The Professional Nanny [Paperback]

Monica M. Bassett (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0827373848 | ISBN-13: 978-0827373846 | Publication Date: July 29, 1997 | Edition: 1

This career handbook is written for those who choose to apply their early childhood skills in a private home setting by working with young children and their families as nannies. Essential practical information about the business and professional side of nanny employment, such as employer responsibilities, taxes, and insurance make this book an indispensable resource for practitioners.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Monica Bassett is the founder and former president of Nannies of Cleveland, Inc., Child Care Education and Services. She is also a founding member and former officer of International Nanny Association.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 1 edition (July 29, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0827373848
• ISBN-13: 978-0827373846
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #792,285 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Professional Nanny" a must read for all nannies, March 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Professional Nanny (Paperback)

Both students and professional nannies will benefit from reading Monica Bassett's new book The Professional Nanny. Used in nanny programs across the country, this book contains practical and professional advice for those entering the nanny profession. For those of us who are experienced nannies, the book is a valuable tool to assess our knowledge about our profession in addition to being a superb reference.

As the title suggests, The Professional Nanny focuses on the professional aspects of being a nanny. The book begins with a brief overview of the history of the nanny profession and the role of the nanny in the family. Aspects of professionalism are discussed, including such topics as child advocacy, confidentiality, integrity, and employer/employee relationships. More practical issues are also addressed, including dress, networking, daily schedules, and lifestyle. There is an entire chapter devoted to special situations a nanny may face, including domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual harassment.

Whether interviewing for the first time or looking for a different position, the book has tips and strategies for interviewing and accepting a new position as well as for leaving your current position. It contains an excellent example of a philosophy of child care and tips for formulating your own philosophy. Those nannies looking for information on salary, benefits, taxes, and insurance will find the chapter on preparing for employment particularly useful.

There are several appendices at the end of the book that I found extremely helpful. There is an example of a work agreement, a suggested daily log, a performance evaluation, and extensive lists of resources for nannies, books, and resources for families and children. In addition, the end of each chapter has a bibliography. Terms that a nanny needs to know are in bold print and defined at the bottom of the page. There is also a glossary at the back of the book. The entire book is written in a simple, easy to understand style.

I bought The Professional Nanny in Cleveland at the NAN conference in September. Since then, I have read it cover to cover and have referred to it several times when looking for information on a particular topic. One of the things I appreciate about this book is that it is written for the nanny and contains information that is nanny specific. Other books about nannies that I have read have mostly been from the point of view of the parent or geared toward the child care aspects of the job. I highly recommend this book for both the experienced nanny and one just entering the field. It may also be of interest to parents who want to know what to expect from a professional nanny.

(This review also appeared in the November 1998 issue of the National Association of Nannies newsletter.)

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent resource, but stiff ideas, June 10, 2006

By 

Karen "nanny" (Ypsilanti, MI United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Professional Nanny (Paperback)

There is value in some sections of the book, but I find the personal appearance, travel, and health sections so condescending that they offend me.

Not only is the information significantly outdated, the fact that this is a big chunk of the book assumes that a nanny is someone who hasn't left the neighborhood and certainly has not been to college. (A large number of the nannies I know have college degrees, and one is as educated as Monica Bassett herself.) Wardrobe maintenance? How to pack a suitcase? Social skills and personal hygiene? Each topic deserved maybe a sentence, but not a chapter. I don't feel this information belongs.

I rarely pick up the book because of it. In fact, I should just rip those portions out. I find the glossary terms at the bottom of the page similarly condescending, since the words defined imply that a nanny hasn't even completed eight grade: culture, value, stress?!

By aiming so low, she demeans the professional nanny into a child who needs to be told to bathe, say thank you, and what simple words mean.

The author's take on the intricacies of the nanny-employer relationship is valid. But, when I've looked for advice on a sticky situation I often felt like she was saying, "It's part of your job to put up with that, even if you wouldn't in your personal life."

Bassett neglects to connect much of what she's saying to actual everyday nanny situations, and thus the advice is weak.

There are a lot of other nanny books out there more worthy of your time.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Nanny needs her own copy of this book., March 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Professional Nanny (Paperback)

Monica Bassett's Book "The Professional Nanny" is a wonderful resource for all nannies. Whether you are a career nanny, or just starting out, this book is full of useful information about the "ins and outs" of the nanny profession. Monica Bassett owned a nanny school in Ohio for many years and she is still very much involved in educating nannies. She has used her years of experience to write a comprehensive book that nannies and parents will find invaluable.