From RBT to Nanny: Transitioning to Nanny Care
If you’re a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) considering a move into private nanny care, you bring a highly valuable set of skills to the table — but you also face unique challenges in transitioning from a clinical or therapeutic setting to a family-centered home environment.
Many parents today are looking for nannies who align with positive discipline, gentle parenting, and child-led approaches. This can sometimes feel at odds with the structured, data-driven methods used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and RBT work. So how can you make a smooth and successful shift?
Here are some important things to keep in mind as you make this transition:
Highlight Your Strengths — Carefully
Your training as an RBT has given you exceptional observation skills, patience, and knowledge of child development — all major assets in nanny care!
When applying for nanny positions, highlight:
Your ability to understand behaviors and anticipate needs
Your experience creating structure and routine
Your calm and composed presence during challenging moments
Your communication skills with both children and parents
But be mindful not to present yourself as a “therapist” or suggest you will implement formal behavior programs unless specifically requested. Most families are not looking for in-home therapy — they’re looking for a loving caregiver.
Understand the Shift in Goals
As an RBT, your focus was often on skill acquisition, behavior reduction, and measurable outcomes. As a nanny, your role is about nurturing, caregiving, supporting development, and building a warm, trusting relationship.
Parents often want their children to feel safe, loved, and respected, not “fixed” or managed. Be prepared to relax your focus on data collection and compliance, and lean into child-led activities, emotional connection, and playful learning.
Learn About Positive Discipline and Gentle Parenting
Many modern families embrace parenting styles like:
Positive discipline
Gentle parenting
Responsive caregiving
Conscious parenting
These approaches prioritize:
Validating children’s emotions
Collaborating instead of controlling
Using natural consequences instead of punishments
Building connection over compliance
Take time to educate yourself on these philosophies. You don’t have to abandon your training — but you do need to understand how parents want discipline handled in their home, which may be less rigid than RBT protocols.
Communicate, Don’t Diagnose
As an RBT, you’re trained to spot patterns and note potential delays or concerns — but as a nanny, your role is not to assess, diagnose, or intervene clinically.
Instead, focus on open, respectful communication with parents:
Share observations as a caregiver, not a therapist
Respect the family’s parenting style and values
Ask parents how they want you to handle challenges
Embrace Flexibility
In therapy, sessions often have a set structure and goal. In a home, life is less predictable. There are messes, missed naps, spontaneous adventures, and moments when connection matters more than “progress.”
As a nanny, be ready to pivot. Your flexibility, sense of humor, and ability to go with the flow will make you stand out.
Your background as an RBT can be an incredible asset in the nanny world — if you’re willing to adjust your mindset from “interventionist” to “caregiver.” By emphasizing connection, gentle discipline, and emotional support, you can provide families with both your expertise and your heart.
Many parents are actively looking for nannies who are both knowledgeable and nurturing. If you can blend your clinical background with a warm, child-centered approach, you’ll not only be highly employable — you’ll be a gift to the families you serve.
Bonus Tip: Consider adding some professional development in positive discipline or gentle parenting to your resume — it shows parents you’re committed to supporting their values, not just bringing your own agenda.