OP it really depends on your personality and what you are looking for in a nanny. A 21 or 22 year old nanny is never going to admit that they aren't experienced because they don't have enough experience to know what they don't know! You may have more issues with cell phones, too much socializing, driving the kids all over for her entertainment and some judgement problems but these can be prevented with laying out the rules and expectations for working hours. If you hire a 21 year old, you should not give her free reign to do whatever. (Yes, now all the little 20 year olds will pile on whining about their entitlements to entertain themselves). You will need to manage her more but on the upside this can work out better anyway. Older nannies are not perfect. Some may be bitter or feel entitled to sit around all day. Work ethic seems to be a real problem with nannies of multiple ages.

I am a 22-year old nanny, and have worked as a full-time nanny since I was 18 (not for the same family I currently work for). While I don't consider it the kind of nanny position that I'd use as a reference or on my resume, I graduated from high school at 17 and immediately took on a full-time "live-in" position caring for a family member's infant. Prior to that, I had a long-term (3+ years) after-school babysitting job and camp counselor experience. So despite the fact that I'm only 22, I do, in fact, have quite a bit of experience caring for children, and while I don't know if I plan on being a career nanny, I am taking Early Childhood Education classes right now, have CPR/First Aid certifications, and have a clean driving record. I consider my nanny experience very valuable to me, and I take my job very seriously. I've never had any complaints about the care that I've provided--as a matter of fact, I have never had anything but highly positive references.

What I'm saying is, don't discount young nannies because you assume they lack inexperience or must at least be somewhat immature/unprofessional/etc, and don't assume that just because this isn't necessarily their long-term career goal, they can't be fantastic at it or fully committed to it in the meantime. That's simply not always the case.

I was 21 when I started my first "proper" nanny job. I was serious about it then and I am still serious about it now (two years later). Why don't you ask her how serious she is about childcare? Also I wonder if you mean serious as in will she still be in childcare in 5 years time? Or serious as in this is a formal serious job to her that she takers seriously and wants to be her best at?

OP, I don't think 21 is too young, but I wouldn't consider someone that young well qualified, because she can't possibly have had much more that 4 years of FT independent responsibility for child care. That said, if she were qualified enough and you like her, why not hire her? The only thing I would be careful about is examining her driving record and making sure she has CPR and first aid training.

I'd hire a 21 year old I liked and wouldn't expect it to be her long term career, necessarily. Her future plans shouldn't disqualify her for a job she is dedicated to now.

I've been a nanny since I was 14. Well, during entire summer breaks as a high schooler and during college and winter breaks as a college student. I was a live in for a family who knew me since I was 7, and I took excellent care of their 3 children and 1 niece throughout the years. I always enjoyed being around and caring for children since I was still a child myself.

Being young doesn't mean she is immature or that she will lack the ability to take this position seriously and effectively care for your children. If she has good references, and gives off a good vibe (i.e. mature, responsible, etc.) then there really shoudln't be any issue with regards to her age.

FWIW, I was 22 when I started my current nanny position (turned 23 a couple months back), and I'm completely dedicated to my job and caring towards my charge.

Anonymous wrote:I interviewed a nanny that is only 21 years old. She has previous references and has worked as a medical assisstants. She speaks English. My concern is not her abilities it is her age. I wonder how serious she really is about caring for children. Does anyone have a take on this situation?

My nanny is younger than yours. It's going to vary from person to person. I would be more concerned about maturity level (which is a huge variable at that age) than whether or not she wants caring for children to be her long-term career, although I would consider that.

FWIW we've been very happy with our particular nanny for our particular situation, but I don't know your situation or the 21-year-old you interviewed.

I interviewed a nanny that is only 21 years old. She has previous references and has worked as a medical assisstants. She speaks English. My concern is not her abilities it is her age. I wonder how serious she really is about caring for children. Does anyone have a take on this situation?