August 4, 2025 • 32 mins
In this episode of 'Adventure Nannies on Air,' recorded live during our summit sessions, join Reagan Fulton, Marketing Director for Adventure Nannies, and special guest Brittany Drew, the 2025 INA Nanny of the Year. Discover Brittany's inspiring journey from a medical physics graduate student to an award-winning nanny, newborn care specialist, holistic sleep consultant, and agency owner. Brittany shares valuable tips on professionalism, the importance of contracts, continuing education, and the need for industry standards. Whether you're a new or seasoned nanny, tune in to elevate your career and learn how advocacy and community can make a lasting impact in the childcare industry.
Connect With Brittany
https://www.brittanyjoydrew.com/
Visit the INA at
https://www.nanny.org
Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and information expressed by the guest in this session are solely their own and do not represent those of Adventure Nannies. Adventure Nannies does not verify the accuracy of the information presented and is not liable for any errors, omissions, or for any actions taken in reliance on this content. This session is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice.
- Have any questions? Reach out to us on Facebook, and Instagram, and check out the resources on our blog!
- If you’d like to join our newsletter to be the first to know about our new positions, click here.
- Are you looking for an exceptional nanny, newborn care specialist, or private educator? Get in touch!
- Do you have what it takes to be an Adventure Nanny? Apply Now!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Adventure Nannies On Air.
Today's episode was recordedlive during one of our Summit
Sessions as a part of our freeongoing educational webinar
series to support nannies andprofessional child care
providers to elevate theircareers and enhance their skills
.
If you like what you hear, youcan catch the full episode on
our YouTube channel or registerfor our next Summit Session at
adventurenanniescom slash summitdash sessions.
(00:23):
Welcome to tonight's summitsession.
My name is Regan Fulton and Iam the marketing director for
Adventure Nannies.
I am so excited to have ourguest tonight Brittany Drew.
She is the 2025 INA Nanny ofthe Year and she is not only an
award-winning nanny, but she'salso a certified newborn care
(00:43):
specialist, a holistic sleepconsultant, an agency owner and
the founder of the United NannySociety.
With over 12 years in theindustry, Brittany brings a
wealth of experience as anationally recognized leader in
the child care field and I am soexcited to have her here today
to talk to us about her journeyand give us some tips and just
(01:04):
tell us all about it, Welcome.
So your journey to becoming the2025 INA Nanny of the Year is
really inspiring.
Could you share some of just abrief rundown of key moments,
Because I know you can't give awhole 12-year career in even 60
minutes, but just a few minutesof the key moments and decisions
in your career that kind ofbrought you to this moment.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
I would say one of the biggest moments was just
deciding to be in this career.
So I was in grad school doingmedical physics nothing to do
with nanny and really justcouldn't give up my job with
kids when I had to.
And I kind of just progressedon to the point where I had to
make a decision and I said, okay, well, I do this, I like doing
this, and try it.
And then two weeks later Iunenrolled in grad school and
(01:50):
started my career.
So that's the biggest keymoment.
But I would really say, besidesthat, that there really isn't
big key moments.
It's more of just showing upevery day, when those days are
hard, just continuing.
It's a hard career.
It's a hard career with eachother.
It's a hard career to the worldand showing that it is a career
.
So those days when people kickyou down and say this isn't real
(02:10):
, well, you're babysittingYou're like, no, I'm not, like
I'm doing a career, and you getup and you go and you do your
job.
Yeah, that's one of my biggest.
It's not really one key moment,it's just every day showing
back up, every single day.
That is amazing.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
So you were in grad school.
How did you, how did you startnanny?
And then, if you were in gradschool, were you doing a part
time?
Tell us the story.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
I worked in the YMCA in every single department
except for aquatics because Icannot lifeguard, but besides
that I worked every department.
I always wanted to do that.
And then I always wanted to doengineering and medical stuff to
work with kids with cancer andpediatric cancer, to do medical
equipment for them and designthose.
So I got my degree in physicsand then I went to grad school
for medical physics, because youcan do all the radiation stuff
(02:50):
and I wanted to focus onpediatric oncology and stuff
like that.
But then basically they werelike well, we have to do
residencies.
And I was like, well, no, Iknow I'm at Georgia Tech, but I
picked the one camp on campusthat's recreational and so we
actually do fun things with thekids and I was directing that.
It took me one summer for themto get special permission from
(03:11):
the school to let me be anassistant director, which you
can't do unless you are out ofschool.
But I got that specialpermission because of my
experience.
And basically from therethey're like, well, you either
do residencies and do all thatthing, but we can't guarantee
you with pediatrics or you'redone.
And I was like, well, then I'mdone, because I want to
guarantee that I'm withpediatric.
I didn't want to ever have achance of having a career where
I'm not interacting withchildren daily.
(03:32):
So I already was part-timemeaning and full-time meaning
too, and I tried going forteaching, but I had some
politics with that.
So I really just took onesummer and said, if I like this,
then I'm going to keep doingthis and that's what I'm going
to do.
And I said two weeks into thatsummer I was like this is what I
want to do.
I've been unenrolled ineverything and then haven't
looked back since.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
That's so amazing.
You are representing thequestions of professionalism.
What does representing thisprofessional career mean to you,
both personally andprofessionally, and how do you
take that just in your career,but your day to day life?
And what does it mean to you torepresent professional nannying
as industry?
Speaker 2 (04:10):
I think it's a huge honor.
First of all, it's crazy.
Even though I found out inMarch, I still sometimes I have
my awards on my coffee table, soI look at it every day and I'll
even walk up like, oh yeah, Ihave that.
It's just crazy.
It's so honoring and humblingand it just feels great to know
that people entrusted me enoughto represent the industry.
I think it's really important.
(04:31):
I love that I can do it and Ithink that on a professional
level, it's just we need peoplethat are gonna represent
everyone.
I wanna make sure that I'mrepresenting nannies and
families, agencies, associations, everyone fairly.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
That is amazing.
You're such a strong advocatefor professionalism in child
care.
So what are some of thefundamental aspects of
professionalism like contracts,I know are a big passion of
yours what can you run usthrough a couple of those
fundamental aspects of whatreally sets a professional nanny
apart from someone either who'sjust dabbling or a babysitter?
(05:04):
What does that professionalismreally mean to you?
Speaker 2 (05:07):
The biggest thing is seriousness.
You're walking into a homewanting to make a difference.
You're not just walking in toget through the day and survive
the day.
You're walking in to shape ayoung child's mind.
Even if that child is a day old, you're still shaping them into
the person they're going to beand those things that happen
that young do affect people intoadulthood.
You're walking into it wantingto shape people, not just, as I
(05:29):
said, survive the day.
You're going through and youare acting professionally.
You're doing continuingeducation.
You're saying, okay, you'retrying to sit up, let's do some
sensory things to get you to situp.
Like you're doing all thesethings and inspiring creativity
in the children and reallytrying to shape them into adults
, versus just being there andgetting through.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
That is such a key because you said, not just
getting there to get through theday, but truly having that
impact every day.
There's all these little thingsthat can, but that really is
what sets it apart and a greatcaregiver.
So for nannies who are lookingto build more long-term,
successful careers, what advicedo you have for them on goal
setting and growth within theindustry?
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Two parts of that.
One, networking.
I mean you need to know people.
You only know as muchinformation as you can know, so
the more people that you have inyour circle, the more
information knowledge.
Everyone can dabble in certainniches.
Everyone sees different thingson the internet, as we see.
Everyone's TikTok feed isdifferent based on what they're
looking at.
It's so important to involveand network people to have all
(06:31):
that kind of information at yourfingertips, as well as just
continue education.
You don't know what you don'tknow.
So if they're let's say you'regoing through and your nanny
child is, they're not sleepingvery well, they're not doing
very well Look up some coursesfor you and your nanny child is
they're not sleeping very well,they're not doing very well.
Look up some courses for youand your nanny family to take
that can help improve that.
Even if you can't affordcourses or conferences yet, just
go and find free trainings.
(06:52):
There are so many out therethat are free.
It's ridiculous.
There are so so many ones.
I can't afford training andlook, here's a big, long list of
free ones.
Pick them, just go start doingthem.
So yeah, just continuingeducation is a huge one of being
able to set yourself up forsuccess because you're going to
need more and more knowledge askids get older and as you go
from family to family.
Not every family is the same,so having more knowledge in your
(07:13):
back pocket is going to bebetter to be able to adapt
better, to not only help yourcareer but also help the kids.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
That is such a great tip about.
Every family is different, sowhat's something you might need
to learn for one family youmight never need again.
But you also might benefit yourcareer in the long run and be
able to say, yeah, I've gotexperience with that, yeah, I
took that course.
Not only does it benefit yourcurrent career, but also, long
term, really allows you to growyour experience to help you have
(07:40):
more career opportunities inthe future.
You mentioned a list offreebies Do you have?
Is that a real list that youhave, or is this I can make a
real list?
Speaker 2 (07:51):
I'm not putting any more work on you, I just didn't
know if it was already a reallist.
I have one for my agency.
I require a lot from my nannies.
They do have to all take thefree water safety training from
the Red Cross.
They have to take the free safesleep training from Crib for
Kids I think is what it is Ifthey work with infants.
They take the free mandatoryreporter training from their
state because that's soimportant.
We all hope that none of ournanny families obviously are
harming.
But you never know teachers orif they go to daycare.
(08:13):
You want to know those signsand symptoms.
That's a huge one.
I always get my nannies takethat's free.
They take free transportationsafety.
I know ProSolutions has thefree health and safety
orientation.
It's 10 hours of stuff.
Some states if you go onProSolutions they have different
free ones depending on whatstate you're in.
You always can make differentaccounts and say you're in
different states to get thosefree ones.
Some states are paid, somestates are not.
(08:34):
So make some burner emails anddo that.
I've done that just to get thefree version of it.
I know there's all the majorfree ones.
I know ProSolutions is big forthe free ones.
And then stuff like theassociations.
If you are part of INA or anyassociation, they usually have
the webinars.
If you're a member they're free, so joining those are great.
Again, you're paying it foryour membership, so you might as
well do it.
I'll say you're in a freewebinar right now.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
That was a great list , because that was going to be
my follow-up.
If it doesn't exist, what areyour favorites?
And so that was an amazing list.
We'll make sure that we graball of the links to those free
things and put them in the shownotes so everybody can check
them out.
But that's an awesome list andI didn't realize that mandated
reporter training was free inmost states.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Honestly, it takes a little bit of digging.
So, like for Georgia, it'sright.
On ProSolutions, it's free, andthen, I believe, alabama Pro
Solutions too, it's free.
But, like Pennsylvania, youactually have to do a little bit
of digging.
That's actually the Universityof Pittsburgh that goes through
them and it's free.
So it might take a little bitof digging to find it in your
state, but there usually iseither a college or a company
that offers it for free.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
That is amazing, incredible tip.
Definitely putting that in myback pocket.
So a lot of your work reallycreates awareness and industry
standards and protect all sidesof the industry.
That's something that I loveand you know obviously I've been
a nanny a few well, notobviously you know this, but our
audience might not.
My background is I was a nanny,I am a mom and now I work for
(09:58):
Adventure Nanny.
So I've been in all differentroles as well and so I love so
much personally.
You know that you really focusand you know the standards and
all of the sides and protectionsfor all.
But can you elaborate just alittle bit on what those
standards really entail and whythey're so important for both
nannies and families whenthey're going through an
(10:19):
employment agreement or whenthey're having an employment
relationship?
Speaker 2 (10:23):
Yeah, first one is a contract that's.
I mean, that should be astandard.
Many people don't have them.
I have a free one.
I know Nandy Council has a freeone.
There's other free ones online.
And then you had the A to Z onethat's paid.
There's so many resources forit and I definitely suggest you
get them all in full from them.
I always say to anyone listeningif there's a section you want,
text me or email me, I will makeit.
(10:44):
I'll have my lawyer look at itand I'll put it in.
Always welcome to do that.
I've had some venues do thatbefore.
Hey, I want this.
I'm like cool, okay, give melike a week to write it up and
we'll get it on there.
I want to make sure it'ssomething that people have.
Having that contract.
(11:10):
It's going to be some peopledon't realize it how difficult
this industry is because, yes,you're taking care of a child,
but you have to love someoneelse's child.
That is so difficult to dobecause they are not yours, so
you're going to get burned outquickly.
So having that vacation alreadyand having that sick time so
you can recoup and recover areso important.
And other stuff that I thinkthat are super important is as
(11:33):
nannies we get backgroundchecked.
So I do background check allthe families that come through
my agency long term if I'veworked with them personally,
they're getting background checkfor the safety of the nannies
and the babysitters I send intotheir home because you never
know what's happened, just likeon the other side they want to
protect their children.
So we background check nanniesand I think you just need to be
fair.
(11:53):
I am working on rolling outreferences.
References are huge and a hugestandard.
Make sure you have thosereferences.
Same with families.
If you've had caregivers, havethem be a reference.
I think a lot of the standardscome down to just being fair and
I think a big one too, for astandard is, of course, like
your CPR, and I would love forall the free trainings that are
required to be a standard.
They're not, but I think itshould be.
(12:13):
I think you know a daycareworker and a teacher have to
take mandated reporting.
Why don't nannies we areliterally even more so in a
child's life to look for thosesigns and symptoms.
Why is it not a requirementthat we're trained in mandated
reporting?
Hopefully we never have to useit, but you never know and you'd
be surprised.
A number of caregivers that arelike, hey, I see this symptom,
what's going on?
And then the area builder theydon't know how to report it.
(12:35):
So definitely, stuff like that,reporting, I think should be a
standard, even though it's not.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Absolutely.
I was saying I've been throughthe training, but it was from a
completely different job.
I was working with disabledadults and so I had to do it
through that.
Yeah, that is incredible and Ilove that so much.
Besides just professionalismand these standards, what are
your goals for your platform,both as Nanny of the Year this
year, but also moving forwardfrom that, both for the INA as
an organization, but also thelarger community?
What are your goals for thisyear and for your future in the
industry?
Speaker 2 (13:08):
My biggest thing is advocacy.
It truly is.
I have such a strong passionfor making things fair and
making things right for everyoneand making sure everyone's
happy.
I just love advocating, helpingpeople and especially, I do
love my passion for children,and that comes from making sure
like caregivers are okay, arehaving their trainings, are not
getting burnt down on theirvacation and having a good
(13:30):
working relationship.
Kids can only thrive when theircaregivers are thriving.
So definitely using thisplatform to educate more people,
families and nannies both,because there's a large number
of nannies that don't know thatthey can ask for vacation, that
unquote deserve that.
And I'm like yeah, you do.
Like this is your job, this isyour career, like you deserve
vacation too, and they're likewow really and take your
vacation, work for those things.
(13:50):
and advocacy um, I would love todo more stuff like these, like
the webinars I'm really tryingto do every month to bring
awareness on different topics.
Contracts, like you mentioned,are a big thing for me.
I'm all about being legal andhaving rules and everything
discussed ahead of time.
It just makes for such aneasier employment relationship
if you talk about things firstand then you can say, hey, like
we did talk about this, so thisis what's going to happen,
(14:12):
versus realizing later on thatyou don't agree on something and
they don't want you to do, theydon't want to pay for something
or whatever, but you need it.
So, yeah, a lot of advocacyAgain, nothing to add to
everything, but it's really whatI'm all about advocating.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
I love it.
So, jumping back in from yourperspective as an industry
leader, what are the mostcurrent pressing needs within
the child care industry and howcan we, as nannies, agencies or
families, get involved to helpaddress them?
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Standards?
We have no standards.
There is no legal standards inthe united states for nannies.
We don't have any type of legitcollege for it.
We do have different trainingcompanies but there is no
college track for being a nanny.
So regulations but education, Iwould say really trying to go
out there and focus on we havenanny limited reporting.
(15:00):
We all should have that.
Tell your friends, let's go get, let's make it a thing.
Work with your friends, let'sgo get it, let's make it a thing
.
Work with your localpoliticians, let's get some
regulations.
I know there's a bunch of statesright now passing a bunch of
laws about household employees,their rules and regulations and
stuff like that.
I believe Massachusetts justpassed one for even au pairs for
the industry.
They have to make at leastminimum wage or something like
that, like any part of thisindustry.
(15:20):
Just working on making thosechanges so we can be a standard
industry, I would say one that'seasier said than done.
But making standards as aprofession Maybe.
I know the INA has credentials,exams and stuff and I know I
think the US Nanny Associationcredentials nannies as well.
But an ideal world with a bunchof money, creating an
(15:41):
organization that would overseecertifying nannies in one broad
spectrum would be great.
That way, we know people doknow this knowledge and know
these things.
So, yeah, I would say working alot with politicians, your
community and just helping othernannies.
If you see a nanny postingonline if I only accept $8 an
hour, maybe send a privatemessage hey, these are the
current rates.
We'll make that nicely, ofcourse.
(16:01):
Or maybe message hey, if you'reopen to talking with me.
I've been in the industry for awhile.
If you want to talk about rates, stuff like that, feel free to
message me.
If you see nannies at the park,talk to them, stuff like that.
The only way to make change isget more people involved.
That's kind of what I say in mynanny.
(16:22):
Like we have a society.
It's really cool, whatever.
We'd love for you to join.
Hand them that card so they canread about it off the QR code.
Just interacting with peopleand getting more people there.
And same on the family side, ifyou hear, if you're a family,
(16:45):
oh, my friend, you in for theeve.
My nanny just went on her paidvacation.
When is your nanny taking avacation?
It's just subtle.
Don't call them out, don't bemean.
I'm not saying that, but subtlethings that you can do to make
small changes and have yournanny, you know, have a contract
, stuff like that, even if youneed to ask for it.
Sometimes nannies don't know,so if they don't ask for it, you
present the contract.
Don't think about, oh, I gotlucky, they don't ask for
vacation.
You offer the vacation becauseit is the right thing to do and
it is a standard.
So from all sides, just youknow, communicate, advocate and
(17:09):
build the community.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
I love that.
Yeah, I got so lucky with myfirst nanny family real
full-time nanny family because Idid not know anything about
contracts.
Then Found them on carecom andMomBoss actually presented me
with a contract like right awayand so like.
It was a great, greatexperience and I know that not
so many folks are so lucky.
So I love that from that otherside of if you are the family,
(17:32):
if you're talking to yourfriends maybe wanting to hire,
you know, just share what you do, that is right and what is
legal and in a gentle way.
So I love that so much.
So my last is what message ofinspiration or practical
guidance would you share tosomeone who's just starting out?
We'll take this in two parts.
What's your advice for someonewho's just starting out in the
nanny profession?
Speaker 2 (17:53):
Just because you don't have experience doesn't
mean you're not a professional.
If this is going to be yourcareer, I know so many nannies
that, well, I'm 18.
So I don't know I'm going tocharge, you know, vacation it's
not professional yet.
I was like, but is this goingto be your career?
And they say, yes, I'm like, aslong as you act this way and
have these things like you'reprofessional, it's going to be
(18:14):
your career.
You don't enter any othercareer and be like, oh, I don't
have vacation because I'm new,you get that, so act as a
professional, get into into it,get your contract, stuff like
that.
And I would say, if you have acommunity of nannies, reach out
to them, ask them about thecurrent rates.
I know I have some rates that Ihave for some cities, but I
can't have them all.
So ask your local community oflike, hey, what's a good rate
(18:35):
for this?
What do you see as far asfamilies around here?
What are some red flags to lookfor?
I've seen some areas peopledon't pay legally, but some
areas it's more.
They just don't offer vacation.
Every area is different.
So talk to your local nanniesand kind of see what's going on.
Attend stuff like training day,because there's all a bunch of
nannies there and they'reusually pretty cheap and I know
most of them too.
If they aren't cheap, theyusually have scholarships for
(18:57):
them.
I know for Lynn.
I think we gave out eightscholarships to it.
There was a bunch that we gaveout.
I know other cities offer abunch of scholarships too.
So go to those, meet nannies,go to the park to meet nannies.
Don't be afraid to be like hey,I'm a nanny.
Are you a nanny?
And if you're not, well thenyou've made a friend anyway, if
you're even a mom.
Speaker 1 (19:17):
Wear your nanny t-shirts.
Wear your nanny t.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
But yeah, definitely, if you're starting out and
you're brand new, it's still foryou and take it seriously like
that.
Like I said, you can also doyour trainings as well.
I know I harp on education alot too, but, like, get the
trainings and that shows thefamilies that you're a
professional too.
You're not just walking insaying, hey, I'm 18.
I watched my sibling.
It's like, oh hey, I may beonly 18, but I took all this
training, I know all thisknowledge.
(19:40):
I know all this knowledge, I'mready to start my career and
you're a lot more likely to gethired that way, by taking it
seriously even before.
And if you are in high school Iknow some schools have those
like caregiving classes.
I know my local high schooldoes babysit Start getting
letters of recommendation, evenif they're not willing to call,
because it's just like anoccasional babysitting Get
letters of recommendation.
It's really good to showfamilies all those things you
(20:01):
start building up for yourportfolio and save every single
thing you do.
I'm going to file somewhere tosave it all and kind of go from
there.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
Amazing.
So the second half of thatquestion is for seasoned
professional nannies.
For those of us who've been inthe industry for a long time but
are looking to elevate theircareer, what is your words of
sage wisdom for them?
Speaker 2 (20:22):
I would say network is a big one.
You can't get anywhere in lifewithout networking.
You need to know, not like in aknow people, you only get to
know people kind of way, butjust like you need to know about
the industry, you need to staycurrent on the information.
And the only way to do that isto network, is to talk to other
nannies, is to talk withagencies, is to talk with other
industry leaders.
Just network with people.
Go to conferences.
(20:43):
I know they're super expensive,trust me, my wallet hurts every
single year, but save up forthem.
Ask your new families that payfor them, even if they only pay
for a portion, even if they onlypay just registration.
But you have to do the hoteland stuff.
Room share I still room share.
Speaker 1 (20:56):
I have my professional development stipend
, friend.
Professional developmentstipend, that's what you're
gonna ask for.
I hotel share.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
You know, I know when we did training in, there was a
bunch of people in Knoxvillethat wanted to come, and so they
all carpooled and shared ahotel room down in Atlanta from
Knoxville.
Don't be afraid to be thatyoung college kid again and have
a hotel room with four people.
Whatever you do to get there,conferences are going to be a
huge part to network and toreally learn more about the
industry and also help build theindustry too.
(21:24):
We can't build the industryunless people are there and,
like I said, a lot of theconferences too also have
scholarships.
So apply for them, even if youdon't think you're going to get
it.
Just apply.
And you have conferences,network and the same continuing
education.
You never want to kind of bestagnant.
You always want to keeplearning, especially in a career
where our world isever-changing.
I mean kids' abilities areever-changing.
(21:45):
Back when I first startednannying, I mean I knew kids
were.
You know they had some.
I've had kids, but now it'slike a real thing.
So even from back then when Istarted until now, it's a huge
shift and you need to keeplearning and adapting.
So all those continuingeducation courses can really
help you keep adapting and keepengaging and learning in the
industry and the career.
Speaker 1 (22:04):
Amazing.
Yeah, no, that's such aninteresting observation about
the iPad kids yeah, everyone'san iPad kid now, and how do we
support them to still be healthy?
But, yeah, what is going tocome from that?
That is such a greatobservation.
You're throwing me again here.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
My very first nanny kids.
It's really funny because wenever did screen time and I was
like, yeah, but that wasliterally forever ago when
screens weren't a big thing.
I was like, so I'm proud thatyou keep saying I kept your kids
screen free, but there wasn'tmuch for them to watch.
Speaker 1 (22:30):
Right, it's a different story now.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
Yeah, so just little things like that.
I know one of the big things Ido require, like a free
concussion protocol training.
The CDC has a free concussionprotocol training.
Speaker 1 (22:42):
Oh yeah, I guess I've done that one for coaching my
son's sport team.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
It's like for coaching, the same thing, but
that's a big one, and I decidedto include that because there's
so many more kids in sports.
I know kids were in sportsbefore, but there are so many
and the high contact in thesesports just getting higher and
higher and concussions are likejust expedited, so that was well
, and we know how dangerous theyare too.
Speaker 1 (23:04):
I think is another big thing is that we now know
the impact of traumatic braininjury and how impactful it can
be to their development, so thatis a great one.
I love that for nannies.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
I'm gonna start recommending that for nannies
too yeah, I like it because,like, even if you're with a
toddler, they fall off theplayground all the time.
I feel like kids are so muchmore daring nowadays.
Speaker 1 (23:23):
Well, and it makes you feel more confident too,
that, like, if they do fall andyou can do the protocol and
you're confident that they'refine, you can move forward too
and you don't have to worry um,or if they do need to be checked
out, you know exactly what todo I love it too, like they love
those safety things, especiallyif you bring it up.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
I've had so many parents like, oh, you had that.
I was like, yeah, like withoutdoing older kids and they're a
sport.
So I was like I can tell youthe concussion.
Afterwards they hit their headlike like, oh, that's really
good, because even like stufflike I assume maybe gymnastics
coaches all require it, but wedon't know what they require to
be coaches, so like they mightnot even know, they might not
even be on their radar.
You don't know who the coachesare.
So it's really important as acaregiver for yourself or even
(24:02):
potentially other kids on theteam.
If you see it, you can be likehey, that person has a
concussion.
This is important.
Speaker 1 (24:08):
I got to use my nanny first aid training at my son's
baseball game.
Someone got hit in the face.
I was like, look, I'm not anurse, but I'm a nanny, got to
pull out and give them a littlecheckup.
So, excuse me, I love it.
I love it.
So many great tips.
I don't see any questions inthe chat.
(24:29):
So if anybody has any questions, please drop them, and if not,
I will drop a couple more.
Are there any specific clauses?
Like you will make a clause forsomebody or like but what is
the?
And then let's take this in afun direction, to the weirdest
or most unexpected contractclause you've ever encountered
(24:51):
in terms of wow, we actually hadto put that into a contract.
I was like, well, we had to putit in.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
But I remember I know a lot of them had pet clauses
that are like I made the pet itin.
But I remember I know a lot ofthem had pet clauses that are
like I made the pet clause inmind because I had a family that
had a dog who was just supercrazy.
So the contract clause is youcan, you know, put him in a
kennel for this long until hehas to be let out, and this much
because, like I literally needa time of how long he could be
in a different room without itbeing considered neglect because
(25:15):
this dog was just everywhere.
And then, with that same dog, Ihad my phone on the counter on
a counter up above, because Iwas with the child on the floor
in another room, so I had leftmy phone on the counter.
He was upset that I was withthe baby, so he went on the
counter and took my phone andbroke the screen and the family
refused to pay for it.
So now it's a clause in thecontract of personal items of
(25:36):
they must replace, if it's notthe nanny's fault, which wasn't
my fault it was on a counter inanother room so I could watch
your child.
And then your dog decided no,I'm angry, you're not petting me
.
And then took it and broke it.
So that's another one that Iadd in there.
That way, if something happensnot in the nanny's fault, they
can get their items replaced man, that dog, yeah it was.
(25:56):
It was rough, so that wasdefinitely two big ones that I
added to the contract, but II've seen some silly ones.
I know I've added stuff whichisn't super relevant, but I know
some families are reallyprevalent, like hair color or
something if you're out in anevent, or I've added that to
pause, or oh, yeah, like youhave to present yourself
professionally.
Speaker 1 (26:15):
Yeah, but like at home they don't matter.
Speaker 2 (26:16):
It's like the cause is like what can they dress like
at home?
And usually it's like anything,what can they dress out with
the child, or like they don'tcare if you have tattoos showing
but you can't show them out.
So that was not super weird,but that's another one I know
some families care about, butyeah, my favorite clause I've
ever put in.
Speaker 1 (26:31):
I was coming back to work with a family that I had
worked for before and we wereputting and it was, I think I
was using the agency contractand it was talking about holiday
pay and I knew that they wouldnever require me ever to work on
a holiday.
It just wasn't.
That's what wasn't ourrelationship, but I know some
nannies do and so we just put inthat I made five thousand
dollars an hour for any holidaypay.
(26:51):
It was just like, yeah, we'rejust we're not going to do that
one of my good ones was I had anoh crap.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
It was named something else and it was with a
family that I'd babysat for andwe knew that I was going to be
there, but we were signing thecontract like months ahead of
time.
So it was like an oh crapclause if, if you know, I decide
not to work there for somereason.
But let's just protect both ofus and make sure we have 30 days
notice.
But yeah, literally was named.
I love that crap clause in ourcontract.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
I would say that's such a great way to say it and I
know that's the funny term butalso like the clause of if
you're signing a contract thatyou know doesn't start for
several months and I know folkscan come across this with, like
temp work or contract work orNCS work especially having
protections for you if, for somereason, both as a family and
the nanny, if for some reason,the other one decides to not
(27:37):
move forward with the contract,if there's a big gap like that.
I think that's something that alot of folks don't have and
don't think about that they'llneed.
But, yeah, like some sort ofretainer or contract or clause
of like, yeah, you still gottapay me something.
I held this in this time foryou, or I'd have to rush and
find a new nanny because youbacked out.
You know it's got to protectthose sides, right.
(27:58):
So I love that so much.
My last question for youbalancing multiple roles, so you
balance.
You know you're a nanny, youhave the society, you're a
business owner, you have anagency, now your advocacy work
with Nanny of the Year andbeyond.
How do you balance it?
Any tips for how to keep it allunder control and make it
(28:20):
happen?
Speaker 2 (28:22):
I don't know, I just kind of do it, but I feel, ya, I
have a calendar that's colorcoded, if that helps and I
update as much as I can.
I would say one of the big tipsis get a partner that's very
patient.
That has helped me a lot tokeep me sane.
When I'm like frazzled, he justlooks at me and he's a hug and
I was like, yes, I do.
And then he brings me a hug anda popsicle, um, or like my
phone, and I look angry.
(28:43):
He's like you want a dog tocuddle, what do you want?
I'm like, thanks, so part ofthe health sustainability is
really great, but I really just,I don't know.
It's easy to balance it allbecause I love it all.
I know one day I have to giveup some of it because I can't do
this forever.
And it's really funny becausemy n-e mom, because I have
parental leave by contract andnot that I plan on having a kid
right now she's.
(29:03):
But one day she was like if youhad a kid, would you really
take 12 weeks off?
I was like, yeah, I wouldn't.
She looked me dead in the eye.
She's like, no, you wouldn't,brittany.
She's like you'd be banging onmy door two days in, being like
when can I come you?
No, you'd show back up withlike probably five new
businesses and I was like, yeah,that's also fair.
So no, because you would be themost dedicated mom and be like
100% off, yeah.
(29:24):
So I was like I don't know, Iknow you got some, but I just
like all parts.
I like the little ones fornewborn care.
I like teaching the girls, likenewborn care, specialist stuff,
because I can teach thefamilies things and really help
shape the kids in their sleep,because that's what helps them
later on if they do have goodsleep and those good sleep
habits.
But they're like the older kidslike with my one right now like
we're at the pool all the timeor I'm trying to get her to
(29:46):
paint, she won't paint.
I want her to paint so bad shewill not paint, she just my
son's the same way, will notpaint with me.
We got a vegetable paint andlike she just eats, it walks
away.
I was like, come back here, Iwant to paint with you.
So I like doing thoseactivities and getting silly and
getting fun and rolling aroundon the floor with her and those
belly laughs and everything likethat.
And then I also like the agency.
I like helping families connectand the nannies connect.
(30:08):
So I don't know if this is aquestion, but I don't really
know.
I just kind of do it.
Speaker 1 (30:11):
The passion is there let's say you do what you love
and you're doing what you loveand also keeping it interesting.
Like you said, you get thebabies and you get the older
kids and you get the.
You know, like not having somuch of one thing that helps
keep you moving, right?
I feel that for sure.
This has been an amazing talk.
I am so grateful that you havejoined us tonight.
Where can everybody find you?
(30:33):
I know you've got the NannySociety, interstellar Nannies or
Brittany Drew.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
You can just Google my name and my stuff will come
up and you can just text me.
I'll be on interviews and ifyou need help, tell me.
If I find out later on that youneed help and you didn't text
me, I will bang on your door andbe like, why Just text me,
email me.
I always tell it to.
If you text me at, don't textme late, unless you expect a
(30:59):
response, most likely willhappen.
But yeah, text me, email me.
Don't call, because I don'tanswer the call a lot because I
do work a lot.
So I normally, if you need toset up a call, I'm more than
happy to just text me first andwe can set up a call.
But yeah, I think my email andstuff is on there.
Speaker 1 (31:13):
Drop the link in the show notes.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
All you got to do is Google my full name and you have
two pages worth of things.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
Very, easy to find.
Speaker 2 (31:21):
Email me.
Any of the emails, any of thenumbers, it doesn't matter, I'll
get there somehow.
I'm on Facebook, I have mypersonal page, my business page.
Instagram, I have my personalpage, agency page and nanny page
.
Speaker 1 (31:34):
So many outlets Amazing.
We'll make sure we get thoseall linked.
Thank outlets Amazing.
We'll make sure we get thoseall linked.
Thank you so much for beinghere.
Speaker 2 (31:40):
Thank you for your time, Brittany I appreciate it,
of course, and we will seeeverybody later.
Have a great day.
Welcome to Adventure Nannies On Air.
Today's episode was recordedlive during one of our Summit
Sessions as a part of our freeongoing educational webinar
series to support nannies andprofessional child care
providers to elevate theircareers and enhance their skills
.
If you like what you hear, youcan catch the full episode on
our YouTube channel or registerfor our next Summit Session at
adventurenanniescom slash summitdash sessions.
(00:23):
Welcome to tonight's summitsession.
My name is Regan Fulton and Iam the marketing director for
Adventure Nannies.
I am so excited to have ourguest tonight Brittany Drew.
She is the 2025 INA Nanny ofthe Year and she is not only an
award-winning nanny, but she'salso a certified newborn care
(00:43):
specialist, a holistic sleepconsultant, an agency owner and
the founder of the United NannySociety.
With over 12 years in theindustry, Brittany brings a
wealth of experience as anationally recognized leader in
the child care field and I am soexcited to have her here today
to talk to us about her journeyand give us some tips and just
(01:04):
tell us all about it, Welcome.
So your journey to becoming the2025 INA Nanny of the Year is
really inspiring.
Could you share some of just abrief rundown of key moments,
Because I know you can't give awhole 12-year career in even 60
minutes, but just a few minutesof the key moments and decisions
in your career that kind ofbrought you to this moment.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
I would say one of the biggest moments was just
deciding to be in this career.
So I was in grad school doingmedical physics nothing to do
with nanny and really justcouldn't give up my job with
kids when I had to.
And I kind of just progressedon to the point where I had to
make a decision and I said, okay, well, I do this, I like doing
this, and try it.
And then two weeks later Iunenrolled in grad school and
(01:50):
started my career.
So that's the biggest keymoment.
But I would really say, besidesthat, that there really isn't
big key moments.
It's more of just showing upevery day, when those days are
hard, just continuing.
It's a hard career.
It's a hard career with eachother.
It's a hard career to the worldand showing that it is a career
.
So those days when people kickyou down and say this isn't real
(02:10):
, well, you're babysittingYou're like, no, I'm not, like
I'm doing a career, and you getup and you go and you do your
job.
Yeah, that's one of my biggest.
It's not really one key moment,it's just every day showing
back up, every single day.
That is amazing.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
So you were in grad school.
How did you, how did you startnanny?
And then, if you were in gradschool, were you doing a part
time?
Tell us the story.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
I worked in the YMCA in every single department
except for aquatics because Icannot lifeguard, but besides
that I worked every department.
I always wanted to do that.
And then I always wanted to doengineering and medical stuff to
work with kids with cancer andpediatric cancer, to do medical
equipment for them and designthose.
So I got my degree in physicsand then I went to grad school
for medical physics, because youcan do all the radiation stuff
(02:50):
and I wanted to focus onpediatric oncology and stuff
like that.
But then basically they werelike well, we have to do
residencies.
And I was like, well, no, Iknow I'm at Georgia Tech, but I
picked the one camp on campusthat's recreational and so we
actually do fun things with thekids and I was directing that.
It took me one summer for themto get special permission from
(03:11):
the school to let me be anassistant director, which you
can't do unless you are out ofschool.
But I got that specialpermission because of my
experience.
And basically from therethey're like, well, you either
do residencies and do all thatthing, but we can't guarantee
you with pediatrics or you'redone.
And I was like, well, then I'mdone, because I want to
guarantee that I'm withpediatric.
I didn't want to ever have achance of having a career where
I'm not interacting withchildren daily.
(03:32):
So I already was part-timemeaning and full-time meaning
too, and I tried going forteaching, but I had some
politics with that.
So I really just took onesummer and said, if I like this,
then I'm going to keep doingthis and that's what I'm going
to do.
And I said two weeks into thatsummer I was like this is what I
want to do.
I've been unenrolled ineverything and then haven't
looked back since.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
That's so amazing.
You are representing thequestions of professionalism.
What does representing thisprofessional career mean to you,
both personally andprofessionally, and how do you
take that just in your career,but your day to day life?
And what does it mean to you torepresent professional nannying
as industry?
Speaker 2 (04:10):
I think it's a huge honor.
First of all, it's crazy.
Even though I found out inMarch, I still sometimes I have
my awards on my coffee table, soI look at it every day and I'll
even walk up like, oh yeah, Ihave that.
It's just crazy.
It's so honoring and humblingand it just feels great to know
that people entrusted me enoughto represent the industry.
I think it's really important.
(04:31):
I love that I can do it and Ithink that on a professional
level, it's just we need peoplethat are gonna represent
everyone.
I wanna make sure that I'mrepresenting nannies and
families, agencies, associations, everyone fairly.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
That is amazing.
You're such a strong advocatefor professionalism in child
care.
So what are some of thefundamental aspects of
professionalism like contracts,I know are a big passion of
yours what can you run usthrough a couple of those
fundamental aspects of whatreally sets a professional nanny
apart from someone either who'sjust dabbling or a babysitter?
(05:04):
What does that professionalismreally mean to you?
Speaker 2 (05:07):
The biggest thing is seriousness.
You're walking into a homewanting to make a difference.
You're not just walking in toget through the day and survive
the day.
You're walking in to shape ayoung child's mind.
Even if that child is a day old, you're still shaping them into
the person they're going to beand those things that happen
that young do affect people intoadulthood.
You're walking into it wantingto shape people, not just, as I
(05:29):
said, survive the day.
You're going through and youare acting professionally.
You're doing continuingeducation.
You're saying, okay, you'retrying to sit up, let's do some
sensory things to get you to situp.
Like you're doing all thesethings and inspiring creativity
in the children and reallytrying to shape them into adults
, versus just being there andgetting through.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
That is such a key because you said, not just
getting there to get through theday, but truly having that
impact every day.
There's all these little thingsthat can, but that really is
what sets it apart and a greatcaregiver.
So for nannies who are lookingto build more long-term,
successful careers, what advicedo you have for them on goal
setting and growth within theindustry?
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Two parts of that.
One, networking.
I mean you need to know people.
You only know as muchinformation as you can know, so
the more people that you have inyour circle, the more
information knowledge.
Everyone can dabble in certainniches.
Everyone sees different thingson the internet, as we see.
Everyone's TikTok feed isdifferent based on what they're
looking at.
It's so important to involveand network people to have all
(06:31):
that kind of information at yourfingertips, as well as just
continue education.
You don't know what you don'tknow.
So if they're let's say you'regoing through and your nanny
child is, they're not sleepingvery well, they're not doing
very well Look up some coursesfor you and your nanny child is
they're not sleeping very well,they're not doing very well.
Look up some courses for youand your nanny family to take
that can help improve that.
Even if you can't affordcourses or conferences yet, just
go and find free trainings.
(06:52):
There are so many out therethat are free.
It's ridiculous.
There are so so many ones.
I can't afford training andlook, here's a big, long list of
free ones.
Pick them, just go start doingthem.
So yeah, just continuingeducation is a huge one of being
able to set yourself up forsuccess because you're going to
need more and more knowledge askids get older and as you go
from family to family.
Not every family is the same,so having more knowledge in your
(07:13):
back pocket is going to bebetter to be able to adapt
better, to not only help yourcareer but also help the kids.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
That is such a great tip about.
Every family is different, sowhat's something you might need
to learn for one family youmight never need again.
But you also might benefit yourcareer in the long run and be
able to say, yeah, I've gotexperience with that, yeah, I
took that course.
Not only does it benefit yourcurrent career, but also, long
term, really allows you to growyour experience to help you have
(07:40):
more career opportunities inthe future.
You mentioned a list offreebies Do you have?
Is that a real list that youhave, or is this I can make a
real list?
Speaker 2 (07:51):
I'm not putting any more work on you, I just didn't
know if it was already a reallist.
I have one for my agency.
I require a lot from my nannies.
They do have to all take thefree water safety training from
the Red Cross.
They have to take the free safesleep training from Crib for
Kids I think is what it is Ifthey work with infants.
They take the free mandatoryreporter training from their
state because that's soimportant.
We all hope that none of ournanny families obviously are
harming.
But you never know teachers orif they go to daycare.
(08:13):
You want to know those signsand symptoms.
That's a huge one.
I always get my nannies takethat's free.
They take free transportationsafety.
I know ProSolutions has thefree health and safety
orientation.
It's 10 hours of stuff.
Some states if you go onProSolutions they have different
free ones depending on whatstate you're in.
You always can make differentaccounts and say you're in
different states to get thosefree ones.
Some states are paid, somestates are not.
(08:34):
So make some burner emails anddo that.
I've done that just to get thefree version of it.
I know there's all the majorfree ones.
I know ProSolutions is big forthe free ones.
And then stuff like theassociations.
If you are part of INA or anyassociation, they usually have
the webinars.
If you're a member they're free, so joining those are great.
Again, you're paying it foryour membership, so you might as
well do it.
I'll say you're in a freewebinar right now.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
That was a great list , because that was going to be
my follow-up.
If it doesn't exist, what areyour favorites?
And so that was an amazing list.
We'll make sure that we graball of the links to those free
things and put them in the shownotes so everybody can check
them out.
But that's an awesome list andI didn't realize that mandated
reporter training was free inmost states.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Honestly, it takes a little bit of digging.
So, like for Georgia, it'sright.
On ProSolutions, it's free, andthen, I believe, alabama Pro
Solutions too, it's free.
But, like Pennsylvania, youactually have to do a little bit
of digging.
That's actually the Universityof Pittsburgh that goes through
them and it's free.
So it might take a little bitof digging to find it in your
state, but there usually iseither a college or a company
that offers it for free.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
That is amazing, incredible tip.
Definitely putting that in myback pocket.
So a lot of your work reallycreates awareness and industry
standards and protect all sidesof the industry.
That's something that I loveand you know obviously I've been
a nanny a few well, notobviously you know this, but our
audience might not.
My background is I was a nanny,I am a mom and now I work for
(09:58):
Adventure Nanny.
So I've been in all differentroles as well and so I love so
much personally.
You know that you really focusand you know the standards and
all of the sides and protectionsfor all.
But can you elaborate just alittle bit on what those
standards really entail and whythey're so important for both
nannies and families whenthey're going through an
(10:19):
employment agreement or whenthey're having an employment
relationship?
Speaker 2 (10:23):
Yeah, first one is a contract that's.
I mean, that should be astandard.
Many people don't have them.
I have a free one.
I know Nandy Council has a freeone.
There's other free ones online.
And then you had the A to Z onethat's paid.
There's so many resources forit and I definitely suggest you
get them all in full from them.
I always say to anyone listeningif there's a section you want,
text me or email me, I will makeit.
(10:44):
I'll have my lawyer look at itand I'll put it in.
Always welcome to do that.
I've had some venues do thatbefore.
Hey, I want this.
I'm like cool, okay, give melike a week to write it up and
we'll get it on there.
I want to make sure it'ssomething that people have.
Having that contract.
(11:10):
It's going to be some peopledon't realize it how difficult
this industry is because, yes,you're taking care of a child,
but you have to love someoneelse's child.
That is so difficult to dobecause they are not yours, so
you're going to get burned outquickly.
So having that vacation alreadyand having that sick time so
you can recoup and recover areso important.
And other stuff that I thinkthat are super important is as
(11:33):
nannies we get backgroundchecked.
So I do background check allthe families that come through
my agency long term if I'veworked with them personally,
they're getting background checkfor the safety of the nannies
and the babysitters I send intotheir home because you never
know what's happened, just likeon the other side they want to
protect their children.
So we background check nanniesand I think you just need to be
fair.
(11:53):
I am working on rolling outreferences.
References are huge and a hugestandard.
Make sure you have thosereferences.
Same with families.
If you've had caregivers, havethem be a reference.
I think a lot of the standardscome down to just being fair and
I think a big one too, for astandard is, of course, like
your CPR, and I would love forall the free trainings that are
required to be a standard.
They're not, but I think itshould be.
(12:13):
I think you know a daycareworker and a teacher have to
take mandated reporting.
Why don't nannies we areliterally even more so in a
child's life to look for thosesigns and symptoms.
Why is it not a requirementthat we're trained in mandated
reporting?
Hopefully we never have to useit, but you never know and you'd
be surprised.
A number of caregivers that arelike, hey, I see this symptom,
what's going on?
And then the area builder theydon't know how to report it.
(12:35):
So definitely, stuff like that,reporting, I think should be a
standard, even though it's not.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
Absolutely.
I was saying I've been throughthe training, but it was from a
completely different job.
I was working with disabledadults and so I had to do it
through that.
Yeah, that is incredible and Ilove that so much.
Besides just professionalismand these standards, what are
your goals for your platform,both as Nanny of the Year this
year, but also moving forwardfrom that, both for the INA as
an organization, but also thelarger community?
What are your goals for thisyear and for your future in the
industry?
Speaker 2 (13:08):
My biggest thing is advocacy.
It truly is.
I have such a strong passionfor making things fair and
making things right for everyoneand making sure everyone's
happy.
I just love advocating, helpingpeople and especially, I do
love my passion for children,and that comes from making sure
like caregivers are okay, arehaving their trainings, are not
getting burnt down on theirvacation and having a good
(13:30):
working relationship.
Kids can only thrive when theircaregivers are thriving.
So definitely using thisplatform to educate more people,
families and nannies both,because there's a large number
of nannies that don't know thatthey can ask for vacation, that
unquote deserve that.
And I'm like yeah, you do.
Like this is your job, this isyour career, like you deserve
vacation too, and they're likewow really and take your
vacation, work for those things.
(13:50):
and advocacy um, I would love todo more stuff like these, like
the webinars I'm really tryingto do every month to bring
awareness on different topics.
Contracts, like you mentioned,are a big thing for me.
I'm all about being legal andhaving rules and everything
discussed ahead of time.
It just makes for such aneasier employment relationship
if you talk about things firstand then you can say, hey, like
we did talk about this, so thisis what's going to happen,
(14:12):
versus realizing later on thatyou don't agree on something and
they don't want you to do, theydon't want to pay for something
or whatever, but you need it.
So, yeah, a lot of advocacyAgain, nothing to add to
everything, but it's really whatI'm all about advocating.
Speaker 1 (14:24):
I love it.
So, jumping back in from yourperspective as an industry
leader, what are the mostcurrent pressing needs within
the child care industry and howcan we, as nannies, agencies or
families, get involved to helpaddress them?
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Standards?
We have no standards.
There is no legal standards inthe united states for nannies.
We don't have any type of legitcollege for it.
We do have different trainingcompanies but there is no
college track for being a nanny.
So regulations but education, Iwould say really trying to go
out there and focus on we havenanny limited reporting.
(15:00):
We all should have that.
Tell your friends, let's go get, let's make it a thing.
Work with your friends, let'sgo get it, let's make it a thing
.
Work with your localpoliticians, let's get some
regulations.
I know there's a bunch of statesright now passing a bunch of
laws about household employees,their rules and regulations and
stuff like that.
I believe Massachusetts justpassed one for even au pairs for
the industry.
They have to make at leastminimum wage or something like
that, like any part of thisindustry.
(15:20):
Just working on making thosechanges so we can be a standard
industry, I would say one that'seasier said than done.
But making standards as aprofession Maybe.
I know the INA has credentials,exams and stuff and I know I
think the US Nanny Associationcredentials nannies as well.
But an ideal world with a bunchof money, creating an
(15:41):
organization that would overseecertifying nannies in one broad
spectrum would be great.
That way, we know people doknow this knowledge and know
these things.
So, yeah, I would say working alot with politicians, your
community and just helping othernannies.
If you see a nanny postingonline if I only accept $8 an
hour, maybe send a privatemessage hey, these are the
current rates.
We'll make that nicely, ofcourse.
(16:01):
Or maybe message hey, if you'reopen to talking with me.
I've been in the industry for awhile.
If you want to talk about rates, stuff like that, feel free to
message me.
If you see nannies at the park,talk to them, stuff like that.
The only way to make change isget more people involved.
That's kind of what I say in mynanny.
(16:22):
Like we have a society.
It's really cool, whatever.
We'd love for you to join.
Hand them that card so they canread about it off the QR code.
Just interacting with peopleand getting more people there.
And same on the family side, ifyou hear, if you're a family,
(16:45):
oh, my friend, you in for theeve.
My nanny just went on her paidvacation.
When is your nanny taking avacation?
It's just subtle.
Don't call them out, don't bemean.
I'm not saying that, but subtlethings that you can do to make
small changes and have yournanny, you know, have a contract
, stuff like that, even if youneed to ask for it.
Sometimes nannies don't know,so if they don't ask for it, you
present the contract.
Don't think about, oh, I gotlucky, they don't ask for
vacation.
You offer the vacation becauseit is the right thing to do and
it is a standard.
So from all sides, just youknow, communicate, advocate and
(17:09):
build the community.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
I love that.
Yeah, I got so lucky with myfirst nanny family real
full-time nanny family because Idid not know anything about
contracts.
Then Found them on carecom andMomBoss actually presented me
with a contract like right awayand so like.
It was a great, greatexperience and I know that not
so many folks are so lucky.
So I love that from that otherside of if you are the family,
(17:32):
if you're talking to yourfriends maybe wanting to hire,
you know, just share what you do, that is right and what is
legal and in a gentle way.
So I love that so much.
So my last is what message ofinspiration or practical
guidance would you share tosomeone who's just starting out?
We'll take this in two parts.
What's your advice for someonewho's just starting out in the
nanny profession?
Speaker 2 (17:53):
Just because you don't have experience doesn't
mean you're not a professional.
If this is going to be yourcareer, I know so many nannies
that, well, I'm 18.
So I don't know I'm going tocharge, you know, vacation it's
not professional yet.
I was like, but is this goingto be your career?
And they say, yes, I'm like, aslong as you act this way and
have these things like you'reprofessional, it's going to be
(18:14):
your career.
You don't enter any othercareer and be like, oh, I don't
have vacation because I'm new,you get that, so act as a
professional, get into into it,get your contract, stuff like
that.
And I would say, if you have acommunity of nannies, reach out
to them, ask them about thecurrent rates.
I know I have some rates that Ihave for some cities, but I
can't have them all.
So ask your local community oflike, hey, what's a good rate
(18:35):
for this?
What do you see as far asfamilies around here?
What are some red flags to lookfor?
I've seen some areas peopledon't pay legally, but some
areas it's more.
They just don't offer vacation.
Every area is different.
So talk to your local nanniesand kind of see what's going on.
Attend stuff like training day,because there's all a bunch of
nannies there and they'reusually pretty cheap and I know
most of them too.
If they aren't cheap, theyusually have scholarships for
(18:57):
them.
I know for Lynn.
I think we gave out eightscholarships to it.
There was a bunch that we gaveout.
I know other cities offer abunch of scholarships too.
So go to those, meet nannies,go to the park to meet nannies.
Don't be afraid to be like hey,I'm a nanny.
Are you a nanny?
And if you're not, well thenyou've made a friend anyway, if
you're even a mom.
Speaker 1 (19:17):
Wear your nanny t-shirts.
Wear your nanny t.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
But yeah, definitely, if you're starting out and
you're brand new, it's still foryou and take it seriously like
that.
Like I said, you can also doyour trainings as well.
I know I harp on education alot too, but, like, get the
trainings and that shows thefamilies that you're a
professional too.
You're not just walking insaying, hey, I'm 18.
I watched my sibling.
It's like, oh hey, I may beonly 18, but I took all this
training, I know all thisknowledge.
(19:40):
I know all this knowledge, I'mready to start my career and
you're a lot more likely to gethired that way, by taking it
seriously even before.
And if you are in high school Iknow some schools have those
like caregiving classes.
I know my local high schooldoes babysit Start getting
letters of recommendation, evenif they're not willing to call,
because it's just like anoccasional babysitting Get
letters of recommendation.
It's really good to showfamilies all those things you
(20:01):
start building up for yourportfolio and save every single
thing you do.
I'm going to file somewhere tosave it all and kind of go from
there.
Speaker 1 (20:08):
Amazing.
So the second half of thatquestion is for seasoned
professional nannies.
For those of us who've been inthe industry for a long time but
are looking to elevate theircareer, what is your words of
sage wisdom for them?
Speaker 2 (20:22):
I would say network is a big one.
You can't get anywhere in lifewithout networking.
You need to know, not like in aknow people, you only get to
know people kind of way, butjust like you need to know about
the industry, you need to staycurrent on the information.
And the only way to do that isto network, is to talk to other
nannies, is to talk withagencies, is to talk with other
industry leaders.
Just network with people.
Go to conferences.
(20:43):
I know they're super expensive,trust me, my wallet hurts every
single year, but save up forthem.
Ask your new families that payfor them, even if they only pay
for a portion, even if they onlypay just registration.
But you have to do the hoteland stuff.
Room share I still room share.
Speaker 1 (20:56):
I have my professional development stipend
, friend.
Professional developmentstipend, that's what you're
gonna ask for.
I hotel share.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
You know, I know when we did training in, there was a
bunch of people in Knoxvillethat wanted to come, and so they
all carpooled and shared ahotel room down in Atlanta from
Knoxville.
Don't be afraid to be thatyoung college kid again and have
a hotel room with four people.
Whatever you do to get there,conferences are going to be a
huge part to network and toreally learn more about the
industry and also help build theindustry too.
(21:24):
We can't build the industryunless people are there and,
like I said, a lot of theconferences too also have
scholarships.
So apply for them, even if youdon't think you're going to get
it.
Just apply.
And you have conferences,network and the same continuing
education.
You never want to kind of bestagnant.
You always want to keeplearning, especially in a career
where our world isever-changing.
I mean kids' abilities areever-changing.
(21:45):
Back when I first startednannying, I mean I knew kids
were.
You know they had some.
I've had kids, but now it'slike a real thing.
So even from back then when Istarted until now, it's a huge
shift and you need to keeplearning and adapting.
So all those continuingeducation courses can really
help you keep adapting and keepengaging and learning in the
industry and the career.
Speaker 1 (22:04):
Amazing.
Yeah, no, that's such aninteresting observation about
the iPad kids yeah, everyone'san iPad kid now, and how do we
support them to still be healthy?
But, yeah, what is going tocome from that?
That is such a greatobservation.
You're throwing me again here.
Speaker 2 (22:22):
My very first nanny kids.
It's really funny because wenever did screen time and I was
like, yeah, but that wasliterally forever ago when
screens weren't a big thing.
I was like, so I'm proud thatyou keep saying I kept your kids
screen free, but there wasn'tmuch for them to watch.
Speaker 1 (22:30):
Right, it's a different story now.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
Yeah, so just little things like that.
I know one of the big things Ido require, like a free
concussion protocol training.
The CDC has a free concussionprotocol training.
Speaker 1 (22:42):
Oh yeah, I guess I've done that one for coaching my
son's sport team.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
It's like for coaching, the same thing, but
that's a big one, and I decidedto include that because there's
so many more kids in sports.
I know kids were in sportsbefore, but there are so many
and the high contact in thesesports just getting higher and
higher and concussions are likejust expedited, so that was well
, and we know how dangerous theyare too.
Speaker 1 (23:04):
I think is another big thing is that we now know
the impact of traumatic braininjury and how impactful it can
be to their development, so thatis a great one.
I love that for nannies.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
I'm gonna start recommending that for nannies
too yeah, I like it because,like, even if you're with a
toddler, they fall off theplayground all the time.
I feel like kids are so muchmore daring nowadays.
Speaker 1 (23:23):
Well, and it makes you feel more confident too,
that, like, if they do fall andyou can do the protocol and
you're confident that they'refine, you can move forward too
and you don't have to worry um,or if they do need to be checked
out, you know exactly what todo I love it too, like they love
those safety things, especiallyif you bring it up.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
I've had so many parents like, oh, you had that.
I was like, yeah, like withoutdoing older kids and they're a
sport.
So I was like I can tell youthe concussion.
Afterwards they hit their headlike like, oh, that's really
good, because even like stufflike I assume maybe gymnastics
coaches all require it, but wedon't know what they require to
be coaches, so like they mightnot even know, they might not
even be on their radar.
You don't know who the coachesare.
So it's really important as acaregiver for yourself or even
(24:02):
potentially other kids on theteam.
If you see it, you can be likehey, that person has a
concussion.
This is important.
Speaker 1 (24:08):
I got to use my nanny first aid training at my son's
baseball game.
Someone got hit in the face.
I was like, look, I'm not anurse, but I'm a nanny, got to
pull out and give them a littlecheckup.
So, excuse me, I love it.
I love it.
So many great tips.
I don't see any questions inthe chat.
(24:29):
So if anybody has any questions, please drop them, and if not,
I will drop a couple more.
Are there any specific clauses?
Like you will make a clause forsomebody or like but what is
the?
And then let's take this in afun direction, to the weirdest
or most unexpected contractclause you've ever encountered
(24:51):
in terms of wow, we actually hadto put that into a contract.
I was like, well, we had to putit in.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
But I remember I know a lot of them had pet clauses
that are like I made the pet itin.
But I remember I know a lot ofthem had pet clauses that are
like I made the pet clause inmind because I had a family that
had a dog who was just supercrazy.
So the contract clause is youcan, you know, put him in a
kennel for this long until hehas to be let out, and this much
because, like I literally needa time of how long he could be
in a different room without itbeing considered neglect because
(25:15):
this dog was just everywhere.
And then, with that same dog, Ihad my phone on the counter on
a counter up above, because Iwas with the child on the floor
in another room, so I had leftmy phone on the counter.
He was upset that I was withthe baby, so he went on the
counter and took my phone andbroke the screen and the family
refused to pay for it.
So now it's a clause in thecontract of personal items of
(25:36):
they must replace, if it's notthe nanny's fault, which wasn't
my fault it was on a counter inanother room so I could watch
your child.
And then your dog decided no,I'm angry, you're not petting me
.
And then took it and broke it.
So that's another one that Iadd in there.
That way, if something happensnot in the nanny's fault, they
can get their items replaced man, that dog, yeah it was.
(25:56):
It was rough, so that wasdefinitely two big ones that I
added to the contract, but II've seen some silly ones.
I know I've added stuff whichisn't super relevant, but I know
some families are reallyprevalent, like hair color or
something if you're out in anevent, or I've added that to
pause, or oh, yeah, like youhave to present yourself
professionally.
Speaker 1 (26:15):
Yeah, but like at home they don't matter.
Speaker 2 (26:16):
It's like the cause is like what can they dress like
at home?
And usually it's like anything,what can they dress out with
the child, or like they don'tcare if you have tattoos showing
but you can't show them out.
So that was not super weird,but that's another one I know
some families care about, butyeah, my favorite clause I've
ever put in.
Speaker 1 (26:31):
I was coming back to work with a family that I had
worked for before and we wereputting and it was, I think I
was using the agency contractand it was talking about holiday
pay and I knew that they wouldnever require me ever to work on
a holiday.
It just wasn't.
That's what wasn't ourrelationship, but I know some
nannies do and so we just put inthat I made five thousand
dollars an hour for any holidaypay.
(26:51):
It was just like, yeah, we'rejust we're not going to do that
one of my good ones was I had anoh crap.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
It was named something else and it was with a
family that I'd babysat for andwe knew that I was going to be
there, but we were signing thecontract like months ahead of
time.
So it was like an oh crapclause if, if you know, I decide
not to work there for somereason.
But let's just protect both ofus and make sure we have 30 days
notice.
But yeah, literally was named.
I love that crap clause in ourcontract.
Speaker 1 (27:15):
I would say that's such a great way to say it and I
know that's the funny term butalso like the clause of if
you're signing a contract thatyou know doesn't start for
several months and I know folkscan come across this with, like
temp work or contract work orNCS work especially having
protections for you if, for somereason, both as a family and
the nanny, if for some reason,the other one decides to not
(27:37):
move forward with the contract,if there's a big gap like that.
I think that's something that alot of folks don't have and
don't think about that they'llneed.
But, yeah, like some sort ofretainer or contract or clause
of like, yeah, you still gottapay me something.
I held this in this time foryou, or I'd have to rush and
find a new nanny because youbacked out.
You know it's got to protectthose sides, right.
(27:58):
So I love that so much.
My last question for youbalancing multiple roles, so you
balance.
You know you're a nanny, youhave the society, you're a
business owner, you have anagency, now your advocacy work
with Nanny of the Year andbeyond.
How do you balance it?
Any tips for how to keep it allunder control and make it
(28:20):
happen?
Speaker 2 (28:22):
I don't know, I just kind of do it, but I feel, ya, I
have a calendar that's colorcoded, if that helps and I
update as much as I can.
I would say one of the big tipsis get a partner that's very
patient.
That has helped me a lot tokeep me sane.
When I'm like frazzled, he justlooks at me and he's a hug and
I was like, yes, I do.
And then he brings me a hug anda popsicle, um, or like my
phone, and I look angry.
(28:43):
He's like you want a dog tocuddle, what do you want?
I'm like, thanks, so part ofthe health sustainability is
really great, but I really just,I don't know.
It's easy to balance it allbecause I love it all.
I know one day I have to giveup some of it because I can't do
this forever.
And it's really funny becausemy n-e mom, because I have
parental leave by contract andnot that I plan on having a kid
right now she's.
(29:03):
But one day she was like if youhad a kid, would you really
take 12 weeks off?
I was like, yeah, I wouldn't.
She looked me dead in the eye.
She's like, no, you wouldn't,brittany.
She's like you'd be banging onmy door two days in, being like
when can I come you?
No, you'd show back up withlike probably five new
businesses and I was like, yeah,that's also fair.
So no, because you would be themost dedicated mom and be like
100% off, yeah.
(29:24):
So I was like I don't know, Iknow you got some, but I just
like all parts.
I like the little ones fornewborn care.
I like teaching the girls, likenewborn care, specialist stuff,
because I can teach thefamilies things and really help
shape the kids in their sleep,because that's what helps them
later on if they do have goodsleep and those good sleep
habits.
But they're like the older kidslike with my one right now like
we're at the pool all the timeor I'm trying to get her to
(29:46):
paint, she won't paint.
I want her to paint so bad shewill not paint, she just my
son's the same way, will notpaint with me.
We got a vegetable paint andlike she just eats, it walks
away.
I was like, come back here, Iwant to paint with you.
So I like doing thoseactivities and getting silly and
getting fun and rolling aroundon the floor with her and those
belly laughs and everything likethat.
And then I also like the agency.
I like helping families connectand the nannies connect.
(30:08):
So I don't know if this is aquestion, but I don't really
know.
I just kind of do it.
Speaker 1 (30:11):
The passion is there let's say you do what you love
and you're doing what you loveand also keeping it interesting.
Like you said, you get thebabies and you get the older
kids and you get the.
You know, like not having somuch of one thing that helps
keep you moving, right?
I feel that for sure.
This has been an amazing talk.
I am so grateful that you havejoined us tonight.
Where can everybody find you?
(30:33):
I know you've got the NannySociety, interstellar Nannies or
Brittany Drew.
Speaker 2 (30:38):
You can just Google my name and my stuff will come
up and you can just text me.
I'll be on interviews and ifyou need help, tell me.
If I find out later on that youneed help and you didn't text
me, I will bang on your door andbe like, why Just text me,
email me.
I always tell it to.
If you text me at, don't textme late, unless you expect a
(30:59):
response, most likely willhappen.
But yeah, text me, email me.
Don't call, because I don'tanswer the call a lot because I
do work a lot.
So I normally, if you need toset up a call, I'm more than
happy to just text me first andwe can set up a call.
But yeah, I think my email andstuff is on there.
Speaker 1 (31:13):
Drop the link in the show notes.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
All you got to do is Google my full name and you have
two pages worth of things.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
Very, easy to find.
Speaker 2 (31:21):
Email me.
Any of the emails, any of thenumbers, it doesn't matter, I'll
get there somehow.
I'm on Facebook, I have mypersonal page, my business page.
Instagram, I have my personalpage, agency page and nanny page
.
Speaker 1 (31:34):
So many outlets Amazing.
We'll make sure we get thoseall linked.
Thank outlets Amazing.
We'll make sure we get thoseall linked.
Thank you so much for beinghere.
Speaker 2 (31:40):
Thank you for your time, Brittany I appreciate it,
of course, and we will seeeverybody later.
Have a great day.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.