Education or Experience

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Experience + some indication of curiosity or willingness to learn. I ask candidates (regardless of education level) questions about developmental milestones, activities they'd do, challenges they worked on with previous kids and hire based on that. An ECE degree doesn't do me much good if all someone can say about activities with a 2yo is "arts and crafts and going to the park". After a couple of nanny families I would expect them to have handled something unusual and be able to talk about what they tried or learned.

Totally agree - OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely EXPERIENCE! Many people I have worked with who have completed a degree in childcare have had minimal experience often only having obtained it through work experience, which does not give you the full aspect and responsibilities of what is required. And as the OP mentioned because of this they often require help/support/advice from others.

Op here. Absolutely! The ones with the degree, are the main ones with their hands up during training lol. Not to knock them down, but in this field experience is everything, like I mentioned!

[Anonymous]

A degree is not required to know the latest in child development, milestones, age appropriate activities, managing behaviour and so forth. Many of these things are developed from a persons experience.

[Anonymous]

Experience!

[Anonymous]

Degree

[Anonymous]

I want a college graduate and not necessarily in ECE or ECD. Education is very important to DH and I. Our nanny has a masters degree in liberal arts and is just a brilliant woman. She is also amazing with our child and exposes her to so much more than a typical nanny or daycare ever could.

Honestly, OP, you sound lovely and I am sure you are a good nanny. I cannot encourage you enough to get your degree. The world will open up to you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I want a college graduate and not necessarily in ECE or ECD. Education is very important to DH and I. Our nanny has a masters degree in liberal arts and is just a brilliant woman. She is also amazing with our child and exposes her to so much more than a typical nanny or daycare ever could.

Honestly, OP, you sound lovely and I am sure you are a good nanny. I cannot encourage you enough to get your degree. The world will open up to you!

Thank you -OP

[Anonymous]

Absolutely a degree provides any individual with many more opportunities but does not define their skill set

[Anonymous]

Experience