and approaching challenges with maturity and professionalism. It also means being transparent about what environments bring out your best work and which situations might be more challenging for you.
Self-aware candidates can discuss difficult situations they’ve navigated, mistakes they’ve learned from, and how they’ve grown throughout their career. They don’t make excuses or blame previous employers for every challenge. Instead, they show me they can reflect, adapt, and maintain professional relationships even when circumstances become difficult. Most importantly, they help me understand their authentic selves so I can make placements that set everyone up for success.
Standing Out in a Competitive Market
The nanny candidates who consistently get the best placements through our agency are those who combine technical competence with emotional intelligence and professionalism. They understand that working with a quality agency is about more than just job placement—it’s about building a career in a field they’re passionate about.
If you’re serious about working with a reputable agency, invest time in crafting a resume that tells the story of your professional growth, gather references who can speak compellingly about your work, and approach the process with the understanding that you’re interviewing for a professional partnership, not just applying for a job.
The market may be competitive, but there’s always room for exceptional nannies who understand what quality childcare really means. Show us that you’re one of them, and you’ll find that the right opportunities will follow.
Dara G. Yates
Founder/CEO
