10 Characteristics of a Good Nanny That Every Employer Should Look For

Hiring a nanny is not just about filling a vacancy—it is about finding someone who fits your home, understands your child, and adds value to the daily running of your family. Understanding the top characteristics of a good nanny helps employers make smarter hiring decisions, reduce replacements, and build long-term working relationships based on trust and professionalism.

A professional nanny does more than supervise a child; she becomes a positive influence, a reliable partner in parenting, and sometimes even an emotional pillar in the home. This article explores the top qualities employers should prioritize when hiring a nanny, based on real household expectations across Kenya and the world.

Discover the 10 most important characteristics of a good nanny that every household should consider. A complete employer-focused guide to choosing
Top Characteristics of a Good Nanny: Two house helps representing modern domestic workers in contemporary households.



1. Genuine Love for Children

A good nanny must genuinely enjoy being around children. Passion for childcare is the foundation for patience, consistency, and emotional understanding.

Signs that a nanny loves working with children include:

  • Smiling and energetic around kids

  • Shows natural affection

  • Understands different child personalities

  • Enjoys teaching and guiding

A nanny who loves children makes them feel safe, understood, and valued. Employers should always observe how the candidate interacts with a child before confirming employment.

Suggested: How to Interview a Nanny Professionally

2. Responsible and Trustworthy

A nanny is in the home when parents are not. Trustworthiness is therefore non-negotiable. An employer should feel confident that the nanny will:

  • Respect rules

  • Follow instructions

  • Protect the home’s privacy

  • Prioritize the child’s safety

  • Make responsible decisions in emergencies

Background checks, references and well-structured interviews give better insight into how reliable a nanny has been in the past.

3. Good Communication Skills

A strong nanny communicates clearly with both the employer and the child. Communication matters because:

  • Parents need updates about daily routines

  • Children need instructions they can understand

  • Mistakes need to be discussed professionally

  • Household tasks require clarity

A good nanny should also be comfortable reporting issues early—such as illness, behavior change, or supply shortages.

4. Patience and Emotional Stability

Children test limits, get emotional, cry, make mistakes, and sometimes behave unpredictably. A quality nanny remains patient, calm, and emotionally stable even under pressure.

Examples of emotional intelligence in a nanny:

  • Avoids shouting

  • Explains instead of threatening

  • Remains firm but kind

  • Understands child growth stages

  • Handles tantrums without drama

A nanny who stays calm helps create a peaceful and stable home for the child.

5. Professionalism and Strong Work Ethic

Professionalism separates average nannies from exceptional ones. This quality ensures the employer always knows what to expect without constant supervision.

Professional nannies:

  • Are punctual

  • Keep schedules

  • Take the job seriously

  • Maintain proper hygiene

  • Respect workplace boundaries

  • Do not misuse phones or personal time

Employers should clearly define expectations in a work contract to maintain professionalism and transparency throughout the employment period.

Suggested Read: 15 Rules Every Employer need to Introduce to their Homes

6. Honesty and High Personal Integrity

A nanny spends time in private spaces—kitchen, bedrooms, laundry, and the rest of the home. Without honesty, trust breaks quickly and the relationship collapses.

Indicators of honesty in a nanny:

  • Returns excess change

  • Admits mistakes

  • Is transparent about situations

  • Does not hide personal issues that may affect work

  • Has clean references from former employers

Employers should create an open environment where a nanny feels safe reporting issues truthfully without fear.

7. Adaptability and Flexibility

Children grow. Schedules shift. Employers travel or change working hours. A good nanny can adapt to routine changes without becoming overwhelmed.

Examples of adaptability:

  • Learning new household routines

  • Adjusting to new child activities

  • Handling unexpected changes in schedule

  • Managing new tasks confidently

However, flexibility should always be mutually respectful—nannies should not be overworked simply because they are adapting well.

8. Good Organizational and Time Management Skills

A well-organized nanny makes the household run smoothly. Employers often notice the difference immediately when the nanny:

  • Prepares meals on time

  • Manages play, homework, baths and sleep without rushing

  • Keeps play areas and toys organized

  • Plans ahead for school items, snacks, or activities

  • Keeps track of children’s daily progress

This quality reduces stress for everyone and enables the nanny to work with minimal supervision.

9. Knowledge of Childcare and Development

A qualified nanny understands how children grow physically, socially, emotionally, and mentally. This enables her to:

  • Teach age-appropriate lessons

  • Identify developmental delays

  • Recognize illness early

  • Support educational progress

  • Provide appropriate discipline

Not all nannies need formal certificates, but a good one has practical experience and a continuous learning mindset.

Employers should ask questions such as:

  • “What do you do if a child refuses to eat?”

  • “How do you manage screen time?”

  • “How do you teach new skills?”

The answers will reveal her approach to childcare.

10. Respect for the Employer’s Home and Values

Every home is different. A great nanny respects:

  • Household rules

  • Cultural beliefs

  • Privacy

  • Food preferences

  • Parenting style

  • Religion

  • Lifestyle choices

A nanny who undermines the employer’s authority or imposes her own ideas creates conflict quickly.

During interviews, employers should communicate:

  • Parenting expectations

  • House rules

  • Boundaries

  • Non-negotiable instructions

  • Confidentiality expectations

Clear understanding prevents future misunderstandings.

Bonus Qualities Modern Employers Appreciate

As household standards evolve, many employers also prioritize:

Tech Awareness

A nanny who can:

  • Use WhatsApp for daily updates

  • Manage educational apps

  • Record daily schedules digitally

…often delivers better reporting and modern-day efficiency.

First Aid Knowledge

Even basic first aid—burns, choking, fever response—can save a life.

A Positive Personality

Cheerful nannies make homes feel warm and uplifting.

Maturity

Older or more experienced nannies often:

  • Keep emotions in control

  • Make safer decisions

  • Handle pressure better

However, young nannies with the right mindset can also perform excellently.

How Employers Can Evaluate These Qualities

Hiring becomes easier when employers use structured processes such as:

✔ Professional Interviews

Ask scenario-based questions:

  • “What would you do if the child refuses to sleep?”

  • “How do you discipline without shouting?”

✔ Reference Checks

Call former employers and ask:

  • “Was she reliable and trustworthy?”

  • “Any issues I should know?”

✔ Trial Work Period

A one-week probation allows employers to observe real-life performance.

✔ Written Employment Agreement

Ensures that:

  • Salary

  • Duties

  • Off-days

  • Rules
    …are clearly understood.

Suggested: 5 ways a Smart Nanny can Make Money Using her Phone

Why Getting the Right Nanny Matters

A great nanny:

  • Reduces parenting stress

  • Creates a safe and affectionate environment

  • Helps children learn faster

  • Makes household routines predictable

  • Builds long-term family stability

On the other hand, hiring the wrong nanny results in:

  • Constant replacements

  • Child discomfort

  • Unnecessary conflicts

  • Unpredictable performance

Investing time in selection protects both the employer and the child.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the top characteristics of a good nanny helps employers make better choices and build long-term, professional working relationships. Whether hiring locally in Kenya or abroad, the best nanny is not just someone who cooks, cleans and supervises, but someone who:

  • Cares

  • Communicates

  • Respects

  • Learns

  • Works professionally

As childcare continues to become recognized as a skilled profession, standards should rise—and employers who choose right enjoy happier children, peaceful homes, and greater confidence.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gulf Opportunities: Why Kenyan House Helps are Doing Good in the Gulf – 10 Advantages

Image
For thousands of East African women, particularly those from Kenya, the call of the Gulf—including Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Qatar, and Lebanon—represents more than just a job; it is a lifeline to prosperity and a chance to rewrite their family’s financial story. The opportunity to work as a professional domestic helper or nanny in these regions offers significant and undeniable advantages over employment prospects back home. Kenyan house help smiling while working in a Gulf country. This post is a comprehensive guide for every hardworking Kenyan or East African seeking a better future. We will explore the ten most crucial advantages, with a special focus on the transformative financial rewards that await. Our target keyword for this post is "Kenyan House Help Salary Gulf Countries" , as it directly addresses the primary motivation for migration: a vastly improved income and financial stability. The Financial Revolution: Salary and Savings Power The most compelling reason for mig...
Read more

15 Smart House Help Rules Every Employer Must Set for a Smooth, Respectful, and Organized Home

Image
Bringing a new house help into your home is one of the most important decisions any employer can make. A home is private, sensitive, and deeply personal. Without clear structure, even the most hardworking house help may struggle to understand your expectations, routines, and boundaries. That is why setting house help rules is not a sign of strictness — it is an act of leadership, clarity, and mutual respect. Well-defined rules help your new house help feel confident, reduce mistakes, build trust, and protect your home from misunderstandings. More importantly, they create a healthy working relationship where both the employer and the house help know exactly what is expected. 1. Start With a Clear Daily Routine A house help works best when she knows exactly what to do and when to do it. Example rule: Start your morning at 6:30 AM with cleaning the kitchen, followed by sweeping the compound before breakfast prep. For more guidance, read: Daily Routine for House Helps: A Simple Emp...
Read more

5 Smart Ways a Sharp House Help Can Make Extra Money Using Her Phone

Image
  Introduction Life as a house help can be busy — cleaning, cooking, caring for children, and managing daily chores. But every hardworking woman deserves financial freedom and a chance to grow beyond her salary. In today’s world, a  smartphone  isn’t just for chatting, watching videos, or social media — it’s a  tool for business and opportunity . With a little discipline, creativity, and data bundles, you can use your phone to make extra money — even with your busy schedule. At  House Girls Village & Bureau , we believe in empowering domestic workers to dream bigger and earn smarter. So, here are  five practical ways a house help can use her smartphone to make extra income  — during her evenings, lunch breaks, or on her off days. Flat-style digital illustration of an African house help in a green headscarf and apron smiling while holding a smartphone and a red savings box. Around her are five icons showing ways to make extra income using a smartpho...
Read more