Finding Your Next Chicago Nanny Job
Many men and women are turning to nanny work in this current economy, but if you want to become a Nanny in Chicago, then first review this information to ensure that the job is right for you. There are a few things you need to know about nanny jobs in Chicago. For instance, some positions require you to live with the family and therefore can pay less, some positions may need you to work up to 60 hrs per week, and some may ask you to do light housekeeping duties pertaining to the kids. Luckily you do not need any special certification to get a nanny job in Chicago, although they do expect that nannies should have a love of kids and have the skill needed for handling a high level of responsibility. Ideally you will have had some nanny experience in the past, but regardless you can use the list of things below in order to improve your chances of acquiring a Chicago nanny job.
Early Childhood Education (ECE) - Most families who have an opening for a nanny job in Chicago have young children and they will find comfort in having a nanny who will keep their kids engaged with educational activities. If you would like to gain further education in ECE, you can sign up for an affordable night class at a local Chicago career college like Kendall University on North Branch.
Classes in Cooking - On the topic of education, some nanny jobs in Chicago may require you do some cooking for the children and taking a few classes in cooking could be a big help. It demonstrates to the families you have the necessary training to cook healthy meals that are the correct portion size. Also, this helps ensure parents that you can stick to certain dietary restrictions and encourage healthy eating habits for their children.
First Aid and CPR Certifications - The local Red Cross near you in Chicago is a great place to obtain a certification in Infant/Child CPR as well as First Aid. Families feel an added sense of security knowing that you have training to take care of their kids if an emergency were to occur.
Recommendation Letters - Having a few letters of recommendation from credible people to show to the families is a perfect way to give them outside confirmation of your skills and qualifications to take care of their children. Make sure that these letters of recommendation come from parents that you know in the professional sense, as well as one or two that you know in the personal sense. This way, you will have a well-rounded group of accolades to pass on to future employers.
Background Check - This is one of the most crucial things to have that will instill confidence in families when you look to obtain a Chicago nanny job. It will show them important information like your DMV records, civil court records, criminal background, credit information, and most importantly act as proof that you are not a sex offender. Background checks can be expensive, and most parents will want a 50 state and even international check, versus just an Illinois background check. Because of this, you might want to join one of the Chicago nanny agencies that we outline on this site. Those agencies will get background checks for you, which saves you money.
Mobile Phone - Having a mobile phone is very important to the families as they will feel safe and secure that they are able to contact you at all times and that you always have a phone on you in case of emergency.
When you have everything in order and feel ready to look for a nanny job in Chicago, there are a handful of great online Chicago nanny agencies which you can partner with to promote yourself. Being accessible online via an agency is the best way to show off all of your credentials to the families so they can find you and decide if you're the right nanny for them. The top online agencies we feel you should review so you can secure your Chicago nanny job are Nannies4Hire, GoNannies, SitterCity, and Care.com.