Landing a nanny job in Los Angeles is competitive. The city has no shortage of qualified candidates, and the families working with agencies have high expectations. Knowing exactly what you need — and where the common gaps are — puts you ahead of most applicants before the process even starts.
What LA Families and Agencies Are Looking For
Experience is the baseline. Most agencies in Los Angeles require a minimum of three years of professional, verifiable nanny experience — meaning paid positions with families who can speak to your work directly. Babysitting, informal childcare, and family member care typically do not count toward this threshold.
Beyond experience, the non-negotiables for most placements are:
- Current CPR and First Aid certification (not expired)
- Valid California driver’s license with a clean driving record
- A professional resume with detailed job descriptions and dates
- Two to three professional references from previous families
- Legal eligibility to work in the United States
Build a Resume That Actually Gets Read
A strong nanny resume is specific. For each position, include the ages of the children you cared for, your hours and schedule, the key responsibilities you held, and why the position ended. Vague entries like “provided childcare for two children” tell an agency nothing.
Include your certifications, any early childhood education coursework, languages you speak, and any specialized experience — newborn care, children with special needs, multiple children, or households with a rotating schedule.
References Are Everything
A reference list is not a formality in this industry. Agencies call. Families call. Your references need to be prepared, responsive, and able to speak in detail about your work.
Before you apply anywhere, contact each reference and let them know they may be hearing from agencies or families soon. A reference who seems surprised or unprepared reflects poorly on your candidacy.
How the Agency Process Works
Once you submit your application to an agency, the typical process looks like this:
- An initial review of your application and resume
- A phone or video screening with an agency coordinator
- An in-person or virtual interview with the agency
- Reference and background checks
- Introduction to matched families
- Family interviews (often one to three rounds)
- A working trial day
- Offer and contract negotiation
The process can take anywhere from two weeks to several months depending on availability, the specificity of the role, and how competitive the candidate pool is.
Things That Slow Candidates Down
- Expired CPR certification — get current before applying, not after
- References who don’t respond promptly or speak vaguely
- Gaps in employment history with no explanation
- Overly flexible availability — knowing what you want helps agencies place you faster
- No driver’s license or a spotty driving record
Browse current open positions from LA agencies on our jobs board.