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.

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.

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.