Education

Nanny

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AVG. SALARY

$31,210

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EDUCATION

High school preferred +

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What To Learn

High School

Suggested Steps to Prepare for a Nanny Career (Grades 6-12)

Check out the recommended classes, activities and skills below for each grade level. These recommendations are very general -- discuss your specific course plan with your school counselors and teachers.

AI-assisted and curriculum-reviewed guidance. Talk with your counselor or teacher about your specific plan.
Grades 6-8

Helpful Classes

  • Communication
  • Social Studies
  • Math
  • Technology

Things to Try

  • Help explain directions to younger students or classmates during a group activity, Create a short lesson, reading activity, or game that teaches one idea clearly, Observe how teachers check understanding, redirect behavior, and support learning, Interview a nanny about planning lessons and helping students succeed

Focus Skills

  • Active listening
  • Oral expression
  • Observation
  • Organization
  • Support

Helpful Classes

  • English
  • Algebra I
  • Child Development
  • Speech
  • Computer Applications

Recommended Learning Areas

  • lesson planning basics
  • child development
  • communication
  • digital tools
  • classroom support

Things to Try

  • Volunteer with tutoring, peer mentoring, or an after-school activity, Create a mini lesson, read-aloud, or study guide for a younger student, Observe a classroom and note how routines, questions, and feedback support learning, Shadow a nanny or school staff member to see how instruction is planned

Focus Skills

  • Active listening
  • Oral expression
  • Observation
  • Organization
  • Support

Helpful Classes

  • English
  • Psychology
  • Education and Training
  • Algebra II
  • Public Speaking

Recommended Learning Areas

  • learning strategies
  • youth development
  • presentation skills
  • education careers
  • behavior support

Things to Try

  • Design a learning activity and test whether your directions are clear and easy to follow, Help lead a camp, youth club, library event, or school support program, Track how different teaching methods help students stay engaged or remember information, Practice writing reflection notes about behavior, progress, or participation

Focus Skills

  • Active listening
  • Oral expression
  • Observation
  • Organization
  • Support

Helpful Classes

  • Child Development
  • Psychology
  • Education Pathways
  • Statistics
  • Writing

Recommended Learning Areas

  • instructional planning
  • assessment
  • classroom management
  • student development
  • inclusive support

Things to Try

  • Assist with tutoring, classroom support, or youth programming and document what worked, Build lesson materials, visual aids, or activity plans for a real audience, Observe how teachers adapt content for different learning needs, Interview educators about assessment, family communication, and classroom management

Focus Skills

  • Active listening
  • Oral expression
  • Observation
  • Organization
  • Support

Helpful Classes

  • Psychology
  • Education Practicum
  • English Composition
  • Human Development
  • Public Speaking

Recommended Learning Areas

  • teaching methods
  • educational psychology
  • curriculum support
  • family communication
  • student assessment

Things to Try

  • Complete a teaching or youth-support capstone with planning, instruction, and reflection notes, Build a portfolio with lesson ideas, observation notes, and communication samples, Compare pathways in teaching, counseling, training, and school support roles, Practice presenting, explaining, and checking for understanding with different learners

Focus Skills

  • Active listening
  • Oral expression
  • Observation
  • Organization
  • Support

Beyond High School

Here's a list of programs that you should consider if you're interested in this career:

Education Level

Education training and experience are required at different levels for success in different occupations.

High school preferred, plus short term, on-the-job training

States do not regulate educational requirements for nannies. However, some employers may prefer to hire workers with at least some formal instruction in childhood education or a related field, particularly when they will be hired as full-time nannies.

Insider Info

Additional Information

There are many programs designed to train nannies. The best of them incorporate academic learning with hands-on experience. Internships are extremely popular, says Linda Roffe. She runs a nanny training school.

She says that a student should look at the quality of the teachers and how relevant course work is to the job that they are going to be doing when they are deciding on what program to take.

"You need to know child development," says nanny Lisbet Sondergaard. "You need to know what to expect from a child. More so as a nanny because you are alone there: you don't have another teacher to talk to. I think when you're on your own, you really need to be aware [of the child's needs].

"If you don't know the potential of the child and know the typical child development stages, how can you say that this child is really getting what he or she needs? I think the ECE [early childhood education] background is a must, really."

Extra Requirements

The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) offers optional accreditation.

For additional information, visit these websites: