Dreaming of becoming a professional nanny but feeling stuck because agencies keep turning you away for lack of experience? It can be frustrating when you’re ready to jump into a career you’re passionate about, only to find that agencies require more hands-on experience before they’ll place you in the types of jobs you’d love to have. But don’t worry! The good news is that there are plenty of ways to build your nannying resume and skillset before filling out an agency application.

Let’s walk through practical and realistic ways to gain the experience agencies are looking for so you can confidently take the next step in your nanny career and land the job you’ve always dreamed of.

1) Why Agencies Have Specific Experience Requirements

Families who hire through agencies expect nannies to be experienced, reliable, and capable of handling various childcare situations. While no family should expect their nanny to need zero training, nor should they expect them to be able to read their mind, they are often looking for someone who knows what this job and all that comes with working in a private home entail. Without prior experience, and the references to support your resume, it’s difficult for agencies to confidently place you in a professional nanny role.

In addition, families that choose to work with an agency are often making a significant financial investment in their childcare solutions. With an investment of this nature comes a certain set of expectations. To put it plainly, they’re often looking for the best of the best and to feel like this investment was money well spent. While we’re not saying it’s impossible for someone with minimal experience to thrive in the role, families working with an agency are typically not willing to take that gamble. They are looking for someone who can come in and use their experience and skill set to solve their problem, which is a lack of reliable and exceptional childcare.

It’s also important to consider the level of competition you’re up against. When you’re applying for roles alongside nannies who have ten or more years of hands-on, high-level experience, it’s incredibly tough to stand out without a comparable background. If you were hiring someone to care for your own children, wouldn’t you be more inclined to choose a candidate with a proven track record of excellence, glowing references, and years of success in the industry? That’s the mindset most agency clients bring to the table.

2) How to Gain Nannying Experience Before an Agency

We know what you’re thinking—if I can’t get a job without experience, but I can’t gain experience without getting a job, then what am I supposed to do? But don’t forget, we’re only covering agencies here. While agencies often have specific requirements for consideration, not every opportunity comes with the same set of requirements.

If you’re just starting out and you’re looking to build your resume and experience, here are some great ways to do just that:

a) Offer to Babysit for Friends and Family

A simple yet effective way to gain childcare experience is by offering to babysit for people you know. This allows you to practice essential skills such as managing routines, meal prep, and bedtime while demonstrating responsibility and reliability. Another possibility? Your friends and family may see how awesome you are with their kids and refer you to their friends and family. With a willingness to learn and the adaptability to improve as you go, one job could lead to many!

b) Look for Local Opportunities in Your Community

Many local community centers, churches, and after-school programs need childcare volunteers or part-time sitters. This experience not only helps you develop caregiving skills but also provides great references for future agency applications.

c) Join Facebook Groups and Local Parent Networks

Online community groups are great places to find babysitting or nannying jobs. Many parents post openings for sitters, and these short-term roles can help you gain the hands-on experience agencies look for.

d) Use Online Job Sites and Platforms

Websites like Care.com, Sittercity, and UrbanSitter offer opportunities to find childcare jobs directly. Families post a job, and you have the ability to apply directly. Creating a profile and securing a few jobs through these platforms can significantly strengthen your resume. That said, always prioritize your safety—avoid sharing personal information too early, communicate through the platform whenever possible, and consider meeting new families in public places or with a friend nearby until trust is established.

e) Check Craigslist for Childcare Gigs

Although Craigslist requires extra caution, many families post legitimate babysitting and nanny jobs there. In fact, some members of our own team have success stories from a Craigslist connection! If you choose to seek opportunities through Craigslist, always meet in a public place and make sure you have a written employment contract if hired.

3) You’ve Gained Experience—Now What?

Once you’ve built up solid childcare experience, it’s time to prepare for the next step: applying to agencies. Here’s what you can do to make yourself a standout candidate:

a) Build a Strong Resume

Your resume should highlight your childcare experience, responsibilities, and any special skills you bring to the role. Be sure to include:

• The ages of children you’ve cared for and the length of your previous roles.
• Specific duties such as meal prep, bedtime routines, tutoring, or household management.
• Any education earned or relevant certifications, such as CPR, First Aid, or child development courses.
• Additional skills like multilingual abilities, experience with special needs, or teaching background.

Keep your resume clear, professional, and tailored to a nannying career. Avoid overly personal details and stick to information that showcases your qualifications and reliability.

b) Ask for Letters of Recommendation

Strong letters of recommendation can make a huge difference in your agency application. Reach out to the families you’ve worked with and kindly ask if they’d be willing to write one for you. Here are some tips:

• Request letters from families where you had a long-term or particularly positive relationship.
• Give them a few key points to highlight, such as your reliability, creativity in engaging children, or ability to handle challenging situations.
• Request that they send you the letter as a PDF, preferably with a signature at the bottom to add credibility
• If they’re short on time, offer to draft a basic outline for them to personalize.

A well-written letter from a past employer can be a game-changer when applying to an agency.

c) Secure References

Beyond letters of recommendation, you’ll need strong, reliable references who can vouch for your experience and professionalism. While letters of recommendation are a great addition to your file, agencies will often contact references directly to verify your work history and ask about your strengths. Here’s how to prepare:

• Ask at least two or three families if they’re comfortable being listed as references, focusing on long-term and recent positions.
• Ensure you have their most up-to-date contact information and that they are aware that an agency may reach out.
• Choose references who can speak to your reliability, ability to manage different age groups, and overall performance as a caregiver.

Letting your references know ahead of time will help ensure a smooth process when an agency contacts them.

4) The Right Time to Apply to an Agency

Once you’ve gained a solid foundation of experience, you’ll be in a much better position to apply to an agency. Agencies prefer to work with candidates who can demonstrate professional childcare experience, strong references, and a thorough understanding of a nanny’s role. That said, every agency’s requirements are different. If you get turned away from one, that’s not the end! Keep reaching out and exploring opportunities that are in alignment with your goals. Additionally, if you were previously turned away from an agency and have since gained the necessary experience, now is the time to reach out again!

By taking the initiative to gain experience first, you’ll increase your chances of securing representation with great agencies and continuing your professional nannying career with confidence. Most reputable agencies look for candidates who can demonstrate a track record of excellent experience and reliability, child development knowledge, and strong references. These things just can’t be faked but rather are built through hands-on experience. Showing an agency that you’ve already put in the work to grow and excel in this field not only makes you a more attractive and competitive candidate—it proves you’re serious about providing high-quality care. And that dedication and professionalism are exactly what agencies (and families) are looking for.