An apprentice nanny is a childcare professional who cares for children in their client’s homes. They do this by doing chores and preparing meals.
As an apprentice nanny, you will be responsible for children, keeping them safe and clean, preparing meals, and planning imaginative and educational activities based on their age. Sometimes, you may need to pick them up from school or other extracurricular activities.
We want to meet you if you like working – and playing – with children and are comfortable with less enjoyable tasks such as changing diapers and cleaning up children’s rooms.
Finally, you will reassure parents that their children are safe and happy even when they are not physically present.
Responsibilities
Throughout your apprenticeship, you may help:
- feed, bath and dress children, and change babies’ nappies
- teach basic social skills and hygiene
- provide a safe setting for children
- help children to learn through play
- take children on outings to widen their experiences
- do nursery and school runs
- organise play opportunities to help children mix with others
- prepare healthy meals and snacks
- tidy up and clean rooms used by the children
- keep records for the family.
Salary
Your salary will be variable and will depend on the clients who hire you.
Working hours
You will typically work 15 to 37 hours per week, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays when needed.
Working environment
You could work at a client’s home.
Qualifications
Qualifications you can achieve as an apprentice nanny include:
- Level 2 Early Years Practitioner – Entry requirements for this level include some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship. This qualification will take 12 months to complete.
Skills
On a nanny apprenticeship, you’ll learn:
- sensitivity and understanding
- the ability to work on your own
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- to be flexible and open to change
- excellent verbal communication skills
- active listening skills
- the ability to understand people’s reactions
- thinking and reasoning skills
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device.
Career path and progression
If you have the right qualifications and experience, you might work as a childminder, nursery officer, or teaching assistant. You might also work as an au pair and live with a family in the US or overseas.
You may become a children’s nurse or an early childhood educator with more training.