To get a good nanny, you must expect the process to take a few weeks or even months. We have cases where clients call us, requesting to employ a nanny within 24hours, the chances are that you will make mistakes because you are desperate, you tend to take whatever that comes your way and after a few weeks, you start having issues with the nanny.
Ways to build relationship
- 1. Ask friends, family, co-workers and neighbors how they found their nanny.
- 2. Consult Resource and Referral Agencies: Provide nanny-placement info and in-home child care giving providers the details of what you’re looking out for in a nanny. They can also help choose the best care for your child.
- 3. Nanny-placement service agencies:
- o A nanny placement service can help in the selection process by screening potential applicants, running background and reference checks and by providing you with a list of compatible candidates.o There are fees with these services. An agency might charge an initial fee to begin a search and a one-time placement fee when you select a nanny. Costs and policies will vary by agency.
- Background ChecksIf you don’t plan on using an agency, you still should run a background check on each candidate. It is advisable to do this, because it will enable you know who you are employing. We have companies that run security checks, you contact them to help you run the check. Also when you eventually get someone, try to know her family, where she stays and where she is from, you can take a trip to her place or send someone you trust to do so for you.
- What You WantMake a list of your needs:1. What type of care would you like for your child?
- If you need part-time, at-home care, consider a nanny. If you’d like to find group care outside of home, consider finding a crèche.
- 2. Hours: What days/how many hours do your children need care?
- 3. Driving: Will the nanny need to drive to and from your home?Will the nanny need to pick up/drop off the children?
- 4. Food and Cleaning: Will the nanny prepare meals or do light housework?
- 5. Budget: What can you afford to spend on child care?
- 6. Timing: Do you need care immediately or can you wait on a waiting list?
- 7. Living Arrangements: Would you prefer to have the nanny live with you or have the nanny live-out?
- 8. Nanny or Au Pair? Would you prefer to have a nanny or an au pair (usually a child care worker here on a visa from another country)?
- 9. Make a list of qualifications, prioritize and note where you might be flexible:o Age rangeo Education and trainingo Experienceo Personality traitso Transportation (can drive, etc.)o Number of languages spokeno Live in home or outside home?o Scheduling time if out of homeo Salary range
- Meeting/Interviewing the NannyAfter you’ve found a candidate, schedule an interview. Have your questions, and a pen and paper to take notes. Why? It’s easier to compare with a written record when making a final decision.Remember, this interview is a job interview. You will officially be the nanny’s employer.Here are a list of questions to consider asking the nanny. Feel free to omit or add on more of your own.
- Qualifications, Skills and Training1. Do you have any special training or certification such as first aid or infant/child CPR? Do you have ongoing training? May I see the certificates?2. How have you worked as a nanny.3. Why did you leave your last employer4. Ask them about the worst experience they had at their last work place.
- Experience1. Why are you a nanny?2. What do you like most about being a nanny and being with children? What do you like least?3. What are the ages of children you have cared for?4. Why did you leave your last job? (You should always check references; ask the family why the relationship ended and whether they would recommend that caregiver.)5. How do you discipline children?6. What is the most difficult situation you have encountered? How did you handle it?7. What would you do in the event of an emergency?8. What are your favorite activities to do with children?9. Do you have any other interests or jobs?10. What are your personal and career goals? How long do you11. What are your core values?intend to nanny?12. What hours/days are you available?13. What are you asking for in terms of salary?14. Do you have references? May I have a copy of your references so Imay contact them?15. What questions do you have for me?
- After the initial interview, have the nanny spend some time with your children. Observe:1. Does the nanny talk and listen to children?2. Try to build on language?3. Are open-ended questions posed to stretch thinking and reasoning?4. Does she show interest in what children are saying and doing?5. Let children explore on their own, but give them help and encouragement when they need it?6. Play with children on their level (for young children, usually down on the floor)?7. Respond quickly to children’s cries, words, and behaviors?8. Supervise young children very closely?9. Seem warm, friendly, and supportive?10. Seem to know and respond to each child as an individual?11. Share your feelings about what is important for children?12. Smile a lot and seem to enjoy the children?13. Encourage children to share, comfort each other, and help each other out?14. Appear to strike a balance between allowing children to do things for themselves, such as when dressing outdoors, and helping them when needed?
- 15. Look at the children -o Are they happy, relaxed, and focused on what they are doing most of the time?o Is independence encouraged?o Are children allowed to make choices?o Is problem-solving and personal expression allowed?o Are children treated with respect at all times?
- Post InterviewReview the CandidatesAfter the interview, jot down quick notes about your first impressions of the nanny. Review your notes after interviews with all candidates and refer back to the initial criteria you laid out beforehand. Take some time to ask yourself a few questions:1. Which nanny best fit the criteria I initially decided upon?2. Which nanny should I choose so that my child will be happy and grow?3. Which nanny can meet the special needs of my child?4. Are the nanny’s values compatible with my family’s values?5. Is the nanny care available and affordable according to my family’s needs and resources?6. Do I feel good about my decision?7. How can I arrange my schedule so that I can:o Talk to my nanny every day?o Talk to my child every day about how the day went?8. How can I work with my nanny to resolve issues and concerns that may arise?9. How do I keep informed about my nanny’s growth and development while in care?
- Checking ReferencesCheck all references. Here are a few starter questions to ask references. Feel free to omit or add more of your own:1. Was the nanny reliable on a daily basis?2. How did the nanny discipline your child?3. Did your child enjoy the nanny experience?4. How did the nanny respond to you as a parent?5. How did the nanny respond to you as a employer?6. Was the nanny respectful of your values and culture?7. Would you recommend the nanny without reservation?8. Why did the nanny leave the job or why did you let the nanny go?After you have made your choice, arrange to have your child spend part of the day with the nanny. Be sure that the nanny can easily contact you during this “trial period.” Then talk to your child about their experience.
- We hope you find this helpful as you take informed decisions about your choice of a Nanny.