What skills does a nanny need?

A nanny needs 15 essential skills including workplace sanitation, common children's diseases, handle children's problems, assist children with homework, assess the development of youth. Core competencies include Communication, Collaboration, Customer Orientation.

Will AI replace nanny jobs?

The AI disruption score for nanny is 12/100 (very low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Social ServicePersonal care workersISCO 5311

nanny

Nannies provide qualified care services to children on the premises of the employer. They organise play activities and entertain children with games and other cultural and educative activities according to their respective age, prepare meals, give them bathes, transport them from and to school and assist them with homework on a punctual basis.

About nanny

As a nanny, you provide comprehensive childcare services in the family home, creating a safe, nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. You serve as an extension of the family, responsible for the daily wellbeing, education, and development of the children in your care. Your role encompasses far more than supervision—you are an educator, caregiver, and positive role model who shapes important aspects of children's early development and social skills.

Your daily responsibilities include organizing age-appropriate play activities and educational games, preparing nutritious meals and managing feeding schedules, overseeing bathing and personal hygiene, transporting children to and from school, and assisting with homework tailored to each child's ability level. You monitor children's health and development, handle their emotional and behavioral needs with patience and understanding, and maintain strong communication with parents about their children's progress and wellbeing. You also maintain a clean, hygienic living space and ensure the children's environment supports both their physical safety and emotional development.

This career offers meaningful work where you directly impact children's lives during crucial developmental years. Working conditions are typically flexible, though they require significant responsibility and dedication. Poland's growing need for qualified childcare professionals has expanded opportunities for nannies with proper qualifications and experience. Many nannies advance into supervisory roles at childcare facilities, pursue training as early childhood educators, or establish their own childcare services.

Key Work Functions

Core areas of responsibility for a nanny.

Daily care and supervision

Supervise children at all times, ensuring their safety and wellbeing in and around the home
Attend to children's basic physical needs including feeding, dressing, and personal hygiene
Administer baths and manage grooming routines appropriate to each child's age
Handle children's problems and behavioral issues with patience, understanding, and appropriate guidance

Education and development support

Assist children with homework and school projects, tailoring support to each child's abilities
Assess the development of youth and support their progress in cognitive, social, and emotional areas
Assist children in developing personal skills including communication, confidence, and independence
Organize educational and cultural activities appropriate to children's ages and interests

Play and entertainment activities

Organize and supervise age-appropriate play activities that promote creativity and learning
Engage in play with children using games and interactive activities to support their development
Create a positive, stimulating environment that encourages exploration and learning
Support the positiveness of youths by encouraging confidence and celebrating achievements

Meal preparation and nutrition

Plan and prepare nutritious meals and snacks suitable for children's dietary needs and preferences
Maintain awareness of food allergies and dietary restrictions for each child
Manage eating routines and encourage healthy eating habits

Family liaison and communication

Maintain regular communication with parents about children's daily activities, development, and wellbeing
Maintain positive relationships with children's parents and respect their parenting values and expectations
Communicate with children using age-appropriate language and encourage their expression
Transport children to and from school and activities on a punctual and reliable basis

Home maintenance and hygiene

Maintain workplace sanitation by cleaning surfaces, toys, and play areas regularly
Clean surfaces and maintain a hygienic environment to prevent disease transmission
Keep children's clothing, bedding, and belongings clean and organized

Do You Have the Skills for This Role?

Core competency requirements inferred from the occupation's skill profile. Take the free assessment to see how you match.

Must-Have Skills (Advanced)

CommunicationAdvanced

CollaborationAdvanced

Customer OrientationAdvanced

Supporting Skills

Problem SolvingIntermediate

AdaptabilityIntermediate

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (15)

workplace sanitationworkplace sanitationThe importance of a clean, sanitary workspace for example through use of hand disinfectant and sanitizer, in order to minimise infection risk between colleagues or when working with children.common children's diseasescommon children's diseasesThe symptoms, characteristics, and treatment of diseases and disorders that often affect children, such as the measles, chickenpox, asthma, the mumps, and head lice.handle children's problemshandle children's problemsPromote the prevention, early detection, and management of children`s problems, focusing on developmental delays and disorders, behavioural problems, functional disabilities, social stresses, mental d...assist children with homeworkassist children with homeworkHelp children with school tasks. Assist the child with the interpretation of the assignment and the solutions. Make sure the child studies for tests and exams.assess the development of youthassess the development of youthEvaluate the different aspects of development needs of children and young people.support the positiveness of youthssupport the positiveness of youthsHelp children and young people to assess their social, emotional and identity needs and to develop a positive self image, enhance their self esteem and improve their self reliance.promote human rightspromote human rightsPromote and respect human rights and diversity in light of the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of autonomous individuals, taking into account their opinions, beliefs and values, an...clean surfacesclean surfacesDisinfect surfaces in accordance with sanitary standards.assist children in developing personal skillsassist children in developing personal skillsEncourage and facilitate the development of children's natural curiosity and social and language abilities through creative and social activities such as storytelling, imaginative play, songs, drawing...play with childrenplay with childrenEngage in activities for enjoyment, tailored to children of a certain age. Be creative and improvise to amuse children with activities such as tinkering, sports or board games.support children's wellbeingsupport children's wellbeingProvide an environment that supports and values children and helps them to manage their own feelings and relationships with others.communicate with youthcommunicate with youthUse verbal and non-verbal communication and communicate through writing, electronic means, or drawing. Adapt your communication to children and young people`s age, needs, characteristics, abilities, p...attend to children's basic physical needsattend to children's basic physical needsTend to children by feeding them, dressing them, and, if necessary, regularly changing their diapers in a sanitary manner.maintain relations with children's parentsmaintain relations with children's parentsInform children`s parents of the activities planned, program`s expectations and children`s individual progress.supervise childrensupervise childrenKeep the children under supervision for a certain period of time, ensuring their safety at all times.

Optional (20)

baby carebaby careThe procedures required to take care of children up to the age of 1, such as feeding, bathing, soothing, and diapering the baby.disability caredisability careThe specific methods and practices used in providing care to people with physical, intellectual and learning disabilities.cook pastry productscook pastry productsPrepare pastry products such as tarts, pies or croissants, combining with other products if necessary.carry out wound carecarry out wound careCleanse, irrigate, probe, debride, pack and dress wounds.provide first aidprovide first aidAdminister cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.entertain peopleentertain peopleProvide people with amusement by doing or offering a performance, like a show, a play or an artistic performance.feed petsfeed petsMake sure that pets are given appropriate food and water on time.drive vehiclesdrive vehiclesBe able to drive vehicles; have the approapriate type of driving license according to the type of motor vehicle used.prepare sandwichesprepare sandwichesMake filled and open sandwiches, paninis and kebabs.use food preparation techniquesuse food preparation techniquesApply food preparation techniques including the selecting, washing, cooling, peeling, marinating, preparing of dressings and cutting of ingredients.buy groceriesbuy groceriesPurchase ingredients, products and tools that are necessary for daily housekeeping activities.clean roomsclean roomsClean rooms by cleaning glasswork and windows, polishing furniture, vacuuming carpets, scrubing hard floors, and removing garbage.use gardening equipmentuse gardening equipmentUse gardening equipment such as clippers, sprayers, mowers, chainsaws, complying to health and safety regulations.use reheating techniquesuse reheating techniquesApply reheating techniques including steaming, boiling or bain marie.demonstrate when teachingdemonstrate when teachingPresent to others examples of your experience, skills, and competences that are appropriate to specific learning content to help students in their learning.prepare ready-made dishesprepare ready-made dishesPrepare snacks and sandwiches or heat up ready-made bar products if requested.assist students in their learningassist students in their learningSupport and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.use cooking techniquesuse cooking techniquesApply cooking techniques including grilling, frying, boiling, braising, poaching, baking or roasting.give constructive feedbackgive constructive feedbackProvide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evalu...iron textilesiron textilesPressing and ironing in order to shape or flatten textiles giving them their final finishing appearance. Iron by hand or with steam pressers.