Nancy Hamm Teacher's Profile

Professional Nanny Foundations – Course Description

Step confidently into the world of professional childcare with Professional Nanny Foundations, a comprehensive training designed to equip new and aspiring nannies with the essential skills, knowledge, and professionalism required in today’s childcare industry.

This course guides you through the core principles of child development, safety, communication, emotional intelligence, and household professionalism—ensuring you enter each home prepared, confident, and capable. You’ll learn what separates a true professional nanny from a babysitter, how to support healthy attachment, how to manage common behavioral challenges, and how to create a structured, nurturing environment for children ages 0–5.

Through real-world examples, scripts, checklists, and expert-backed guidance, you’ll gain the practical tools needed to build strong relationships with families, uphold clear boundaries, and maintain the highest standards of ethical care.

Whether you are brand new to the field or seeking to elevate your professional approach, Professional Nanny Foundations provides the solid groundwork to begin your career with excellence.

The Foundations of Professional Nanny Care-Full Course

Nancy Hamm

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Nancy is the founder of Postpartum Doula Academy and Gentle Venture's Training Classes,

where she teaches as a Newborn Care Specialist and Infant Sleep Consultant.

With over 33 years of experience and more than 40,000 hours of hands-on experience with babies,

Nancy has worked with twins, triplets, quads, sextuplets, preemies, and various other newborns.

In addition to managing Exclusively Newborns, Nancy founded the NCSA LLC (Newborn Care Specialist Association) to establish certification guidelines for Newborn Care Specialists.

She handed over the NCSA to a new set of eyes and is looking forward to what comes next.

Nancy has been helping Birth Workers be safe with solid, professional, and legal contracts since 2012, becoming an industry standard and markedly rated the best on the market.

Courses by this teacher

Name	Level	Release Date
Class 1 What it means to be a Newborn Care Specialist		05/22/2018
Newborn Care Specialist		05/22/2018
Newborn Nanny		05/22/2018
Class 2 Crying and Soothing		05/22/2018
Class 3 Swaddling, Sleep Conditioning and Training.		05/22/2018
Class 4 Poop & Pacifers		06/22/2018
Class 5 Formulas		06/22/2018
Class 6 Breastfeeding		06/22/2018
Colic and Reflux		06/22/2018
Class 8 Ailments		06/22/2018
Class 9 Hints and Tips You must know		06/22/2018
Class 10 Newborn Safety and Chemicals		06/22/2018
Class 11 Death of an Infant, Failure to Thrive and A Baby’s Mind		06/22/2018
NCS Ethics and Final Exam		06/22/2018
Newborn Nanny Ethics and Exam		06/22/2018
Class 12 4 to 6 months (NN)		07/24/2018
Class 13 7 to 9 months (NN)		07/24/2018
Class 14 10 to 12 Months (NN)		07/24/2018
Class 15 Every Day Issues (NN)		07/24/2018
The Holistic Newborn		02/12/2019
Holistic Newborn Nanny		04/30/2019
Class 1: Intro to Holistic Newborn		06/01/2020
Class 2: Holistic Why Babies Cry And Swaddling Explained		06/01/2020
Class 3: Holistic Sleep Conditioning And Training		06/01/2020
Class 4: Holistic Pooping, & Scheduling		06/01/2020
Class 5: Holistic Formulas		06/01/2020
Class 6: Holistic Breastfeeding Advantages & Issues		06/01/2020
Class 7: Holistic Reflux & Colic		06/01/2020
Class 8: Holistic Warning Signs in a Newborn & Ailments		06/01/2020
Class 9: Holistic Postpartum and Baby Blues		06/01/2020
Class 10: Holistic Newborn Safety & Chemicals		06/01/2020
Class 11: Holistic R.A.D., Failure to Thrive, A Baby's Mind, The Death of an Infant		06/01/2020
Class 12: Holistic 4-10 months		06/01/2020
Class 13: Holistic 10-18 months		06/01/2020
Class 14: Holistic The Professional NCS and final exam		06/01/2020
Vaccines		08/28/2020
ABC's of Business		08/28/2020
Sleep Deprivation For The NCS		08/28/2020
Sleep Training and Conditioning		09/08/2020
Students: Vaccines		08/28/2020
Students: ABC's of Business		08/28/2020
Students: Sleep Deprivation For The NCS		08/28/2020
Students: Sleep Training and Conditioning		09/08/2020
Class 1: Crunchy Mama's Holistic Guide		12/04/2020
Students Class 1: Crunchy Mama's Holistic Guide		12/04/2020
Class 2: Crunchy Mama's Holistic Guide		12/04/2020
Students Class 2: Crunchy Mama's Holistic Guide		12/04/2020
Class 3: Crunchy Mama's Holistic Guide		12/04/2020
Students Class 3: Crunchy Mama's Holistic Guide		12/04/2020
Class 4: Crunchy Mama's Holistic Guide		12/04/2020
Students Class 4: Crunchy Mama's Holistic Guide		12/04/2020
Class 5: Crunchy Mama's Holistic Guide		12/04/2020
Students Class 5: Crunchy Mama's Holistic Guide		12/04/2020
Class 6: Crunchy Mama's Holistic Guide		12/04/2020
Students Class 6: Crunchy Mama's Holistic Guide		12/04/2020
Class 7: Crunchy Mama's Holistic Guide		12/04/2020
Students Class 7: Crunchy Mama's Holistic Guide		12/04/2020
Crunchy Mama's Holistic Guide - Full Course		11/30/2020
Students: Crunchy Mama's Holistic Guide - Full Course		11/30/2020
Ethics		01/15/2022
Class 1b: Taking Care of Mama		05/12/2022
Class 1c: Baby Wearing		05/12/2022
How to Interview for a High-Profile Position		10/22/2022
How to Teach a Parenting Class		10/22/2022
Sense and Non-Sense		10/24/2022
Students: Sense and Non-Sense		10/24/2022
Essential Newborn Care Specialist Course - Streamline Edition		05/07/2024
Postpartum Doula Contract		05/22/2018
Postpartum Doula/Newborn Care Specialist Contract		05/22/2018
Newborn Care Specialist Contract		05/22/2018
Professional Nanny Contract		06/22/2018
Temporary Fill In Contract		06/22/2018
The Foundations of Professional Nanny Care		11/15/2025

Class 1. NANNY STANDARDS + 4 - 6 MONTHS

This chapter provides nannies with a structured, professional guide to caring for children from four months to three years of age, emphasizing both developmental knowledge and ethical practice in the home. It outlines the nanny’s role as a supportive partner to parents, highlights the importance of confidentiality, communication, and mandated reporting, and reinforces the need for clear boundaries and professionalism. The section introduces daily documentation standards that promote transparency and collaboration with families. It also details developmental milestones for infants ages 4–6 months, including physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and language growth, along with guidance on sleep, feeding, safety, and immunizations. Together, these foundational principles prepare nannies to provide safe, nurturing, developmentally aligned care while building trust and accountability within the family.

Class 2. INTRODUCING FOODS

This chapter guides nannies through the 4–6 month stage and how to introduce solids safely (including signs of readiness, suggested first foods, and allergy precautions); and explains basic oral health recommendations. You’ll learn how to structure age-appropriate nap schedules, recognize and respond to the common 4-month sleep regression without creating new sleep associations, and support healthy growth with responsive feeding practices. The chapter closes with practical, developmentally rich activity ideas and a sample “day in the life” nanny schedule, helping you translate this knowledge into calm, confident, and consistent daily care.

Class 3. 7 – 9 MONTHS

This chapter provides a comprehensive guide to caring for babies ages 7–9 months, covering expected developmental milestones, sleep and feeding patterns, safety needs, and daily routines. It outlines physical, cognitive, social, and language development, while offering practical guidance on introducing solids, supporting mobility, encouraging early communication, and creating safe, stimulating play environments. The chapter also includes activities that build memory, motor skills, and language, plus caregiver strategies for managing separation anxiety, promoting independence, and establishing healthy schedules. A sample “day in the life” routine is included to help caregivers understand practical, age-appropriate structure.

Class 4. 10 – 12 MONTHS

This chapter outlines the rapid transition from late infancy to early toddlerhood, covering key developmental milestones between 10 and 12 months. It highlights growing mobility (pulling to stand, cruising, crawling, and first steps), improved fine motor skills (refined pincer grasp, self-feeding, container play), and expanding cognitive abilities like object permanence, cause-and-effect learning, and imitation. Emotional and social development is marked by strong attachment, separation anxiety, interactive play, and early boundary testing. Communication advances significantly with gesture use, understanding simple directions, and first meaningful words. Nutrition shifts toward 3 solid meals plus snacks while breast milk or formula remains important, and vigilance increases with baby-proofing, choking safety, and new teeth. The chapter also provides sample daily schedules and healthy meal guidelines, helping nannies support safe exploration, self-feeding, language growth, and emotional security during this exciting, fast-changing stage.

Class 5. 12 – 18 MONTHS

This chapter addresses the major developmental changes seen between 12 and 18 months, a stage marked by growing independence, rapid motor progress, and emerging language. Children at this age begin walking, climbing, self-feeding with a spoon, exploring books, and imitating adult behavior, while also showing affection and early pretend play. With increased mobility, safety becomes a priority, requiring thorough childproofing and constant supervision. Mealtimes transition to more table foods, with guidelines to prevent choking, avoid sweets, and watch for food allergies or intolerances. Because toddlers may suddenly reject previously enjoyed foods, caregivers are encouraged to model healthy eating, offer choices, and introduce foods repeatedly without pressure. The chapter also explains how to gently transition from two naps to one while maintaining needed rest and quiet time. Overall, this section prepares caregivers to support curiosity, safe exploration, independence, and healthy habits during this energetic early toddler stage.

Class 6. 19 MONTHS TO 3 YEARS

This chapter covers the dynamic developmental period between 18 months and 3 years, when toddlers become highly active, curious, and expressive. It outlines key physical milestones such as running, climbing, jumping, fine-motor coordination, and early self-help skills. Cognitive growth is explored through problem-solving, memory, imaginative play, and the ability to follow simple instructions. The chapter details rapid language expansion, early sentence formation, and a growing interest in naming and understanding the world. It also explains social-emotional changes, including emerging self-awareness, empathy, possessiveness, independence, and early peer interactions. Caregivers gain insight into typical behaviors, types of aggression, and how toddlers develop emotionally, socially, and physically during this lively and formative stage.

Class 7. SHADOW MOTHERS & SIBLING INTERACTION

This chapter explores the emotional, cultural, and developmental dynamics that shape the nanny’s role beyond basic childcare. It highlights the concept of “Shadow Mothering,” addressing the balance between forming a healthy attachment with the child while reinforcing the parent’s primary role. The material guides nannies on how to support parent–child bonding, navigate feelings of jealousy, and ensure family relationships remain secure. It also emphasizes cultural sensitivity, encouraging respectful adherence to family traditions, dietary practices, and religious customs. Additional sections provide strategies for managing sibling adjustment when a new baby arrives and offer insight into the stages of hearing development, reminding nannies to observe milestones and communicate concerns appropriately. Overall, this chapter reinforces professionalism, emotional awareness, and cultural respect as essential skills in high-quality in-home childcare.

Class 8. EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT & SUN

This chapter focuses on children’s emotional development and the nanny’s role in nurturing healthy social and emotional growth. It explains how children learn key skills such as sharing, patience, and empathy through modeling, positive reinforcement, and play-based experiences. Caregivers are encouraged to name and validate feelings, create safe spaces for emotional expression, and use gentle discipline strategies that guide rather than punish. The chapter emphasizes that secure attachment—not early peer interaction—is the foundation for strong social skills, and that consistent, responsive caregiving builds confidence, resilience, and emotional intelligence. It also includes practical activities to support emotional learning, and concludes with sun-safety guidance, highlighting how to protect children outdoors while encouraging healthy exposure. Together, these tools help nannies foster secure relationships, emotional awareness, and long-term wellbeing.

Class 9. SOCIALIZATION - SCREEN TIME

This chapter provides evidence-based guidance on screen time for young children and outlines best practices for outings and discipline. It emphasizes that screens should be avoided before 18 months (except video chatting), used only with caregiver interaction for toddlers, and limited to one hour of high-quality programming for ages 2–5. The chapter explains how excessive screen exposure can affect language, sleep, attention, emotional regulation, and healthy brain development, while noting the limited benefits of co-viewed, slow, educational content. Practical sections teach nannies how to lead safe outings, support healthy socialization, and manage play dates with clear expectations and supervision. It also presents a professional approach to discipline rooted in empathy, developmental understanding, and consistency—rejecting physical punishment and focusing on redirection, modeling, positive reinforcement, and thoughtful decision-making in real-time situations. Together, these guidelines support healthy development, secure relationships, and professional caregiving practices.

Class 10. AUTISUM - SUGAR & MORE

This chapter provides nannies with a comprehensive understanding of toddler development, including attachment, socialization. It explains how secure attachment—not early peer interaction—forms the foundation for healthy social and emotional development, and offers practical guidance for safe outings, positive discipline, and supporting emotional skills like empathy, sharing, and patience. Early indicators of autism spectrum disorder, and the caregiver traits needed to support neurodiverse children. Together, these topics equip nannies with the knowledge and tools to nurture children’s safety, well-being, and holistic development.

Class 11. TERRIBLE TWOS - TRAVELING MORE

This chapter prepares nannies to confidently and safely support families when traveling with toddlers, covering everything from planning and packing to managing routines on the road. It outlines essential travel strategies for air and car trips, including maintaining sleep schedules, managing time-zone changes, organizing comfort items, and ensuring safety with proper car seats and travel gear. The chapter also provides guidance on preparing toddlers for new sleep environments, assembling medical and emergency documents, understanding international travel requirements, and clarifying work expectations before departure. With practical checklists and clear procedures, this section equips nannies to create smooth, predictable, and stress-reducing travel experiences for both child and family.

This chapter guides nannies through the toddler years by explaining why the “terrible twos and threes” are actually a powerful season of learning, emotional growth, and emerging independence. It outlines practical strategies for managing tantrums, reducing power struggles, establishing routines, and teaching toddlers healthy communication and self-regulation. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of training, preparation, and understanding triggers such as hunger, fatigue, and overstimulation. Additional sections provide supportive tools, including the recommended childhood vaccine schedule for reference, and a developmental guide to “tiny tasks” that build confidence, responsibility, and independence from infancy through age five. Together, the chapter reframes this stage as highly teachable—equipping nannies to foster cooperation, resilience, and pride in young children.

Class 12. 24/7 AND ROTO NANNIES IN HIGH PROFILE HOMES

This chapter outlines the high professional standards required of live-in nannies, particularly in high-profile households, where privacy, structure, and impeccable boundaries are essential. It explains the unique demands of living on-site, the importance of following a clear chain of command, respecting restricted areas, maintaining a professional appearance, and understanding security, travel, and confidentiality protocols—especially NDAs. The chapter also details appropriate communication, common missteps to avoid, expectations for shared spaces, and agreements that should be established before accepting a live-in role. With onboarding checklists and real case studies, the chapter equips nannies to thrive in elite homes by demonstrating maturity, emotional intelligence, discretion, and consistent professionalism.

Class 13. POLICY AND PROCEDURES

This chapter brings together the essential policies, expectations, and professional standards required for high-quality childcare. It clarifies the responsibilities every nanny must uphold—from punctuality, health and safety procedures, emergency readiness, confidentiality, and positive discipline, to feeding, sleep routines, transportation, documentation, and communication. It also reinforces the mindset of true professionalism: maintaining boundaries, practicing emotional maturity, modeling integrity, avoiding entitlement, and continuously raising the standard of care within the field. The chapter closes with guidance on contracts and accountability, reminding caregivers that excellence begins with personal responsibility and respect for the families they serve.

Postpartum Doula Academy

602-412-8497

Nanny Care Class Description

Professional Nanny Foundations – Course Description

The Nanny Care course consists of:

Basic and advanced techniques for Nanny Care 0 - 12 weeks

The Foundations of Professional Nanny Care-Full Course

Nancy Hamm

Nancy is the founder of Postpartum Doula Academy and Gentle Venture's Training Classes,

Courses by this teacher

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