Applying for Child Care Jobs on Care.com: Next Steps

Stolov recommends to always send a follow up thank you note or email to the parents, especially if you think you̵7;ve found the right fit. Make sure to reiterate your interest in the job and share what parts of the interview made an impression on you. This can help secure the job you want and distinguish you from other candidates.

The Job Offer: What Comes Next

Perhaps you feel that the family isn̵7;t right for you, in which case, you should honestly and politely decline the offer.

But hopefully you have found a family with whom you are excited to work. In which case, accept the offer and then prepare for some nitty-gritty conversations!


Nanny Contract

: Now is the time to get technical. Determine your salary and lay out your hours and responsibilities. Ask about raises, paid vacations, taxes, and health insurance. Once you and the family have agreed on everything, document it in the form of a contract so that there isn̵7;t any confusion down the road and your new employers can̵7;t renege on their promises. The agreement should be updated annually and renegotiated if any changes come up that affect your responsibilities (i.e. There̵7;s a new baby you will be caring for).

Communication: Parents should schedule a meeting with you once a month to address any issues that arise and give you constructive feedback. If not, be proactive in setting aside time to connect with your employer when the kids aren̵7;t around. Ask about your performance ̵1; what is working and what could be different.

Discipline: Behavioral struggles with the kids can be a sticky situation. They can be more difficult if you aren̵7;t on the same page as the parents. Before you take the job make sure your philosophy is on point or flexible with how they manage discipline. Ask them specific questions, including those pertaining to the house rules, and talk through different scenarios until you feel comfortable. For example, if they take away privileges as punishment, ask for how long. Chances are this issue will come up more than once and you should continue to discuss and work through it in your monthly check in.

Before or on your first day, take the time to ask about emergency contact numbers and set up a plan of attack for the unexpected (accidents, emergencies, etc.) on the job.

Read all articles in the Applying For Child Care Jobs Guide: 

  • Applying for Child Care Jobs on Care.com: The Job Process Overview
  • Applying for Child Care Jobs on Care.com: The Interview
  • Applying for Child Care Jobs on Care.com: Questions To Expect and To Ask
  • Applying for Child Care Jobs on Care.com: Next Steps

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