Nanny certifications and child care training: The options explained

As a nanny, you know that the skills and experience you bring to the table matter — a lot. While formal training and certification aren’t required to become a nanny in most U.S. states, specialized child care training courses or a nanny certification can help you stand out from the crowd when trying to land a great job.

For most families, pediatric CPR and first-aid is a near-universal baseline training ask. Additionally, credentials like the Child Development Associate (CDA) or Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) can improve both your hiring odds and your pay.

To help you narrow down which nanny certifications and courses are most worth your time, we talked to Becky Kavanagh, certified parent coach and former co-president of the International Nanny Association (INA), and Lora Brawley, owner of Nanny Care Hub and 30-year nanny veteran, about which ones they’d recommend. Here are the most beneficial nanny certifications and child care training courses for you to consider.

Do nannies need to be certified?

No U.S. state requires nannies to be certified or licensed, and there are there are no federal or state laws mandating early childhood education credentials, mandatory training hours or licensing boards to work as a nanny in a private home. With that in mind, it’s important to note that many parents value additional certifications and training, and having more education and experience can help you command higher pay.

Note: One important exception to general licensing rules is nanny shares. If you work in a nanny share or care for children from multiple unrelated families simultaneously, sometimes state laws change.

Depending on local rules and the total number of children under your care, you may be classified as an informal or family child care provider, which can trigger mandatory state licensing or safety registrations. You can use ChildCare.Gov to check specific requirements in your state.

Essential nanny certifications and training

Getting a nanny certification in any of the following can be a huge asset for your career — not to mention, certain employers may deem them necessary.

1. Pediatric CPR and first-aid

What it is: CPR and first-aid certification provides training in essential skills to respond to emergency situations. CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, a lifesaving procedure performed during a cardiac or breathing emergency. First aid certification teaches you how to handle other types of emergencies like cuts, burns and choking.

Who issues it: You can find CPR and first-aid certification courses online via The National Safety Council, The American Red Cross and The American Heart Association.

Time and cost range: Courses typically run anywhere from 3 to 5 hours. The cost of a CPR class varies based on the learning format (online, in-person or blended) and course type. Prices may range from $30 to $75 or more. Some employers may be willing to cover all or some of the fees. This type of job training may also be tax deductible.

Renewal: Certifications are only valid for about two years, so take these classes at regular intervals to keep your skills current.

Who it’s best for: Nannies for children of all ages. Both experts we spoke to agree that CPR and first-aid certifications are the most important certifications a nanny can earn. In fact, according to them, many families won’t even consider you if you don’t have this nanny certification. If you plan on caring for young children, it’s also a good idea to take specific classes on infant CPR.

2. Water-safety or lifeguard certification

What it is: Water safety training and lifeguard certification provides individuals, swim coaches, lifeguards, and others who work or play in or near water with skills and knowledge to increase safety around water, plus skills to help others during times of crisis.

Who issues it: These certifications can be obtained through the American Red Cross (called Aquatics & Water Safety Certification Programs), the American Lifeguard Association and at some local YMCA branches, pools or community centers.

Time and cost range: Many water safety classes are free or low cost and may take less than an hour. For example, the American Red Cross offers a 30-minute Water Safety for Parents and Caregivers course online that is free of charge. If you want water rescue training and lifeguard certification, those courses are typically longer, in-person and cost between $150-$300. One perk of lifeguard training is that it includes CPR and first-aid.

Renewal: Water safety classes don’t require renewal, though it’s good to refresh your knowledge every few years. A lifeguard certification is good for two years.

Who it’s best for: Nannies who work with young children and those working for a family who enjoys lakes and the beach or has a swimming pool.

3. Newborn Care Specialist (NCS) certification

What it is: A newborn care specialist supports parents by assisting with sleep, feeding schedules, infant development and sometimes overnight care for infants.

Who issues it: You can get certified by taking an exam through the Newborn Care Specialist Association (NCSA). Prior to the exam, you should take an independent training course from a trustworthy organization like the Council for Awards in Care, Health & Education (CACHE). You can find recommended training courses through the NCSA.

Time and cost range: For level one certification through the NCSA, you must complete all required courses, provide details of 2,000 verifiable hours of infant care, pay a $100 application fee and pass the certification exam. Advanced (level two) and premier (level three) certification have additional requirements.

Renewal: Most major certifying bodies require renewal every two to three years.

Who it’s best for: Nannies caring for newborns, especially if you intend to offer live-in or night nanny services.

4. Nanny basic skills assessment

What it is: An assessment that tests your knowledge of child care — including topics like health, safety, nutrition, professionalism and child development. Once you pass, you get a certificate to confirm your expertise.

Who issues it: The basic skills assessment is created and offered by The International Nanny Association (INA). If you want to take it a step further, sign up for the more intensive INA Nanny Credential Exam. Pass that, and you’ll be considered an INA Credentialed Nanny.

Time and cost range: The assessment is free for INA members and $25 for non-members. The exam is 40 questions and expected to take about 30 minutes. Study time is independent and additional.

Renewal: Each INA member can take the assessment once a year and assessments are updated annually. Those who pass receive a certificate with the year on it, allowing you to keep this certificate up-to-date each year.

Who it’s best for: Nannies for kids of all ages. Kavanagh says that it was developed to “provide a credential to those nannies who did not have a degree in a child-related field or to those nannies who wanted to add a nanny-specific credential to their portfolio.”

5. Professional Nanny and Childcare Provider (PNCP) certification

What it is: A Professional Nanny and Childcare Provider (PNCP) shows that you’ve successfully passed a rigorous training program about how to care for children and demonstrates your commitment to quality child care.

Who issues it: PNCP certification can be obtained through the U.S. Nanny Association and other professional organizations.

Time and cost range: Earning PNCP certification through the US Nanny Association requires training hours, work experience, passing an exam based on national nanny standards and a background check. Generally, these certifications require a nonrefundable fee. The US Nanny Association certification fee is currently $299.

Renewal: Typical credentials are valid for three years.

Who it’s best for: All nannies, but especially those with less experience. These courses can be particularly useful if you’re just starting out.

6. Child Development Associate (CDA) credential

What it is: The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is the most widely recognized national early childhood education (ECE) certification. It verifies comprehensive education and training in nurturing the emotional, physical, intellectual, and social development of children from birth to age 5.

Who issues it: The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition.

Time and cost range: The CDA credential requires a combination of formal early childhood education and work hours. Usually, recipients need 120 clock hours of formal ECE training and about 480 hours of professional experience working with children in the chosen setting within the past three to five years. The initial CDA application costs $525 online or $600 for paper application.

Renewal: The credential is valid for 3 years. Renewal will require additional training and work hours.

Who it’s best for: Nannies who work with children of all ages, especially those caring for children in the toddler and preschool age range.

Other nanny certifications, classes and training to consider

7. Driver’s license

Having a valid driver’s license — and a clean driving record — will afford you the opportunity to add transportation to your list of potential job duties, which can mean higher pay. You can run errands for the family while caring for the kids, or open a whole new world of parks, museums and zoos to visit.

If you don’t have a license, stop by your local DMV to obtain one or get information on driver’s education classes you can take to prepare for the exam. If you already have a license, consider signing up for a defensive driving training course at the DMV. This course will improve your driving and help you avoid accidents on the road.

8. Nutrition and cooking courses

Any knowledge of nutrition or cooking will make you a more valuable candidate to parents. They want to know that you can keep their kids well-fed and teach them how to eat healthfully. Nutrition and cooking classes are available at most local community colleges, culinary schools or even at health food stores.

9. Foreign language skills

More and more parents are looking for bilingual nannies who can either communicate with kids in more than one language or even help young children learn a brand new language. It’s one of the most sought-after nanny skills. If you speak a language in addition to English, you should definitely highlight that in your profile and on your resume. And, if you need to brush up, take some language courses through nearby community colleges, adult education programs or online programs like Rosetta Stone.

10. Early childhood education

Whether you decide to pursue the CDA credential mentioned above, learning more about children’s development at any level will help you understand the kids in your care and make you a better nanny. “If a caregiver doesn’t have a solid understanding of child development, they should get a basic certification that covers all aspects of working with children,” Brawley says.

According to Brawley, every state offers training programs geared toward licensed caregivers (e.g. family care providers and day care workers), and “many community colleges also offer basic child care education certifications.”

You can find a list of required and ongoing training topics through your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency via Child Care Aware. You can also check the National Association for the Education of Young Children to see what local schools offer accredited childhood education programs.

11. Disability care

If you’re caring for a child with a disability, a course preparing you for this unique role is important. There is a lot of need-specific medical information to be aware of and general advice on how to care for children with different needs. Look for programs and workshops through local colleges. You can also seek education from child care training and special needs organizations, such as The Care Courses School or the Child Care Education Institute. 

12. Positive or connection centered discipline training

Brawley created the online Connection Centered Discipline Nanny Certification to help nannies learn how to reinforce positive discipline and help build good habits in children. This child care philosophy focuses on nurturing and helping kids learn from behaviors without punishment or berating. Parents will appreciate your ability to prevent discipline issues and help raise happy kids.

Tips for getting nanny certifications and finding the right courses

Ask around for recommendations

A great way to identify the child care training courses and certifications to take is by finding out what your colleagues have done. This step will help you do two things:

• Ensure your resume is on par with the other nannies who are applying for the same jobs.
• Allow you to identify any skills or certifications that will help you stand out.

Ask your nanny friends for their input. You can also see what other professional nannies are highlighting on their professional child care profiles.

Do your research

Before diving into any program, Kavanagh cautions you do your homework. Ask questions like: 

• What is the reputation of the program? 
• What will be covered?
• What does the certification involve and how long does it last? 
• Will this be something that can help you at this point in your career? 

Then, check references and ask for recommendations from nannies who have taken the course. “If something feels fishy in the program or certification, then it probably is, and I’d avoid pursuing it,” says Kavanagh.

Ask for reimbursement

Once you figure out what classes you want to take, ask your employers if they would be willing to cover all or some of the fees for continuing education. Many employers recognize the benefit of nanny training. This type of job training is also tax deductible, so keep your receipts for tax day.

Stay up-to-date

After you take any class or exam, make sure you keep certifications up to date. It’s just as important as getting them in the first place! So you don’t miss any deadlines, Kavanagh suggests pursuing “yearly continued education” to keep your skills sharp and learn new techniques.

Original article written by Marcia Hudgle, with additional reporting by Ashley Austrew.