The news is often filled with negative stories from the nanny world, but INA knows that our nannies consistently provide a positive influence in the lives of the children in their care. It is our hope that this blog series will highlight those amazing nannies to our members, the industry and the world.
Today we would like to introduce Candi Vajana to you. She has been a nanny for 23 years, though she took a break for a time. While she started her career in the UK and has traveled all over Europe as a nanny, she is currently working in California. She believes nannies should strive to let agencies understand who you are and what you are looking for in a job. If the agencies understand who you are, they will be better suited to place you with the right family. We interviewed Candi and here’s what she had to say.
INA: Candi, why did you become a nanny?
Candi: Growing up I loved being around children and I always helped out when children or babies came to visit us. My parents decided to foster a little girl when I was 16 years old. She was two years old at the time and we spent a lot of time together. We did everything together, we even shared a room. This experience made me decide that working with children was what I really wanted to do. I sent in my admission application to Eastbourne College of Arts and Technology in the UK, before I finished High School (I was living in Italy at the time) and I was accepted after taking an exam and attending an interview. As soon as I finished my High School exams, I left home and moved to the UK to attend the course. It was tough but worth it!
INA: If you could give other nannies one piece of advice, what would it be?
Candi: The most important piece of advice I could give is that being a nanny means carrying out many jobs at once. It means having the skills, knowledge and understanding related to Child Development but it also requires you to be a mentor, a friend, a colleague, a confidant, a teacher, a negotiator, and a problem solver. Discretion is a MUST.
INA: What advice would you give someone considering a nanny career?
Candi: Nannying is the most rewarding career in the world. You get to shape the future generations, you mold children’s minds, and you are part of their discovery journey. It takes a special kind of person to become a World Class Nanny!
If you or someone you know would like to be highlighted in our Many Faces of INA Nannies series, please find more information here or contact the office at memberservices@nanny.org.