keeping your nanny resume current
Maintaining a current resume sets nanny candidates apart in the eyes of potential employers. As you know, many families are looking for various standard prerequisites in their nanny search. They want to see long-tenures in past roles, recent infant experience, familiarity with supporting school-aged children, knowledge of developmental milestones, experience working with children who are neurodivergent, and a portfolio of academically enriched crafts and activities. In some scenarios, families are even targeting a search towards specialized capabilities like dual-language fluency, cooking skills and a willingness to take the lead on meal preparation, or a background in musical instruments and ability to teach said instrument to their child. So, how do you enhance your resume while working long-term with one family?
Continuing Education
If your schedule allows for it, online and at-your-own-pace certifications are a great way to continue your education, broaden your skills, and deepen your domain knowledge. Courses in child development or special education can provide valuable insight into how children learn, grow, and respond to different environments and support strategies. Programs offered by the Newborn Care Solutions (NCS) training institute can help caregivers expand their understanding of infant care, sleep practices, and early developmental needs. Additionally, studying early education pedagogy allows nannies to explore teaching philosophies and approaches that support curiosity, learning, and healthy development in young children. There are many reputable and relevant courses offered through Coursera, Elevify, and edX. Many colleges and universities also offer degrees at an own pace schedule and online. A resume that reflects consistent professional development is a resume that stands out.
Enrichment Courses
Alternatively, many nannies choose to pursue enrichment skills that can naturally be incorporated into their daily routines with children. Learning a musical instrument, studying another language (Duolingo or Rosetta Stone), or taking a cooking class are all approachable ways to expand what a nanny can share with the families they support. These types of skills do not require professional mastery to be meaningful; even a foundational understanding can allow a nanny to introduce children to music, basic vocabulary in another language, or simple cooking projects that support the family as a whole. Because many of these classes are available online, in short workshops, or through casual lessons, they can be developed gradually in a way that fits alongside a full-time work schedule while still adding valuable experiences for children.
Technical Skills
In addition to enrichment activities, building practical safety expertise can also make a nanny’s resume more appealing to families. Training in CPR and First Aid, water safety, and car seat safety shows a strong dedication to keeping children safe in everyday situations. These qualifications are particularly valued because they equip caregivers with the skills and confidence to respond calmly in emergencies and help prevent accidents before they happen. Like enrichment courses, many of these certifications are available through short, local workshops or hybrid online programs, making them accessible for nannies who are pursuing professional development while working full time.
Documentation
Build your portfolio! It’s easy to talk about the theoretical activities you intend to facilitate for a family’s children; even better to show exactly how you’ve done so in the past. When you accomplish a really great craft with your current children, take pictures of it. Take note of how the paint brush or the mini pom-poms supported fine motor skills, and how those fine motor skills will one day translate into a strong pencil grip. Photograph the color/shape sorting game you come up with and write a note to yourself on how it relates to emergent math skills. Document your trip to the library and the museum! Prepare yourself to speak about how it instilled the importance of connecting within a community. A body of work to present goes the extra mile to show families why you would be an incredible addition to their childcare team.
Babysitting Hours
Oftentimes, families that you’re interviewing with are looking to see that you have recent experience working with the ages that their children are now. The key word here being “recent”. It’s a lofty ask when a long-tenure is also valued and the children you have worked with for the past four years have also aged four years. It could set you apart to take the occasional babysitting job with children outside of the age range you primarily work with. For example, if you currently work with school-aged children, a few babysitting gigs with an infant will set you up to be able to say you’ve proactively kept your skills sharp.
Administrative Tasks
There are a few pieces of documentation that will be important to have handy and current when interviewing for a role with Sommet Nannies. In order to interview with our team, we will ask for copies of a valid driver’s license and verification of your college degree. Check your driver’s license, is it expiring in the next month? Can your college diploma be pulled out of storage? Your CPR certification–is it due to be renewed a week before your potential start date? We will assist you in getting registered for a course and even reimburse you for the fee to renew your CPR certification. These are all things we will need when sending your closing paperwork to a family who chooses to hire you. Having them up-to-date and at reach will prevent delays in offer terms or start date. One perk of professional nannying is the potential for domestic and international work trips. Do you have a passport? Does it need to be renewed? Candidates who are travel-ready stand out to families as nannies who can accompany them on their family trips. Preparation in these areas will set you up for success in the long run.
Ultimately, building a strong resume while working long-term with one family comes down to intentional growth and thoughtful documentation of your work. Small steps—whether taking a course, learning a new skill, renewing certifications, or capturing meaningful activities with children—can collectively make a significant impact over time. Families are not only looking for experience, but also for caregivers who show curiosity, initiative, and a commitment to professional development. By continuing to learn and preparing yourself thoughtfully for future opportunities, you position yourself as a knowledgeable, adaptable, and highly valuable childcare professional.
Welcome to Sommet Nannies, a nanny agency with presence in Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, New York, and nationwide. We help busy families find dedicated and caring college-educated nannies.
● If you enjoyed this article, you might also like Special Needs Parents: Experiences of Caregivers to Special Needs Children.
● If you’re a family interested in learning more about our nanny services, head over here.
● If you’re a nanny looking for a new family to work with, you can apply to become a Sommet Nanny.
