Au Pair & Nanny Academy
Official name: Au Pair & Child Care
Learn to care for babies, toddlers and young children the way families hope for: safe routines, play and learning, healthy meals, good behaviour and a clear handover to parents at the end of every day.
Length3 days
ForAu pairs, nannies and household staff
You receiveInjongo certificate
CATHSSETA-accredited provider 613/P/00381/2022 · Practical, hands-on training · Jeffreys Bay to Oudtshoorn · Injongo certificate
Why this course
Care families can trust
Parents leave their children with you. Training shows them you know what you are doing, and helps you do it with confidence.
Get hired
Families look for training
A certificate and a clear set of skills help you stand out to families and agencies.
Confidence
Know what to do
Routines, safety and play for every age, from newborn to school-going.
Grow
Build a career in the home
Combine it with Home Creations for a senior household role, or go on to NC(V) Education & Development.
The outcome
What you will be able to do
By the end of the three days you can:
Explain the role of an au pair or nanny and what families expect
Feed, change, bath and settle a baby or toddler
Keep bottles, food and toys clean and hygienic
Plan a daily routine that suits the child's age
Choose play and learning activities for each age
Read with children and build their language
Guide behaviour calmly with positive discipline
Make a home safer for young children
Spot when a child is unwell and know when to call the parents
Act quickly in an emergency and know who to call
Prepare healthy meals and snacks
Give parents a clear handover at the end of the day
A day as an au pair
From breakfast to bedtime
1 · Morning
The morning routine
Wake the children, help them wash and dress, and follow the routine the family has agreed with you.
TipChildren feel safe when every morning follows the same steps.
2 · Breakfast
Breakfast
Prepare a healthy breakfast, check for allergies and keep the kitchen clean as you go.
TipAlways ask the parents about allergies before you give a child new food.
3 · Rest
Naps and quiet time
Settle babies and toddlers for their naps, and give older children quiet activities.
TipKeep naps at the same times each day.
4 · Play
Play and learning
Plan games, reading, drawing and outdoor play that suit each child's age.
TipGet down to the child's level and play with them, not only next to them.
5 · Outings
Outings and school runs
Keep children safe on outings, near water and on the road, and on school runs.
TipKnow where every child is, all the time.
6 · Behaviour
Guiding behaviour
Set clear, kind limits and praise good behaviour, the way the parents want you to.
TipAgree the house rules with the parents first.
7 · Bedtime
Bath and bedtime
Bath the children safely, get them ready for bed and follow a calm bedtime routine.
TipNever leave a young child alone in the bath, not even for a moment.
8 · Handover
Handover to parents
Tell the parents how the day went: meals, sleep, activities and anything unusual.
TipWrite it down so nothing is forgotten.
The honest picture
What the job is really like
We want you to start with open eyes.
Long days
Many au pairs start early and finish after the children are in bed.
Trust and responsibility
Parents trust you with the most important people in their lives.
Every family is different
House rules, routines and expectations change from home to home.
Live-in or live-out
Some positions are live-in, others are day jobs. Agree the terms clearly before you start.
What you learn
12 modules, four parts
Open any module to see what it will cover.
3 days
12 modules
4 parts
Part 1
The role
Being an au pair or nanny
What the job involves, and what families expect of you.
Working with a family
Clear communication, house rules, boundaries and privacy.
Your agreement and your rights
What a clear employment agreement should include.
Part 2
Babies and toddlers
Feeding and bottle hygiene
Preparing bottles and baby food safely, and keeping everything clean.
Changing, bathing and dressing
Nappy changes, bath time and dressing a baby or toddler.
Sleep and soothing
Nap and bedtime routines, and how to settle a crying baby.
Part 3
Growing children
Routines by age
Daily routines for babies, toddlers and school-going children.
Play, reading and learning
Age-appropriate games, reading and activities that help children learn.
Positive discipline
Setting kind, clear limits and praising good behaviour.
Part 4
Safe and healthy
Safety at home and outside
Childproofing, water, road and sun safety.
Illness and emergencies
Spotting when a child is unwell, when to call the parents, and who to call in an emergency.
Healthy meals and snacks
Simple, healthy food for children, and allergies.
A taste of the course
A good handover to parents
At the end of every day, tell the parents these four things.
1
What they ate
Meals, snacks and drinks, and anything they did not want to eat.
2
How they slept
Nap times, and how long each child slept.
3
What they did
Play, learning, outings and anything they enjoyed.
4
Anything unusual
Bumps, tears, a temperature or anything that worried you.
Words you will use
Child care words, explained
The words you will hear on the job.
Routine
The same order of things each day, like meals, naps and bath time. It helps children feel safe.
Age-appropriate
Activities, toys and food that suit a child's age and stage.
Milestone
A skill most children learn around a certain age, like sitting, walking or talking.
Positive discipline
Guiding behaviour with clear, kind limits and praise, not shouting or smacking.
Childproofing
Making a home safer for young children, like covering plug points and locking away chemicals.
Handover
Telling the parents how the day went when they come home.
Ready to start? Leave your number and we call you back.
Quick check
Is this course for you?
Ask yourself these three questions.
Do you enjoy spending time with children?
Are you patient, even when a child is upset?
Would you like to work as an au pair or nanny?
Three yeses? This course is for you.
How it works
From first call to certificate
EnquireLeave your number. We call you back and answer your questions.
Join a groupWe place you in the next group near you, or train your team on site.
LearnShort lessons from your facilitator, then hands-on practice.
Show your skillsA practical assessment of what you have learned.
CertificateYou receive your Injongo certificate of completion.
How you are assessed
Practical tasks
You show key skills, such as preparing a bottle or planning a routine, while your facilitator observes.
Knowledge check
Short questions on routines, safety and child development.
Daily plan
You plan a full day of routines and activities for a child of a given age.
Included in the course
Everything you need
Three days of practical training
A learner guide
Role plays and practical tasks
A facilitator who checks your skills
What you leave with
What you leave with
Injongo certificateShows you completed Au Pair & Child Care.
A daily routine planA plan you can adapt for each family you work with.
Confidence with childrenKnow what to do, from feeding to bedtime.
Where it can take you
Where it can take you
Child care can grow into a career.
Au pair or nannyFamilies, holiday homes and guest lodges with children.
Senior nannyTake charge of a busy household with several children.
Household managerAdd our Home Creations courses to run a whole home.
Early childhood workGo on to NC(V) Education & Development for crèches and pre-schools.
Questions
Before you enrol
Still unsure? Call or WhatsApp +27 62 495 8450.
Do I need experience?
No. The course starts with the basics of caring for babies and young children.
Does it include first aid?
The course covers safety, illness and what to do in an emergency. A full first aid certificate is a separate course.
What certificate do I get?
Participants who meet Injongo's attendance and course-completion requirements receive an Injongo certificate of completion. This course does not award SAQA credits or a registered qualification.
Where is the training?
In Jeffreys Bay, Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay, Oudtshoorn, Cape St Francis and Mossel Bay, or on site at your workplace for employer groups.
Is funding available?
Some groups are sponsored by employers or funders. When you enquire, we tell you about any funded places that fit you.
Will you help me find a position?
We help graduates with CVs and interviews. We can't promise a position, but we work to connect graduates with families and agencies.
Keep exploring
Courses that go well with this one
Front desk & workplace
Job Ready Bootcamp
Private household service
Home Creations
NC(V) programmes
Early Childhood Career Path
Reserve my place
We call you back to talk through the course, the next group and any funding.
Training with a purpose.
Contact
+27 62 495 8450
WhatsApp us
[email protected]
29 Da Gama Road, Jeffreys Bay
Injongo College is the trading name of Injongo FET College (Pty) Ltd, reg. 2017/439489/07. CATHSSETA-accredited skills development provider 613/P/00381/2022. DHET-registered private college 2023/FE07/012 for NC(V) programmes. Training in Jeffreys Bay, Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay, Oudtshoorn, Cape St Francis and Mossel Bay.