Thinking about becoming a nanny abroad?
There is an increasing demand for nannies all over the world today. People are always looking for new ways to supplement their income during the current global economic crisis. This means parents spend less time with their kids, hence the need for professional nannies.
So if you’re a kid-lover or someone who generally fancies being in charge of your nephews and nieces, this could be a potentially cash-cow for you.
Americans are migrating to become nannies abroad on both a full-time and/or part-time basis.
Unfortunately, while the international nanny market is trending upward and people all over the world are constantly cashing out on this unique opportunity, there is limited information out there about how to become a nanny abroad, especially one with no experience.
In this article, we’ll explain every single piece of information you need to start your journey as a successful international nanny or nanny abroad.
Table of Contents
Difference between being a Nanny Abroad and an Au Pair
The common perception is that nannies abroad and au pairs are the same people. While both jobs involve taking care of children, they are not entirely the same.
A nanny is a professional who is hired for a fixed amount of money or salary to look after the children of others. The nanny is not entitled to any sort of formal education or exposure to the local culture from her host family.
Au pairs, on the other hand, are young individuals who care for children in exchange for language and cultural lessons. An au pair doesn’t receive a full-time salary. Instead, they are given pocket money or a small allowance.
Literally, au pairs exchange their services, mostly childcare and light housework, for cultural lessons.
The Au pair program is mostly for international students or study abroad students hoping to learn about their destination country’s culture without having to pay extra money for this via hiring a tour guide for example.
Benefits of Being a Nanny Abroad
Being a nanny abroad is not just a lucrative business that can easily become a sustainable income source for you and loved ones. It also has a great number of benefits that might surprise you.
Here are some benefits of being a nanny abroad:
You Earn More
Most foreign countries, especially European countries and those in the Middle East and Asia, pay their nannies quite well. I mean, you are pretty much in charge of their kids, so they ought to pay you well.
Not to mention, because international nannies are valued in these countries for their native English speaking capability, you will be paid significantly more than your American counterparts here at home.
If you’re fortunate enough to work in a country where the currency is more valuable than the US dollar, you can earn a lot more in terms of foreign exchange.
If you become really good at your job, you could earn extra tips and allowances to even push your earnings a lot higher.
All-Expense Paid Trips
For the first time in such a long time, you get to fly around the globe without having to worry about travel tickets, your hotel lodging, or your meals between flights. Most nanny abroad agencies and families are willing to take care of your travel expenses from your home country to your new home.
It is always a thrilling experience to be on the receiving end of such generosity!
Amazing Cultural Experiences
Have you ever fancied using chopsticks but never had the chance to truly do that in your home? A trip to Asia for a nanny abroad job will give you the chance to experience this over and over again.
You get to enjoy different cultural experiences as you switch from one nanny job to another. It’s safe to say you’ll become a multicultural citizen at the end of your career.
There is so much joy in knowing a bit about every culture. International nanny? Surely worth it.
You Learn More About Kids
Children are unpredictable but with a nanny abroad job, you are more than qualified to become a childcare expert. Handling different kids from different backgrounds gives you the knowledge and experiences needed to handle your own kids – if you intend to have them.
On the other hand, you could totally open a consultancy firm where you train parents on how to take care of their kids. You do have the experience for this. Shouldn’t be a big deal.
Where To Get Nanny Abroad Jobs?
Finding the best nanny abroad jobs can be difficult since there are lots of scammers taking advantage of the industry.
Your best bet for authentic nanny abroad jobs will be recognized job boards and known domestic working agencies in the United States that can connect with families or clients overseas who are seeking childcare.
You can make use of a popular job listing site such as Indeed in the desired country you plan to work in for some of the latest nanny abroad jobs available. For example, let’s say that you are interested in working as a nanny abroad in Canada, you can then head over to the Indeed’s Canada site and search for nanny jobs. When searching for nanny jobs, be sure to look through job posts and ensure that they are from reputable agencies or employers who are willing to hire nannies abroad or outside of Canada.
For a wider range of alternatives, you can simply do a quick search on Facebook, using the search term “international nanny jobs.” Filter through the results and find as well as join active Facebook groups that contain job posts from agencies/families/employers who are seeking nannies abroad.
Lastly, you can search for Facebook groups that deal with job postings in the country that you want to nanny in and post your qualifications and skills (as well as making it clear that you are looking for an international nanny or childcare position) to said groups so that families may contact you directly.
How to Become a Nanny Abroad with No Experience
To become a nanny abroad with no experience, you need to show a desire for learning, commitment towards growing your career and an affection for kids. This is the most basic way to find your way through this journey of becoming a nanny abroad.
Furthermore, families abroad would want to see you have some form of professional experience dealing with children. You can acquire professional experience here at home by working at a daycare center, volunteering at a nursery school or preschool, taking on babysitting and nannying gigs from reputable childcare sites such as Care and Sittercity and becoming a tutor or even better a substitute teacher. You can also strengthen your case to international families seeking a nanny by also investing in the time to acquire the preferred educational background and qualifications (read further below).
Qualifications for Becoming a Nanny Abroad
Like any other job, there are particular requirements for becoming a nanny anywhere in the world. While the requirements may differ slightly from country to country, here are the most basic requirements for becoming a nanny abroad.
- Fluent in the English Language
- Background in Early Childhood Education
- No Criminal Records
- CPR and First aid certification
- Tech Savvy
Apart from the criminal record check and the CPR and First aid certification (which can be acquired at your local YMCA or the Red Cross), most of these qualifications can be acquired online. This makes it extremely easy for you to prepare yourself for this mega step in your professional career.
You can supercharge your English fluency via courses online that focus on grammar and writing. Even a plus if you have professional working fluency in the language of the country you plan on nannying in. To accomplish this feat, you can try learning a new language on platforms such as Babbel and Rosetta Stone.
For Early Childhood Education and related childcare fields (child development, child psychology etc.), you can take courses on learning platforms such as Udemy and Coursera. These platforms also offer comprehensive courses that can equip you with the right skills to become tech savvy in today’s fast-moving world and, thus, provide a well-rounded education to children.
Best Countries for Nanny Abroad Jobs
Becoming a nanny in a foreign country is great. But it’s even greater if you choose the best countries for this adventure.
It’s no lie that some countries generally don’t appreciate nannies very well. You are better off staying back at home than going to some of these countries to become a nanny.
However, some countries value nannies and provide numerous incentives to keep them on the job for an extended period of time.
Here is a list of the best countries for nanny abroad jobs today, in no particular order.
- Germany (Affordable accommodation, good salary and overall nice quality of life in the country)
- Netherlands (Beautiful cities and job openings for non-EU citizens)
- Australia (Good salary with an amazing atmosphere and beautiful places to visit)
- China ( Diverse cultural society, welcoming families, good salary and an opportunity to teach English for extra income)
- France (Beautiful country with the chance to learn French and live in a top city such as Paris)
- United Kingdom (Popular destination for nannies, good salary, opportunity to learn British English and enjoy British lifestyle)
- Canada ( Great opportunity with numerous families due to recent labor shortages in the country, Good salary, opportunity to explore a vast and an expansive country with beautiful destinations such as Montreal, Quebec, Toronto and more)
- Switzerland (Great quality of life with a high salary to match)
- UAE ( High salary and accommodations such as medical benefits, food, generous holidays and overall more free time)
What are the Dangers of Working Abroad as a Nanny
Becoming a nanny abroad can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. However, it can completely backfire and become a terrible experience if you fail to notice common red flags.
Unfriendly contract terms are among the most common red flags that come with working as a nanny abroad. Most international nanny agencies offer very stringent contract terms during the application process.
Some of these conditions can include very high commissions on your earnings or a restriction on your movement in the country, as well as a lifetime stay in your new country.
These are all clearly stated in your contract. So, failure to read your contract carefully can land you in dire trouble.
It’s important to read the fine print carefully and preferably talk to a lawyer before you sign a contract with an agency. You may never know what’s truly hidden in the contracts you sign. The excitement of traveling abroad is enough to limit your scrutiny of such contracts.
Final Words
Do you love kids and want to take that love a step further and start making money with your passion? Then being a nanny is absolutely right for you. But like any other profession, you need to know where to start and how to get yourself ready for the long haul.
While there are many nanny jobs in your home country, you stand a better chance of scaling your income and becoming a well-recognized professional nanny by working in a foreign country.
We believe that this article on ‘how to become a nanny abroad’ will help shape your dream of becoming an international nanny and a well-paid one at that.
Got any further questions or comments? Leave them in the comments below and we will be glad to assist you.
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