In an industry built on trust, character, and reliability, your past employers hold the key to showing future families exactly who you are as a caregiver. High-quality nanny references help you stand out in a competitive market, highlight your strengths, and give hiring families the confidence they need to bring you into their home. And in a competitive industry, understanding how to request, maintain, and use your nanny references is one of the most valuable skills you can develop in your career.

Here’s how to gather detailed nanny references, how to stay connected with past families, and why your references can open doors to the jobs you want most.

1) Why Nanny References Matter More Than You Think

Your resume and interview can communicate your experience, but references bring your work to life. Families rely on references to understand:

• How you handled daily responsibilities
• Your communication style
• Your ability to connect with children
• Your reliability and professionalism
• How you responded to challenges
• What it is like to work with you long-term

Because families are inviting someone into their home and trusting them with their children, references carry more influence than almost any other part of the hiring process. The stronger and more descriptive your nanny references are, the easier it is for families to imagine you succeeding in their household.

2) How to Request Detailed Nanny References

Many caregivers feel awkward asking for nanny references, but the process is simple when approached professionally. Here is how to ask in a way that sets you up for success:

a) Ask at the right time

The best moment to request nanny references is near the end of your employment, while the experience is still fresh. This ensures the family can recall specific examples and speak to your recent work.

b) Explain exactly what you need

Let the family know you are gathering nanny references for future opportunities. Ask if they are comfortable providing both written and verbal references.

c) Give them a structure to follow

Families often want to help but may not know what to include. Provide a short template, such as:

• Ages of the children when you started
• Your core responsibilities
• Strengths they observed in your care
• Examples of moments when you were especially helpful
• Why they would recommend you to another family

d) Verify contact details

Make sure you have the correct phone number and email address. Families appreciate knowing when they might be contacted, so reassure them that agencies or families will reach out respectfully.

When you make the process easy, families are more likely to create strong references that truly highlight your abilities.

3) Why Staying in Touch with Past Families Matters

One of the smartest ways to build long-term career security is to stay connected with past employers. High-quality nanny references become even stronger when the family remembers you fondly and feels close to your journey.

Staying in touch helps you by:

• Keeping your relationship warm and genuine
• Making future reference checks faster and easier
• Ensuring the family remembers details about your work
• Opening the door to referrals for future job opportunities
• Showing families that you care about the long-term relationships you build

You do not need to stay in constant contact. A simple check-in around holidays, a message when children hit milestones, or a quick hello every few months is enough to maintain a positive connection.

4) How to Use Your Nanny References Strategically

Once you have strong nanny references, you can utilize them to secure the roles you truly want. Consider the following strategies:

• Share your nanny references early in the hiring process to build trust
• Tell families what each reference highlights so they know who to call
• Keep your references up to date and rotate them for different job types
• Have both written and verbal references available
• Use specific examples from your nanny references during interviews to strengthen your answers

When your references clearly support your experience, you show families that you are consistent, reliable, and committed to excellence.

5) A Simple Template to Request Nanny References

Here is a template you can send to a past employer to request nanny references:

“Hi [Name],

I hope you are doing well! I am preparing materials for future nanny opportunities and wanted to ask if you would be comfortable serving as one of my nanny references. If so, it would be incredibly helpful if you could share your experience working with me by describing the children’s ages, my responsibilities, any strengths you observed, and any moments that stood out during our time together. I would also love to list you as a verbal reference if you are open to it. Thank you so much for your support. It means a great deal to me.”

This message is simple, respectful, and helps families understand exactly what to include. If you haven’t been in contact for a while, it helps to add a personal approach as well, such as checking in on a nanny kid’s sports endeavors or asking how the nap routine is going.

Strong nanny references are one of the most powerful tools in your career. They prove your professionalism, showcase your strengths, and build trust with new families before you even meet them. When you collect detailed references, stay connected with past employers, and use those references strategically, you position yourself for long-term success in the industry.

Invest time in building great relationships and requesting thoughtful references, and you will be ready to step confidently into the roles you want most.