10 Things to Do When You Lose Your Nanny Job

Getting laid off from a nanny job is always stressful. Losing income is scary when you have bills to pay. Missing the children can be devastating.

The best way to pay bills until you find a new job is to apply for any state benefits you are entitled to.

The best medicine for missing a job with children you once cared for is to start working caring for children again.

Here are 10 Things to Do When You Lose Your Nanny Job:

1. Ask for Severance if You are Owed Money:

Check your work agreement to see what it states about severance pay. See if you can cash out paid time off that you are owed. Always be sure to include termination and severance guidelines in your work agreement. The US Nanny Institute has a great course on work agreements and has a comprehensive sample work agreement for you to use.

2. Apply for Unemployment Benefits Immediately:

One of the many reasons to be paid legally is so you can apply for Unemployment or Disability Benefits if you get laid off or sick and cannot work. Visit your state Department of Labor web site to apply for Unemployment or Disability Benefits.

3. Ask for a Written Reference Letter:

Ask the parents you were just working for if they will provide you with a written letter of reference. A written letter of reference is important since in a few years the parents may not remember key information about your job performance that they include in the reference letter. Click here to see how to help parents write a letter of reference.

4. Ask for Permission to Use Job References:

Be sure to ask parents directly if they are willing to be contacted for a job reference before sharing their contact information with nanny agencies or potential employers.

Do not list someone as a reference unless you have their permission. You can ask any former employers you are in good standing with to be a job reference. But, the best nanny job references are parents you have worked for as a nanny or babysitter and supervisors of any childcare positions you have held such as working in a daycare.

5. Update Your Resume:

The US Nanny Institute has a great course to teach how to make a modern resume. There are nanny resume businesses to help you make a professional resume such as My Nanny Resume too.

There are also free resources for making a modern nanny resume for members of the US Nanny Association in the digital library. Most importantly your resume should be honest, easy to read, and thoroughly checked for grammar and spelling.

6. Get Certifications Up to Date:

All nannies need to have a current CPR/ First Aid certification when working for children and infants. While being unemployed consider getting a Water Safety and Lifegaurd Certification, become a Child Passenger Safety Technician, and learn about Food Handling Safety. The US Nanny Institute has courses discussing these topics and an in-depth course of Safe Food Handling. Take nanny and newborn care specialist training courses to command a higher wage at the US Nanny Association, Newborn Care Solutions, or Cuidando Angeles. Get nanny and newborn care specialist credentials from the US Nanny Association or the International Nanny Association.

7. Network with Everyone:

Tell anyone and everyone that you are searching for a new nanny job. Plenty of great nanny jobs are found by word of mouth.

8. Apply with Nanny Placement Agencies:

Reputable nanny agencies can be a nanny’s best advocate. The best agencies provide their clients with resources to pay caregivers legally, to help them create a fair compensation and benefits package, give them a sample work agreement, and present information honestly and fairly.

The best way to find a great nanny placement agency is by asking other nannies and families which agencies they used.

Start by filling out online applications with nanny placement agencies. Don’t be put off that the best nanny placement agencies will require caregivers have current CPR and First Aid certification and will run a thorough background check on nanny job seekers. Some agencies may ask for drug tests, proof of vaccinations, and fingerprint tests as well.

Note that nanny placement agencies never charge a nanny candidate to apply with them. Parents pay for the background checks so do not get scammed into paying for the background screening.

9. Nanny Job Posting Web Sites:

You can search for nanny jobs 24 hours per day on nanny job posting web sites. They provide easy access to many jobs and you have personal control over who you contact and choose to interview with. You may have to pay for a membership and a basic background check to use some nanny web sites.

10. Look at Job Boards and Parenting Groups:

Local colleges and businesses may have nanny jobs posted on their job boards. Check into local mother, parenting, and childcare Facebook groups for nanny jobs.

Be very cautious when meeting a parent for a job interview for the first time if you are introduced online. Be sure to meet in a public location, like a coffee shop, and let your friends and family know where you are meeting.

It’s always stressful to lose a job. The best way to cope with the loss is to start moving forward by applying for benefits you are owed and a new job as soon as possible.