How to Assess a Nanny's Resume
A practical guide to evaluating tenure, age-range experience, certifications, employment gaps, and references.
Quick Answer
On a nanny's resume, prioritize tenure over volume of experience. One candidate who stayed three years with two families tells you more than one who worked for eight families in five years. Look for continuity, age-appropriate experience, and references you can actually call.
What Tenure Actually Tells You
Long stays with individual families -- two years or more -- signal that a nanny builds real relationships and is not constantly jumping for better pay. Short stints with many families can indicate personality conflicts, reliability issues, or a pattern of moving on when things get hard. Ask about the reason for every departure directly in the interview.
Age Range Experience
A nanny with five years of experience exclusively with school-age children may not be the right fit for your six-month-old. Check that their listed experience actually aligns with where your child is now. Infant and newborn care in particular requires specific skills that general childcare experience does not automatically transfer to.
Certifications That Matter
Current CPR and First Aid certification is a baseline requirement, not a differentiator. California nanny agencies are required to use TrustLine when placing caregivers. Families hiring independently should also verify a caregiver’s current TrustLine status. Beyond that, look for: formal early childhood education, Newborn Care Specialist training (if relevant), and any specialized certifications for children with special needs (if applicable).
Gaps in Employment
Gaps are not automatically a red flag. Family caregiving, relocation, or a gap between nanny roles is normal. Ask about any gap longer than three months in the interview. The answer will tell you something about how a candidate communicates and takes accountability.
What to Ignore on a Nanny Resume
Long lists of duties that describe the job description rather than their specific contribution. References that are friends or family (ask for employer-only references). Vague descriptions of roles without specific ages, family sizes, or responsibilities.
References Are the Real Resume
Treat the paper resume as a shortlist tool only. The real evaluation happens on reference calls. Ask references specifically about tenure, communication style, how the nanny handled difficult situations, and whether they would hire them again without hesitation.
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