It’s no secret that The Hamptons are home to many of New York State’s most affluent families. And one of the luxuries said families often seek out is top tier childcare.
Given its proximity to New York City, plenty of parents may commute to and from The Big Apple for work and might not arrive home until well into the evening. That said, having a trusted adult to watch after their children—whether toddlers or teenagers—is a must.
But what does it take to work for a family in one of New York’s wealthiest communities? How can you stand out amongst the competition? If you’re looking to become a nanny in The Hamptons (even with no prior nannying experience), read on for some tips and suggestions.
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What Types of Nannies Work in The Hamptons and What Do They Do?
Whether or not you want full time nannying to be your sole career in The Hamptons, there are plenty of paths and options you can take in this profession. You could be a part-time/hourly nanny type, where you might only be required to work nights, after school, or on any other as-needed basis; a full time, live-in nanny who resides with and integrates into the family’s life; a full time, live-out nanny who does not reside with the family but commutes to work 40-50 hours a week as well as solely focuses on childcare; au pairs, who are young students from foreign countries who may be required to nanny and/or housekeep in exchange for room, board, and stipend allowance; or a summer nanny who works part or full time while school’s out for the season.
Not to mention, when thinking about working as a nanny in The Hamptons, you should also anticipate what might be asked of you besides caring for the family’s kiddos. Perhaps you’ll be a nanny who also tends to do chores and upkeep around your client’s house. Therefore, you might be expected to cook, clean, and even care for the family’s pets in addition to child rearing. If the children are in school, you might need to bring them to school and/or pick them up. Also, you could be tasked with planning play dates, prepping their meals for the week (and weekend), and/or shuttling them to birthday parties and sports games.
Regardless of the duties you’re faced with, it’s important that you can be flexible to the family’s needs while still maintaining healthy boundaries. That is to say: don’t overextend yourself to the point of burnout—sometimes you’ll need to say no to things, especially if it’s not part of your job description.
How much do nannies make in The Hamptons?
As of 2021, the median household income for a family living in East Hampton, New York, was $125,861. Thus, it may be fair to say that these families can afford to pay their nannies a handsome wage.
According to Zippia.com, the average nanny in East Hampton makes $47,944 annually and the average hourly rate is $23.05 an hour. What’s more is that the high end of this salary could be as much as $70,000 per year.
And if you’re wondering where nannies are paid the most, Indeed.com reports that nannies make the most in New York out of any other state in the United States, with an average base rate of $22.17 per hour. So, it looks like this is as good as it gets for a nanny salary-wise, and generally speaking, it’s good but not great. However, consider that families may take care of their nannies in other ways, such as bringing them on family vacations, providing free housing and food, giving them gifts, and/or providing a vehicle for them to use.
We’d also like to take this opportunity to encourage and empower potential nannies to advocate for a fair, livable pay. As previously discussed, the family you’re working for may require you to perform extra duties aside from caring for their children. Additionally, you may even have to use your own car to pick up and/or drop off the kids—or you’re bringing them somewhere on a day trip—so, this is a major factor to consider when naming your rate. Moreover, based on what your current resume contains, you could have several years of childcare under your belt; an educational background in something like psychology, childhood education, and nursing; and other impressive qualifications to make you an asset to their lives and family structure.
Aside from championing fair pay, we wanted to mention that nannies also have specific rights in New York State (such as a legal minimum wage and unemployment insurance), so be sure to read up on those as well.
How Can One Become a Live-In Nanny in The Hamptons With No Experience?
Depending on what family you’re applying to work for in The Hamptons, they may be looking for someone who has worked with children in some capacity, such as babysitting, being a part-time daycare employee, or even volunteering at a children’s hospital. As long as you have some past experiences that reflect your love for children, there’s plenty that you can leverage on your resume.
However, some families may require a bit more in terms of formal and professional credibility.
What qualifications and/or license requirements does one need to work as a nanny in The Hamptons?
Other materials and documents you might have to provide are proof of vaccination for various illnesses; a criminal background check; and, for some, a college degree (or college courses) or at the very least a high school diploma.
Skills and certifications potential nannies should have
In regards to certifications, there are countless online courses one can take to add more professional credibility to their repertoire. Even though New York State doesn’t require a license to be a nanny, one can still become a certified nanny from a reputable online source. Also available online are courses in First Aid/CPR, infant care, foreign language(s), childhood education, special needs care, and discipline training.
Though it may be obvious, it’s also critical to have sharp and adaptable communication skills when working as a nanny. Whether you’re caring for two children under four, a moody teenager, or an autistic child, you may need to adjust how you speak to them.
How to Find Families Seeking Nannies in The Hamptons
Conclusion
Being a nanny in The Hamptons is one of the most lucrative nannying gigs one can land in the entire United States. Given the clientele, these prominent families will be seeking out the best of the best because they can afford to.
While, yes, you can be a nanny without any formal license or prior experience, you’ll be better off with more credentials on your resume than not. Thankfully, there are an array of online resources where you can earn certifications to strengthen your background, enhance your knowledge and stand out amongst your competition.
Furthermore, if you’re incredibly passionate about childcare and you want a stable nannying position, each cent and/or second will be well spent in bringing this goal to fruition.
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