How to become a nanny
Updated October 25, 2026
Short answer
You do not need a license to be a nanny in most places. Families look for real childcare experience, current CPR and first aid, a clean background check, references they can call, and a clear rate and schedule. Build a profile with those, start with sitting jobs to earn reviews, and move to regular nanny work once you have families who will vouch for you.
What families look for
- Experience with the ages they have, including babysitting, teaching, camp or your own family.
- Current CPR and first aid, and infant CPR if you want baby jobs.
- A background check you consented to, with a recent date.
- Two or more references who will pick up the phone.
- Reliability: showing up on time, every time, and cancelling early if you must.
Getting your first nanny jobs
- Start with sitting jobs for families you know to get references.
- Write a short profile: your experience, ages you love working with, your rate and your availability.
- Record a short intro video; families want to hear how you talk to kids.
- Take paid trial shifts and ask happy families for a review.
On Nanny, joining is free. You order your own background check through Checkr with FCRA consent, add your CPR certificate, and see families nearby whose schedules fit yours. Messages open only when you are both interested, so no cold spam, and you keep 100% of your pay plus tips.
Know your rights
Most regular nannies are household employees, not contractors, and should get a W-2 from any family that pays them $3,000 or more in 2026. In California, nannies who mostly care for children earn overtime after 9 hours a day or 45 a week.
Questions
No, not in most places. A license is needed to run a child care center or a family child care home, not to care for one family's children in their home.
Tell families you know, ask for referrals, and use an app that matches you with families nearby. On Nanny you see families whose hours, rate and distance fit yours, and joining is free.
CPR and first aid at minimum, infant CPR for baby jobs, and a clean driving record if you will drive. Early childhood education courses help with full-time roles.
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