What Does Getting a Nanny in Melbourne Mean?

For many families, living in Melbourne means they spend a lot of time commuting to and from work, and on top of that they still need to run their errands too. This is why many families try to supplement their parenting with nannies, but finding a nanny in Melbourne is easier said than done. This is especially true if you’d rather not spend months looking for a child care service provider, whether that’s a nanny or a babysitter.

If you’re a parent looking for a childcare service in Melbourne, we’re here to help. Not only will we pair you with nannies that have experience in the industry and know exactly how to care for your children, but we’ll also give you a bit of information on what a nanny’s responsibilities are and what you should keep in mind when trying to choose the right one.

What You Need To Be a Nanny in Melbourne?

By definition, a nanny is a childcare provider that aims to establish a close relationship with the children they are responsible for, as well as their parents. While a daycare centre has working hours, you can agree on having a nanny over at any time of the day, but this is subject to availability. There is even the option for a live-in nanny if you want, someone who lives in your home and takes care of your children and any light household duties.

But when you start to look into nannies a bit more and start paying more attention to their experience and knowledge, you’ll find that they’re so much more than just childcare providers. Oftentimes they’ll be a personal chef for your children, and many of them act as housekeepers when they don’t have to tend to your children.

Now, a nanny doesn’t have to have a certificate or training. However, hiring one that has some kind of indicator in terms of what they know is usually preferred since you’ll know exactly what kind of person your children will be left with.

What Can You Expect from a Nanny Service in Melbourne?

When you hire a nanny as a childcare provider, you’re looking at a person that does a lot for you, your children, and your home. They have a lot of responsibilities, especially if we’re talking about live-in nannies that live in your home.

At the core is the care they provide for your children. They’ll feed them, bathe them, change them and dress them, but that’s just a part of it. They’ll also help them with any school-related things they might have, and that doesn’t just include helping them with homework. It also includes taking them to and from school and making sure they get help with any extracurricular activities they need help with too.

But arguably the key thing nannies do for your children is provide all kinds of support and learning possibilities through age-appropriate experiences. They give your children an opportunity to grow and expand their knowledge in various ways, which is quite frankly, invaluable.

But nannies, as we mentioned, are not just childcare providers. They sometimes take the role of housekeepers, especially during any downtime they might have, and you will probably find that they dusted a few things here and there, vacuumed, did laundry, did the dishes, and some other light household tasks that you might not have time to do regularly. Yes, it’s probably not in their job description, but they’ll still do it because they want to build a relationship with you and your children.

How Do You Find the Right Nanny in Melbourne?  

It’s a tricky quest, but if you follow a couple of steps, you’ll make it easier for yourself as a parent to find childcare providers, whether that’s a nanny, a babysitter, or any other parenting service provider.

The first thing to do is start early. Yes – we’re well aware that you still haven’t welcomed your child into the world yet, but the earlier you start looking into options, the higher your chances of finding a nanny that will suit your family and any requirements you might have.

It’s a good idea to ask around too, as word of mouth spreads rather fast. And don’t limit yourself to asking families with children only – you probably have friends without kids in your life that knows someone that knows someone, and that someone might be a nanny looking for a job. While we’re at it, there are probably nanny shares in your area, and they might also be worth considering. A nanny share is a situation where two or more families employ a single nanny that would take care of all their children together. Of course, if you’re looking for a live-in nanny, this might not work, but if not, it’s an option worth considering.

Always keep in mind that you’re not looking for an employee. You’re looking to build a team, and you want the nanny you hire to be a part of that team. It pays to be on the same page when it comes to your family dynamic, and you might need to interview a few nannies before you find one that’s the perfect fit. Or…Give us a shot to find the right nanny for you. We’re aware that finding a nanny is a long process, whether it’s a regular nanny, a live-in ‘Au Pair’, or just the occasional babysitter. We want to make the experience as easy as possible. Parenting isn’t easy, but if you let us find the perfect nanny for you, you’ll feel confident knowing that someone experienced is taking care of your children while you’re at work. You’ll also get the peace of mind that comes with working with the best agency for finding a nanny in Melbourne!