I would highly recommend the internship route. I had a young man intern for me over the summer last year. A few months later he was being interviewed for a very good job at a University and used me as a reference, which I was happy to do. And he got the job.

Doing an internship will give you a great reference. I know it's free work, but you are getting work experience you desperately need, and often, a great reference out of it.

Freelancing is very competitive. (I am a self-employed consultant aka freelancer.) Clients want someone with a great track record of results who will work for a reasonable fee. If you charge more, like I do, you have to be able to justify it with results.

Master's programs are hard. I had a fellowship in which I taught undergrads, plus took all my own courses and did my own thesis work, plus worked a part time job on the side. I think I slept maybe 5 hours a night on average...I snuck in 15 minute naps between classes in my office, lol.

If you want to change your career from being a nanny, you may have to sacrifice and do an internship for three months so you can get an "in" with a company or be able to point to some real world experience.

Good luck,
Seesaw