The winter 2022 cadre, our first cadre, has been matched!
The PROPEL nanny mentoring program is a joint venture between Nanny Care Hub and Rayz Kidz. Our goal is to provide a professional program that accelerates the professional development of mentees and gives mentors the opportunity to share their expertise in meaningful ways.
How It Works
Through an application and interview process, PROPEL will choose a cadre of 10 to 15 mentors (depending on how many apply) that demonstrate expertise in a topic that was rated as a top topic in our initial listening session and survey and that meet the other mentor requirements.
From a topic list based on the available mentors and their expertise, mentee candidates who have a goal that aligns with one of the topics are invited to apply to the program. For example, a nanny that has the goal of learning to use a positive guidance approach with toddlers would apply under the topic child guidance. A nanny that has a goal of understanding the unique expectations and challenges of a nanny position would apply under the topic nanny career.
PROPEL will match mentors and mentees based on a number of factors, focused on making matches that align both personally and professionally.
Mentors and mentees will take an on demand orientation and then connect with each other to decide on the details of how their mentorship will work.
With support and resources from PROPEL, teams will connect for 3 months, from February 1st through April 31st.
Throughout the program, mentors and mentees will provide feedback to PROPEL to help us make improvements on the program and expand in ways that are most helpful to the nanny community.
What This Mentoring Program Is and Isn’t
There have been several questions about what exactly the program is. A casual buddy system for general support and friendship? A place to get questions answered that come up in the workplace? While both of those things are important in our community, this mentoring program is more. It’s a structured, professional program that is focused on helping mentees develop specific skills to help them reach their stated goal and provide mentors the opportunity to share their expertise in an impactful way. Here are a few more examples of what it is and isn’t.
| WHAT PROPEL IS | WHAT PROPEL ISN’T |
| along with connection and support, conversations are focused on helping the mentee reach stated goal | casual chat about what’s happened in mentee’s life or gripe session about their work environment |
| mentor will use their expertise and mentoring tools to help mentee gain the skills needed to reach their goal | mentor will tell mentee how to solve problems as they come up |
| both mentor and mentee have a respect for each other’s time and commit to showing up prepared for each mentoring session | there’s a make-it-when-I-can attitude about mentoring sessions |
| mentee is willing to do work outside of sessions if agreed to by both sides | mentee just wants to talk, not do any work towards trying something new or change |
| mentee has an open mind and willingness to consider new ways of thinking and doing | mentee doesn’t want to make any changes, instead they want confirmation that they’re right |
| mentee is able to self-reflect and increase their self-awareness | mentee is not willing to participate in self-evaluation |
| mentee understands their mentor doesn’t have all the answers and engages in collaborative problem solving when needed | mentee expects mentor to always know the next step |
Cost
The program is free. Mentors generously volunteer their time and expertise. Nanny Care Hub and Rayz Kidz develop and oversee the program as part of their commitment to giving back to the nanny community. Because there’s not a financial incentive for mentors or a financial obligation for mentees, we screen all parties for a strong commitment to fully engage in the program for the full 3 months. We take that commitment to the program and the other party seriously. Those that aren’t fully ready to participate should not apply.
Timeframe and Deadlines
16 matches have been made for the winter 2022 cadre that runs from February 1st to April 31st
Mentor Qualifications
- minimum of 5 years of nanny experience
- demonstratable advanced, practical knowledge in their area of expertise
- ability to communicate in a timely and effective way with mentee
- ability to participate in the program for the full 3 month term, for at least 4 to 6 hours per month
- commitment to fully engage in process and be respectful of mentee’s time and effort
- willingness to complete mentor orientation
- willingness to complete program evaluations as needed
Mentee Qualification
- current employment as a nanny or 2 years previous nanny experience if looking for a position
- full understanding of what the program is and isn’t (please read the section above carefully)
- ability to communicate in a timely and effective way with mentor
- ability to participate in the program for the full 3 month term, for at least 4 to 6 hours per month
- commitment to fully engage in process and be respectful of mentor’s time and effort
- willingness to complete mentee orientation
- willingness to complete program evaluations as needed
Please check our social media pages for updates. You can email either Annie or Lora directly with any questions you have.
