By Amy Blakeslee
Apr 1, 2010
In every neighborhood, there is a babysitting job that is considered to be “the” job of all jobs: great pay, sweet parents, angelic children and the best fridge ever. Everyone fights over who gets the golden family, literally sabotaging each other as they fight to become the go-to sitter for the family that everyone loves. In the world of child care jobs, there are the jobs that everyone wants, the jobs that no one wants and then the jobs that have their ups and downs. Whether you are a teen making some extra cash as a babysitter or you are looking to earn a living as a nanny, there are some things that you have to keep in mind not only to get but also to keep the prime child care jobs. While many of the tips are the same, there are some different expectations at different levels.
Getting the Child Care Job for Babysitters:
For most babysitting jobs, you will be referred to a family who might need your services or you might get a call from someone who was referred to you by their own friends. Set up a time to meet the family and make sure that you know where you are going. Ask for directions or clarifications if you are unsure, which will show that you are serious about this job. Make sure that you have a correct phone number so that you can call if there is going to be a delay in getting there at the scheduled time.
When you go to the home, make sure that you arrive there on time and that you are clean and well dressed. Okay, teens: it is perfectly fine that you are Ratscalia the Wretched when you are hanging at the mall and scaring the wits out of little old ladies, but you are trying to get a job that involves people trusting you with their children. So leave the black lips, nails and eyes at home. Take out most of your visible piercings, too. Do not mumble when you answer questions and make sure that you ask a few of your own. Look interested in the child care job itself; do not get right to the money, save that for afterward. Make sure that you get a chance to meet the children and try to interact with them. After all, you do not want the first time you sit for them to be the first time you meet them. (How scary for both parties!)
Getting the Child Care Job for Nannies:
A nanny spends far more time with the children than an occasional sitter would and often lives in the family’s home. The interview process for them is more strenuous and may involve a trial period before the job is official. Many nannies go through employment agencies, but many more look for child care jobs on their own. The benefit of going through an agency? More job leads. The disadvantage? You must pay a fee for those child care job leads.
Most agencies have a code that will tell you what you should and should not wear to your interview. However, you should also have the common sense to know that you should always show up wearing clean, well fitted clothing to a job interview. If you look like you really need the job, you will probably be passed over. On the other hand, if you look like you are wearing better clothing than the lady of the house, you are not getting the job, either.
Keeping the Child Care Job:
“Help yourself to the fridge” is a suggestion, not an order. Do not think you have to eat up all of the goodies in the home simply because they are there. Help yourself to the fridge also does not mean snoop through all of my drawers, closets and cabinets when the kids go to bed either. If the kids are in bed when you arrive or shortly after you get there, then tidy up a little. Do not take it upon yourself to clean the crystal or fine china. Fold some towels, dust a few shelves, straighten up the bathroom or wash the dishes. Simple little things like that are the little extras that parents will be thrilled with. As a nanny, you may be asked to do a little more than a babysitter would. Make sure that you know what your duties are and do them.
For both: Make sure that you are interacting with the children and that they love you and you will have a child care job for as long as you want it.
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