How to get an after-school nanny job (tips and tricks to prepare)
With the right prep work, you can land a high-paying after-school nanny job that still gives you plenty of time for other pursuits.
Do you want to work part-time with school-aged kids and in a job where you still make a real difference? If so, being an after-school nanny could be your ideal job! As a nanny agency, we’ve been helping skilled part-time nannies and lovely families with school-aged children find each other for going on 15 years. We’ve put together this guide to help you get ready for this cool role and stand out from the crowd.
What does after-school nanny work entail?
Being an after-school nanny is partly being a part-time nanny, but it also comes with its own unique tasks
Academic support: helping with homework will probably be a big part of your role. Brush up on different subjects and study tips to give the best academic help.
Time management: you'll be juggling pickups, activities, homework, and snacks in a short shift. Good organization and time management will help everything run smoothly.
Engaging creativity: all kids are curious and full of energy, and this definitely applies to school-aged kids. You'll need to plan fun and educational activities to keep them interested.
Brush up on your skills to get an edge
Loving kids and having some childcare experience is great, but there's more you can do to make sure your job application gets moved to the top of the parents’ pile.
Tutoring skills: improve your academic skills to provide awesome homework help. Get to know various subjects and study techniques, or really hone in on subjects you already like, to make those your areas of expertise. (This will also let you work as a tutor for specific subjects, a skill for which you can charge a high rate.) Learn how best to teach and motivate kids in the age group you’re looking to work.
Logistics: as we mentioned before, a large part of being an after-school nanny is juggling activities, pickups, and getting across town in time for practice. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the neighborhood where a family you’re interviewing with lives. Check how long it takes to walk/drive/commute from their house to the school, and maybe look up a few playgrounds nearby. This way, you can dazzle parents already at the interview stage, and they’ll feel even more confident when they move forward with your application.
Rack up relevant experience
Want to increase your chances of getting the job? Gain relevant experience specific to working with kids in school.
After-school programs: volunteering or working in after-school programs or tutoring centers gives you valuable hands-on experience with an academic edge.
Babysitting and childcare: general childcare experience like babysitting, nannying, or summer camps shows you can take care of kids' needs and keep them safe.
It starts with your resume
The road to getting that coveted after-school nanny job starts before you’ve even applied. When writing your resume, focus on your skills and experiences as an after-school nanny. Show off your homework help skills, activity planning, and routine management. Include any certifications like tutoring, first aid, or child development.
Are you ready to be a top after-school nanny?
At Smart Sitting, we help families across the country find their ideal after-school nanny every year. Our after-school nannies work part time while pursuing all sorts of awesome endeavors, be they actors destined for Broadway or grad school students about to become the educators of tomorrow.
We know what it takes to be a top after-school nanny, and candidates with that potential are the only ones we work with. If you think you have the experience, skills, and spirit to be a Smartsitter, we want to hear from you! Get your application started below, and let us find the right job for you.
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