Babysitters, preschool teachers, nursery school teachers, teaching assistants, after-school program workers, and nannies are among the many types of childcare jobs available, each with its own set of preparation, educational, certification, and licensing requirements, which vary by state in the United States. A nanny is a childcare worker who works full-time with a single family and is responsible for one or more children in the family home. Nannies can work for themselves or for an agency. Some live with the families for whom they work, while others make daily trips to and from the family home. The majority of nanny jobs are full-time, but there are a few part-time nanny jobs available, such as vacation work, resort work, and new mother positions.
Many part-time nanny jobs entail covering for a family’s regular nanny during their time off, holidays, and vacations. Part-time nanny jobs, like full-time nanny jobs, can be filled by self-employed individuals or by a nanny agency. A part-time nanny should, in theory, be a familiar figure to the children she looks after and be aware of the household’s specific routines and expectations. If an agency representative fills this part-time position, a specific form of household orientation is usually required for the worker’s introduction to the household and its children. When a self-employed nanny fills the position, both the employers and the full-time nanny must provide adequate orientation.
Other types of part-time nanny jobs provide service as part of the amenities that some resorts and cruise lines provide to their guests. These part-time nanny jobs are scarce, and there is fierce competition for the few openings. For these reasons, a prepared nanny with relevant experience and education, as well as certifications and licensure, may be able to land this type of job sooner than a less qualified candidate. Seasonal resort work may require full-time hours during the resort’s “in” season, but part-time nanny jobs are considered because the length of their work is usually measured in weeks or months. Working at a resort or on a cruise ship usually necessitates more flexibility on the part of the nanny, as well as the ability to form quick bonds with her charges.
Part-time nanny jobs are also common in families who have recently welcomed a new baby into their home. Whether the nanny is hired to assist a new mother in adjusting to her baby or to supervise older children in the home, having an extra set of hands can be extremely beneficial to the family. The majority of “new baby” nanny positions are filled by agencies to ensure adequate training and background checks.