Disappointment in not being chosen

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: OP here. I do have plenty of experience but have been a substitute teacher for awhile, so as a sub who works in many different schools where I don't get to know people I don't aquire references. I am a certified teacher. My references are from 2 years ago at a preschool where i worked----2 directors and my teacher assistant. I think part of the problem is the 2 directors at the preschool refuse to say anything more than verify employment, and thats for anyone, they just won't go into detail. And all my other experience from working with children (teaching sunday school, vacation bible school, preschool job in college, college babysitting jobs) was so many years ago that those people wouldn't remember me.

As far as providing references I never give a family references before meeting them in person, but so many families want references at an interview. many won't consider you unless you do. I've tried the "I'll provide references when we both decide its a good fit" and I've had families imply that I must be hiding something by doing that. I provide them access to my background check on care.com, copies of previous evaluations from my preschool job, a copy of teaching certificate (and nobody with a teaching certificate is issued one without an extensive background check). Even after doing all this, if I don't provide my list of references at the interview families just don't give you consideration.

I've never once had anyone say or think I must be hiding something when I don't give my references out freely. Usually the opposite happens and the family learns how much I value my former employers and thus would then value the family I'm interviewing with.

I feel like something else might be going on here op but I don't know what it is.

[Anonymous]

I think it's just an over saturated market and she has 3 references from 2 years ago, all from the same company and they do nothing more than confirm dates of employment. OP, I would ask the church nursery for a recommendation. It can only help you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's just an over saturated market and she has 3 references from 2 years ago, all from the same company and they do nothing more than confirm dates of employment. OP, I would ask the church nursery for a recommendation. It can only help you.

This. And maybe try to get some babysitting gigs you could use as more recent references? It's obviously not the same as nannying but people who can attest to your maturity, reliability, affability, and skill RECENTLY can, as PP says, only help you.

[Anonymous]

OP, Do you realize the many differences between teaching and nannying? I've done both and they're pretty different skill sets. For example, when I taught I had a behavior management system that I implemented. As a nanny, I have to use similar behavior management to when the MB and DB use. Younger kids often work really hard to behave at school in K, and then fall apart for the first month or so when they get picked up. Are you prepared to handle kids when they're not at their best? You also have to be able to work well with your MB and DB, having people skills goes a long way, and I'm not sure whether you have those based on your posts. You seem a little uneducated about nanny care and how to break into the field--people have given you great advice here and you're shaking it off as insulting.

[Anonymous]

As an MB who hired a school librarian as a nanny (and it is working great), I think being teacher is a big plus, but OP please listen to what many are saying to you. For one, I'd look more for families with older children. These are the families that might value your experience (my previous nanny could not help/monitor first grader homework; with the new nanny I come home to all homework done, organized, and little notes for me not to forget to send XYZ to school . However, not having any recent references as to your experience with children is a problem. Think outside the box. When I hiredy nanny, I talked to a family for whom she house and pet set. It showed me that here is a family that trusts her with the house/pets/cars, and while not enough in of itself, was a better reference than just confirming dates of service two years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an MB who hired a school librarian as a nanny (and it is working great), I think being teacher is a big plus, but OP please listen to what many are saying to you. For one, I'd look more for families with older children. These are the families that might value your experience (my previous nanny could not help/monitor first grader homework; with the new nanny I come home to all homework done, organized, and little notes for me not to forget to send XYZ to school . However, not having any recent references as to your experience with children is a problem. Think outside the box. When I hiredy nanny, I talked to a family for whom she house and pet set. It showed me that here is a family that trusts her with the house/pets/cars, and while not enough in of itself, was a better reference than just confirming dates of service two years ago.

This is really great advice. Op, I'm looking for a job and am in the same boat as you. I'm going to look to pet sit!

[Anonymous]

I really suspect you're asking too much salary-wise because of your experience when your actual experience as a nanny is non-existent. A family would give anyone a chance if the price was right.

[Anonymous]

I'm very blunt with people and tell them I don't give out reference contact info until we've met and both feel like we want to move forwar. It's the last part of negotiation for me. It's never been a problem. I tell them if they hire me I'll give them the same courtesy.

[Anonymous]

OP, what age group are you looking for? I imagine you'd want three to five. Before that parents mostly want someone who will love and bond with their baby. Sure, the teaching skills are a big asset. But parents pay for the job they want done, not for bells and whistles.