Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No no no. Cheesy.

Is it cheesy when other business people do it?

Nannies aren't business people! And I'm a nanny! I would literally be embarrassed if I saw a nanny offering someone a business card. Some nannies take this thing way too far.

How are we not business people? We advertise our services, set our rates, negotiate our contracts. At least the good ones do. I suppose you are one of the bitter nannies passively accepting whatever terms are offered then bitching and moaning about how awful your job/MB are. You will only ever be taken as seriously as you take yourself. You might not be a business person, but I certainly am.

Well said.

+1

Anonymous wrote:NP here. I have seen portfolios. They are presented when the nanny is looking for a job. The nanny puts in projects and photos that the nannies charges have done, as well as other" accomplishments". Often, nannies with teaching backgrounds use this type of portfolio.

Often, moms would probably not okay their use of the children's work and photos, IMHO.

Right now, there are more nannies than jobs. Very different than a few years ago when the nannies called the shots. So in some cases, nannies need all the help they can get. HTH.

You expanded the "nanny" pool by suddenly calling every sitter a "nanny". Kind of like telling your friends you're going to your chateau for holiday, come to find out, it's a hole in the wall timeshare.

"A few years ago", people knew what a "nanny" was. Everyone knows that only wealthy families can even afford a nanny. Hence, the silly food fights around here. ("Nannies should bargain for every crumb.") If your nanny needs to "negotiate" her daily lunch sandwich out of you, you can't afford her.

Another Hint: Your sitter who refuses to take your child outside, is NOT a "nanny".

It's really all so stupid that you believe this nonsense. Then you're surprised every time your "nanny" doesn't know how to provide proper childcare.

Here's one more clue:

Nannies do not dump your child in front of the idiot box (tv). They know better. They've studied these issues. And they know the idiot box is not high quality childcare.

NP here. I have seen portfolios. They are presented when the nanny is looking for a job. The nanny puts in projects and photos that the nannies charges have done, as well as other" accomplishments". Often, nannies with teaching backgrounds use this type of portfolio.

Often, moms would probably not okay their use of the children's work and photos, IMHO.

Right now, there are more nannies than jobs. Very different than a few years ago when the nannies called the shots. So in some cases, nannies need all the help they can get. HTH.

Anonymous wrote:I have business cards. I thought it was unprofessional to write down my name and number on a piece of paper when moms at the park realized I was a nanny… I make extra cash so I can do some stuff I other wise might not be able to do.

All the moms think its professional too.

+1

I have business cards. I thought it was unprofessional to write down my name and number on a piece of paper when moms at the park realized I was a nanny… I make extra cash so I can do some stuff I other wise might not be able to do.

All the moms think its professional too.

Sure. Working as a nanny has the same dignity as any other job on the planet. So why not?

Great idea!!

Anonymous wrote:My portfolio has resume & references stuff, plus examples of preschool curriculum stuff I've done at home. Most teachers have a portfolio for hiring that has a resume, reference letters, example of lesson plans and examples of the work their student did (such as if an art teacher, an example on mosaics the student did based on the lesson plan example).

I base my portfolio more on this to show a parent the benefit to hiring me. I work mostly work 1-4 years old. My goal is for when they start school to be a year a head.

Back to topic, I don't think business cards are cheesy, however I have seen some cheesy ones! I think if they are simple, and to the point, they are great! However, I do agree with those who feel it doesn't matter if you aren't making a connection. Biz card or not, a parent needs to want to connect with you to make that call to hire.

My real reason for box cards was so I would have to write my info double a million times for play dates or babysitting gigs. Also mine have the address to my online portfolio, resume and rates.

Your portfolio is closer to the idea of what most people describe as a portfolio. I am in a creative field and when I am asked for a portfolio, it's commonly understood to mean samples of previous work. Resume and cover letter are not typically a part of it.

I'm 23 and being a nanny is my career, I have a college degree, I'm not a babysitter, I make $80,000 a year and I bought my first home when I was 21. If you don't think being a nanny is a real job then you shouldn't be one. There is a huge difference between a professional nanny and a babysitter, and yes I have business cards they are quick and easy to hand out and they look great.

I'm an MB, and I think I'd be impressed with a polished nanny candidate who handed me a business card. It says that the person takes herself and her skills seriously and also that she is expecting for people to want to contact her. I most certainly would not consider it a negative.

Anonymous wrote:Btw- what you described as being your "nanny portfolio" is really just a resume with some references.

I decided not to go into all the details of what's in it, simply because I worked hard making it and deciding what to put in it and I'm not just handing out a template to everyone. There is more to it than my resume and references, and it does in fact display my past work. Look down your nose if you like.

And to the nanny saying this isn't a career so you can't be a business person, this is not my career. I'm doing it to put myself through school, but my attitude is that if I'm going to do something I'm going to do a damn good job. I have put a lot into my presentation of myself as a nanny and at 21 with only 3 years of experience I've increased my salary and benefits at each subsequent position to the point that I make a respectable professional salary now, will graduate debt free, and will buy my first home next year. I truly believe that you get out of things what you put into them, and I really can't understand this pervasive attitude that nannies can't/don't need to be professional, can't take their job seriously, and should be satisfied with mediocrity both in themselves and in their compensation. You can be embarrassed about business cards, think a portfolio is silly, and denigrate career nannies all you like, but why discourage others who may want more and to be more?