Setting Career Intentions Before the New Year: A Nanny’s Reflection Guide
The calendar is turning. A crispness is settling into the air, daylight is shifting earlier, and somewhere inside your mind a quiet question begins to whisper: What next year will feel like for me, as a nanny? Maybe you’re still in that family you love, maybe you’re looking ahead to something new, or maybe you’re simply ready for more intention behind your work. Whatever your context, this is a moment for reflection—to honour what has been, and to set your heart on what could become.
In homes across Lexington, Louisville and Cleveland, nannies are doing more than showing up. They’re weaving connection, offering stability, creating space for children to feel seen. And you—yes, you—are part of that fabric. So let’s gather around your intentions, your story, your next chapter in nannying.
Looking back so you can lean forward
Take a deep breath. Before you sketch your next steps, it’s important to pause and look behind you—not as a measure of shortcomings, but as a foundation of growth.
What has this year taught you? Maybe you learned a new rhythm with a toddler who tested boundaries. Maybe you helped a child find joy in reading, or supported a parent in a transition.
What moments brought you this quiet pulse of satisfaction—a smile from a child, a trusted comment from a parent, the feeling of being just right in a moment when you weren’t sure you’d be.
What drained your energy? What moments left you thinking, “I wish I had done that differently,” or “I felt off”? Let those guide your awareness, not your guilt.
One caregiver in the nanny forums wrote:
“I’ve been a nanny for six years, I have ECE experience, CPR/First Aid, sleep training… but I still feel like I could be doing more with my career.”
That gentle ache is a signal—an invitation—not a condemnation.
Clarify your vision: what kind of nanny do you want to be?
Now imagine yourself on December 31st of next year. It’s evening. You’re closing out your day. What kind of nanny are you? What feelings accompany you?
Are you the growth-oriented nanny, who pulled in a new certification, expanded your skillset, and added mentoring to your work?
Or are you the steady support nanny, who deepened a long-term match, became part of a family’s rhythm, and created a calm, thriving household?
Perhaps you’re the specialist nanny—you carved out a niche (infant sleep, toddler transitions, bilingual care) and families in Lexington or Cleveland are seeking you.
Maybe you’re the balanced nanny, who figured out how to honor your boundaries, maintain your energy, preserve your own personal life—even while caring full-heartedly for others.
Give yourself space to articulate which version resonates. Write it out: “In December next year I want to feel ____. I want families and children to experience ____. I want my days to include ____.”
Set intentions that are rooted in action
Intentions without action are lovely wishes—they float. To root yours in reality, choose three intentions. Then define one or two concrete actions that will bring each to life.
Intention example #1: “I will deepen my professional skillset this year.”
Action A: Attend at least two webinars or trainings around early childhood development or infant sleep before June.
Action B: Update my résumé and portfolio by end of March with at least one new certification.
Websites like the International Nanny Association talk about how ongoing training elevates a nanny’s practice.
Intention example #2: “I will nurture stronger communication and partnership with the families I work with.”
Action A: Initiate a monthly check-in with the family you serve—ask what’s working, what feels off, how you can support.
Action B: Create a “care agreement” or update one if you already have it, so both you and the family share clarity about roles, routines and professional boundaries.
Intention example #3: “I will honor my own well-being so I can bring my best to my work.”
Action A: Block one evening each week as ‘you-time’ free of babysitting or nanny tasks.
Action B: Begin keeping a brief nightly log—three things you did well, one thing you want to improve, one moment you felt joy.
Growing your skill-set and your value
There’s a beautiful truth: nannying is a profession—one that deserves investment, recognition, respect. According to career-path guides, nannies who invest in certifications, specialization and reflective practice open more doors and raise their influence.
On Reddit, one seasoned nanny reflected:
“If you really want to be a career nanny I would suggest furthering your education … an associates in ECE would help so much. Even less time-consuming and cheaper certs like Montessori and sleep consultant…”
And another posted:
“I’ve compiled a list of resources, chalk full of free/low cost courses, you can add to your résumé.”
So here are some tangible ways to build your career this coming year:
Identify 1-2 certifications or trainings you’ll aim for. For example: CPR/First Aid renewal, newborn care specialist modules, language development workshops, bilingual care training.
Make a portfolio or presentation folder—document your skills, experiences, references, testimonials.
Network locally: join nanny support groups in Cleveland or Louisville, attend local early childhood meet-ups, or shadow a specialized nanny for a day. Building relationships increases opportunities.
Reflect regularly: once a quarter, ask yourself what you’re proud of, what you want to shift, what you learned. This isn’t self-critique—it’s sustainable growth.
Aligning your career with local markets: Lexington · Louisville · Cleveland
Each locale has texture. If your work is, or will be, in Lexington, Louisville or Cleveland, your intentions can consider what families in those cities value.
In Lexington, you might highlight your experience in bilingual care, or outdoor/nature-rich babysitting—families in the Bluegrass region often appreciate caregivers who embrace local lifestyle.
In Louisville, perhaps specializing in families where one or both parents commute or travel, and the nanny becomes a stronger anchor.
In Cleveland, you might build toward caregivers who support mixed school schedules, after-school activities, and development of preschool-age children.
When you align your goals with what families in those regions seek, your value becomes clearer—and your job search becomes more strategic.
Building your brand as a nanny
You are your own brand. That doesn’t mean cheesy marketing—it means clarity, consistency, and authenticity. Families working with agencies like Hunny Nanny often look for caregivers who:
Are professional and reliable.
Communicate proactively.
Reflect values aligned with the family’s philosophy.
So ask yourself: what do you stand for? Some guiding questions:
If I were writing my “about”-paragraph right now, what tone would I use? Calm, creative, educational, playful?
How do I want parents to feel when they speak to me: relieved? Confident? At ease?
What small details signal my professionalism: updated first aid certification, portfolio, references, testimonials.
What shows my uniqueness: bilingual skills, special-needs experience, nature walks, STEM play, infant sleep programs.
Adding a little local flavour can help too: “Based in Lexington and comfortable supporting families in the city and rural surroundings,” or “Serving families in the Louisville region and eager to partner with busy professionals.” It helps you position in parent-search-land.
Navigating boundaries & self-care
Intentional career growth doesn’t happen when you’re always on, always overwhelmed. As you turn your lens to what’s next, don’t forget the parts of your job that sustain you.
Define when you are off the clock. Even if you live-in or assist beyond the typical hours, mark a clear boundary.
Maintain your own learning schedule—choose nights or blocks where you read, reflect, recharge.
Connect with other nannies. In Cleveland and Louisville especially, there are caregiver meetups, professional development webinars, agency-sponsored peer-groups. Shared reflection makes the journey lighter.
Honour your achievements. Did you help a child make a developmental leap? Did you build trust with a family? Celebrate it.
Your career isn’t just about the families you serve—it’s also about you. The best care comes when the caregiver is cared for too.
A simple reflection worksheet
Here’s a worksheet you can download (or jot in your journal) to start now:
This past year I am proud of…
I want to learn or improve…
Next year I want to feel…
My three intentions for next year are:
a) ___ (actions: ___)
b) ___ (actions: ___)
c) ___ (actions: ___)My non-negotiables (boundaries or must-haves) are:
My next key professional development step will be (by date):
Who I will ask for feedback/mentor support:
Take 30 minutes this week, pour a cup of tea (or your favorite drink), open your notebook, and walk through those prompts. It may feel small—but it sets you on purpose.
A story from the field
In Louisville one nanny shared how she entered a role feeling “just grateful for the job.” Slowly, she realised she was never asked about her career path—only her willingness to start each morning. At the end of the year she initiated a conversation with the family: “In the coming year I’d like to deepen my skills in early literacy and support you with the preschool transition.” The family said yes, supported her training, and by spring she had added a literacy-play routine with the child. She felt elevated; the child smiled; the family said they never expected a nanny to propose that.
In Cleveland, a caregiver started intentionally preparing her résumé in January—identifying her niche in bilingual toddler care. By June she submitted to a nanny agency (like Hunny Nanny) with her updated credentials and landed a role with a family seeking a Spanish-speaking nanny. She called it “the year I stepped into myself.”
Staying open to change and opportunity
Sometimes your intention will need adjustment. Families change, children grow, your life circumstances shift. That’s okay. The most resilient caregivers embrace fluidity—not rigid charts.
If a family in Lexington or Cleveland asks for extended hours or a different focus, you can reflect: does this align with my vision? If yes, move with integrity. If no, you have the language, the confidence, the boundaries to make the choice. You are a professional.
Remember: It’s not about being busy. It’s about being purposeful. And families working with an agency like Hunny Nanny appreciate that kind of clarity.
Leaning into your next chapter
As this year draws to a close and you look ahead, here’s what you can keep in mind:
Your role as a nanny is meaningful—and growing. According to industry projections, nanny demand remains steady, with increasing opportunities for specialization and deepened skill sets.
Your investment in yourself influences your value and the quality of care you provide. Agencies that prioritize professional development ultimately support stronger matches and higher satisfaction.
The families and regions you serve—whether in Lexington, Louisville or Cleveland—are looking for caregivers who bring heart, skill and growth-mindset.
You don’t need to do everything at once. Choose what fits your rhythm, build slowly, reflect regularly.
If you’re a nanny in Lexington, Louisville or Cleveland seeking roles that respect your intention, your growth, your value—then let’s talk. And if you’re a family looking for a caregiver who isn’t just “a nanny” but a professional partner in your child’s life and your household, we’re here for you too.
Here’s to the next chapter—may it be grounded, joyful and full of purpose.
