How Nannies Can Upsell Their Skills
The role of a nanny is already incredibly valuable—offering childcare, emotional support, and structure to a family’s day. But in today’s competitive job market, nannies who go above and beyond their traditional responsibilities can stand out and secure better opportunities.
By identifying additional skills and talents, nannies can make themselves indispensable, ensuring families see them as more than just childcare providers but as an essential part of their household. Here’s how nannies can upsell their skills and increase their value.
Cooking Talents: From Everyday Meals to Showstopping Bakes
Are you an amazing baker or love experimenting in the kitchen? Many families would love a nanny who can whip up nutritious meals for children and perhaps even help with family meal prepping for busy parents.
- Bake fun treats with the children as an activity, fostering creativity and hands-on learning
- Plan and cook family dinners a couple of times a week, helping parents save time.
- Suggest meal planning and grocery shopping as part of your role.
If you have a passion for food, this could set you apart from other candidates, particularly in households where healthy eating is a priority.
Qualified or Experienced in Sports & Activities? Offer Extra Lessons!
Do you have a background in swimming, gymnastics, yoga, or another sport? Parents often spend a lot of time and money on extracurricular activities. If you can offer these services, you instantly make yourself a highly desirable nanny.
- If you’re a qualified swimming instructor, offer lessons as part of your nannying services.
- Plan active play sessions—whether it’s yoga, dance, or simple outdoor exercise—to keep children moving.
- Help with sports training if the children are involved in a team or hobby.
This is especially useful for busy families who struggle to fit in after-school clubs and want a nanny who can keep their children active.
Event Planning: Making Special Occasions Unforgettable
If you love planning and organising, offer your services for birthday parties, playdates, or even family gatherings? Many parents would appreciate the extra support when it comes to planning and executing special events.
- Offer to plan and organise birthday parties, from themes to decorations and games.
• Help plan family events, such as picnics or holiday celebrations, taking stress off the parents even a wedding!
This can be an especially attractive skill for parents who love the idea of beautiful events but don’t have the time to organise them.
Organisation and Decluttering: The Ultimate Household Helper
Are you the type of person who thrives on order? Some families struggle to keep up with home organisation, particularly in areas like children’s wardrobes, playrooms, and homework spaces. If you have a natural talent for decluttering and organising, this could be a great way to add value.
- Offer to organise and declutter children’s wardrobes seasonally.
- Help tidy and refresh play areas, making toys more accessible and easy to find.
- Set up structured spaces for homework and learning to boost productivity.
- Suggest a family home reset, where you help parents streamline their busy household.
Parents who work full-time or have large families will find this skill invaluable, and it can truly set you apart as a nanny who does more than just childcare.
Love Dogs? Offer Dog Walking or Pet Care Services
Many families with pets struggle to find time for daily dog walks. If you love animals, why not offer dog-walking or pet-care services as an enjoyable part of your day?
- Suggest incorporating dog walks into your daily routine with the children.
- Offer to feed and care for pets while parents are away.
- Include pet-friendly activities in outdoor playtime.
This small addition to your role can make a huge difference to families with busy schedules.
Teaching & Tutoring: Supporting Learning at Home
If you have a teaching background or a passion for education, tutoring children alongside nannying duties can be a major selling point. Many parents are looking for nannies who can support their children’s academic growth.
- Help with homework and school projects.
- Create fun, educational activities to enhance learning.
- Support early years development through reading, phonics, and numeracy games.
- Offer tutoring in a specific subject if you have expertise in areas like maths, science, or languages.
Parents value education and will see you as a key figure in their child’s academic journey, making you a must-have nanny.
Driving & Errands: Becoming an All-in-One Household Support
Having a driving licence and a car can make a nanny more attractive to families. If you’re happy to assist with school runs, grocery shopping, or running errands, this can be a great way to position yourself as a household essential.
- Help with grocery shopping, dry cleaning, or pharmacy runs.
- Assist with transporting children to after-school clubs and activities.
This level of flexibility makes you more valuable and helps busy parents manage their daily responsibilities with ease.
Once you’ve identified your additional skills, the next step is to market them effectively. Here’s how:
Make sure your nanny profile highlights all the extra skills you bring to the table. List them in a dedicated section under “Additional Skills” to make them stand out.
If a family is unsure whether they need additional services, offer a trial where you showcase your expertise—whether it’s cooking, tutoring, or organising.
Communicate Clearly
During interviews, confidently explain how your additional skills can benefit the family. Give real-life examples of how your talents have helped past employers.
Charge Accordingly
Upselling your skills means you bring more value, which should be reflected in your rates. Be clear about your rate, especially for premium services like tutoring, languages ,event planning, or dog walking.
Nannies who offer more than just childcare become invaluable to families. Whether it’s through meal prep, sports coaching, tutoring, or organisation, adding extra skills to your role can help you stand out in a competitive job market.
By taking the time to identify and promote your strengths, you can position yourself as a top-tier nanny—one that families can’t imagine living without.
Are you a nanny looking for new opportunities? At Happy Nest Nanny & Maternity Agency, we connect exceptional nannies with families who truly appreciate their talents. Get in touch today to find your perfect role!
