For many nannies, it’s totally normal to eventually reach a point in their career where they’re ready for something more. They still love working closely with families but want to expand their responsibilities, take on new challenges, and grow their earning potential. For many, the natural next step is moving from nanny to family assistant.

This career shift can open the door to more variety in your daily work, stronger long-term relationships with families, and a broader set of professional skills that serve you for years to come. But making the transition requires intention, preparation, and clear communication. Let’s explore how to make the transition from nanny to family assistant as seamlessly as possible.

1) What Does It Mean to Move from Nanny to Family Assistant?

A nanny’s primary focus is childcare, while a family assistant blends childcare with household management. Depending on the family’s needs, responsibilities may include:

• Coordinating the family’s schedules and activities
• Running errands (groceries, returns, dry cleaning, etc.)
• Managing household vendors or service providers
• Light household organization and administrative tasks
• Assisting with family events or travel coordination

For some nannies, this transition is gradual—picking up a few household management tasks over time—while others take on a full family assistant role from the very start.

2) Skills That Prepare You for the Shift

To step successfully from nanny to family assistant, you’ll want to highlight and build skills beyond childcare, such as:

• Organization: Managing multiple schedules and keeping household systems running smoothly.
• Time management: Balancing children’s needs with household responsibilities.
• Communication: Coordinating with parents, service providers, and sometimes extended family.
• Problem-solving: Anticipating needs and resolving issues before they become problems.
• Tech-savviness: Comfort with tech, apps, calendars, and online ordering systems that many households rely on.

If you’ve ever handled doctor appointments, managed school paperwork, or overseen a home repair visit, you’re already developing the skills needed for this transition. These may not seem like giant steps, but layering them into your daily duties can certainly not only help prepare you for the transition from nanny to family assistant but also prove to prospective families that you are well-equipped for the job.

3) Showing Families and Agencies You’re Ready

Agencies and employers need to know you’re prepared to handle a broader role. Here’s how to communicate your readiness:

• Update your resume: Add any household management tasks you’ve taken on in past positions.
• Highlight transferable skills: Showcase strengths like multitasking, budgeting, and project coordination.
• Express your goals: During your agency or family interviews, mention your interest in transitioning from nanny to family assistant.
• Seek training opportunities: Workshops in household management, family systems, or personal assisting can make your application stand out.
• Don’t forget about other positions: If you’ve worked as an assistant (personal, administrative, etc.) in the past, this is a great time to add it to your resume since it’s relevant for the types of jobs you’re seeking!

4) Tips for a Smooth Transition

Moving from nanny to family assistant doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Here are a few tips to make it work:

• Start small: Currently working with a family? Chat with them about taking on additional responsibilities. Perhaps a hybrid nanny/family assistant would be a great fit for their current needs. If possible, add one or two assistant responsibilities before diving into a full family assistant role.
• Clarify expectations: If you’re transitioning from nanny to family assistant with your current family, sit down with the family to create a written job description that balances childcare with new tasks. If it’s a new position, ensure your job duties, especially in relation to family assisting vs. nannying, are clear.
• Set boundaries: Taking on household responsibilities doesn’t mean being on-call for everything. Be clear about your scope of work.
• Ask for fair compensation: If you’re not working with an agency, make sure you are advocating for fair pay. Expanded responsibilities should come with increased pay, especially if you’re tackling both childcare and family assistant duties. Research family assistant salaries in your area to advocate for yourself.
• Stay flexible: Every family is different. Some may want you handling errands daily, while others may prioritize scheduling or vendor management.

5) Why This Transition Matters

Stepping from nanny to family assistant (or combining the two) can be a rewarding career move. Not only does it give you more professional growth opportunities, but it also deepens your relationship with the family. You’re no longer just the person who helps with childcare. You’re a trusted partner in keeping the household running smoothly.

For nannies who love variety, independence, organization, and responsibility, becoming a family assistant is a natural and fulfilling next step.