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!
-OPAnonymous 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.
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.
- OP