Yes, if your nanny wants the training. Agree on the program, the timeline and whether class time is paid before you buy. No, if she is reluctant. The fee is not refundable if she leaves or doesn’t finish.
There are 3 scenarios that help nannies pay for training and we’ll focus on the private, family employer. So you know the other two, the first is a family member who’s helping the nanny build their career with accredited classes and certifications. The second are nannies who seek scholarships and/or work with agencies that invest in third-party training. Some agencies provide workshops or training on their own; however, these trainings are often informal and not from an accredited program taught by college faculty.
The information provided in this article is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice about household employment, wage and hour law or the enforceability of an agreement. It is intended to help parents understand what is worth discussing before paying for training. Employment law varies by state and locality, and compensation decisions are yours to make. Consult a qualified employment or payroll professional about your situation. Program terms including the refund policy are published in the Nanny Institute course catalog.
Why is it vital to talk about training during the interview?
Asking a nanny about their training during the interview process is important for 2 reasons. The first is they may have already invested in training and be a highly qualified nanny. These qualifications can support a higher hourly rate. The second reason you should always talk about nanny training during the interview is because the answer the nanny gives shows insight into how the nanny views their career and role within the household.
If a nanny is openly interested and eager to take training, they are showing a commitment to being the best version of themselves for your children. If the nanny is not interested in training or seems reluctant to have training as part of their employment, then it helps you understand that hiring the nanny will deliver their current skills and experience. These nannies can provide quality care and keep your children safe.
What are the benefits of paying for nanny training?
Like teachers, nannies provide an important service in our community and with our families but are often not well paid. Thus, high-quality training from accredited programs can often be out of their financial reach. Incorporating training as a part of employment or as a benefit of working with your family creates the opportunity for the nanny to take child care training. For a nanny that’s going to be with your family for several years, this training has direct payback in the quality of care your children receive. Parents also benefit as nanny curriculums include courses on communication and supporting parents.
Families with newborns, especially if it’s their first child, can benefit significantly from a nanny that has specialized newborn care and infant training. There is a lot to learn in the first 18 months as new parents or parents managing multiple children. Having a nanny that is already well versed in how to care for a newborn and the progressive stages of infant to toddler can help parents feel more confident with the nanny.
For many nannies, an employer investing in their training is a valued benefit as it shows that the family is committed to the nanny long term. It also shows the nanny that the family values and respects the importance of quality child care. Thus, offering paid training can be a motivator for an in-demand nanny to pick your family.
What are the risks of paying for nanny training?
If the nanny is not interested or seems hesitant then requiring a nanny to complete training as a condition of employment is high risk. Sometimes these nannies will take the job knowing they won’t complete the training. Others have good intentions but never get around to taking the classes. Either way, it puts the nanny and family in a difficult position. Sometimes the nanny quits before they hit the deadline. Other times, they hope the family doesn’t follow up on the training. This puts the burden on the family to decide on whether or not the nanny is a good fit.
The employer also incurs a financial risk. If the nanny does not complete the training or quits their job before the training is complete, then the family is not refunded for the training fee. The school offering the training delivered the service and it is the responsibility of the student to complete the program. Thus, if parents request a refund for a nanny that is no longer in their employment, they are often frustrated that a refund is not available.
What should you and your nanny agree on before paying for training?
Before paying for training, make sure you talk to your nanny and have agreed on the program, timeline, and whether or not the time to take the classes are paid or unpaid hours. Make sure the nanny knows the refund policy and the requirements or expectations for completion. Parents also need to know that they will no longer have access to the student account once it’s switched over to the nanny. When the purchase is transferred to the nanny, the nanny is the student and is the person who signs the enrollment agreement and uploads a copy of their government issued photo identification.
It’s recommended that you create an employment record regarding training that can be a part of or an addendum to their work agreement. One page is often enough and it should include their current qualifications. We recommend that first aid and CPR be required before hiring. You can then use this form to document any investment in nanny training, the timeline, and expectation that the nanny will share a copy of their completed certification. This section can also document who pays, what programs have been selected, and if the family is going to pay the school directly or reimburse the nanny. It’s worth discussing if the nanny is allowed to take classes on the phone when the child is napping or if that time could be used for other employed responsibilities.
Which training path fits your nanny?
The Nanny institute offers two paths for family employers to pay for nanny training. The first is for newborns and infants which is 20 hours of training. The second is a progressive series of trainings that take a nanny from basic to professional in five steps, each of which are 10 hours of training. The first step is the basic training program which is 10 hours. Whether starting with Basic or Newborn, the professional nanny program totals 50 hours and earns 7 certifications: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Specialist, Professional, Newborn and Infant Care and NCFE CACHE level 4 childcare provider.
The stepwise approach of 5 separate levels also allows a family to break the payments into 5 payments. This means parents are only paying for a program every three months. If the nanny leaves their employment, the parents haven’t paid upfront for the full program. This stepwise career ladder also helps nannies pace themselves to balance their work with taking classes.
Nanny professional development – path 1
- Basic childcare, 10 hours
- Intermediate childcare, additional 10 hours
- Advanced childcare, additional 10 hours
- Specialist childcare, additional 10 hours
- Professional childcare, additional 10 hours. Newborn 20 hours are included as they are embedded within the 50 hour program.
Nanny professional development – path 2
- Newborn and Infant care, 20 hours
- Professional childcare, additional 30 hours
Each level earns a certification. If the nanny chooses to start with Basic, they have 4 additional programs to get to professional nanny certification and they are Intermediate, Advanced, Specialist and Professional. For nannies that start with the newborn care specialist courses, they can invest in the professional program with 30 additional hours of training. Professional Nanny Certification is comprehensive including newborn care through elementary school age.
Once you and your nanny have agreed on the program and the timeline, you can buy it directly by enrolling in a program. If you have additional questions on how to build a successful nanny training program at the Nanny institute, please e-mail info@usnannyinstitute.com.
Can I get a refund if my nanny does not complete the training?
No. The refund policy applies to the purchase regardless of who paid for the training. If an employer or the nanny’s family member pays for the training, they choose to transfer that purchase to the nanny. When they transfer the purchase, the nanny is the new ‘owner’.
Should I make nanny training a condition of employment?
Employers can set job expectations that include completing required coursework if it’s agreed upon by both the family employer and the nanny. Requiring coursework from a nanny who is not interested in taking courses will likely add friction to the working relationship. If training is a condition of employment, make sure you document the expectation clearly at the start of employment and confirm applicable wage and hour requirements. It’s recommended you consult with a qualified employment professional to correctly navigate employment laws in your state and local community.
What happens if my nanny quits before finishing the nanny training?
Once purchased and transferred to the nanny, the ownership of the training program belongs to the nanny. The nanny’s employment status does not change the enrollment or the refund policy. Staging the training level by level and purchasing only one at a time limits how much exposure and fee payment you have as a family employer.
How do I talk to my nanny about training without sounding like I'm criticizing her?
When you talk with your nanny about training, frame it as a benefit rather than a correction. Communicate that you would like to fund professional development and ask what training she would find useful. Then ask how much time she would be willing to give training in a normal work week. Asking what she wants to learn and how much time she wants to commit per week shows that you are working with her on a progressive professional development path for career growth.
Is it worth paying for nanny training when they already have several years of experience?
Yes. Work experience and classwork deliver different things. Experience shows that your nanny has handled some real life situations based on their upbringing and life experiences. Coursework gives structure as to why children behave and develop as they do. It provides the background and information that helps elevate sitter skills into professional childcare. Nanny courses teach developmental milestones, behaviors that are normal for each age group and activities the nanny can do to help support the mental, emotional, social, and physical development of children through each stage. Few nannies learn this from their parents or high school. Experienced nannies often get more out of taking the courses because they have real life situations that help connect with the curriculum and make it more applicable to their daily work.
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