Want to know the secret to finding the perfect nanny for your child? Patience. And maybe a pinch of luck too. As long as you realise that you will find the right nanny, then you always will. That said, we all need a little help sometimes and that’s why we are here!
One – Know what you need from a nanny
You need to decide on what it is that you actually need and want. Is age and experience important to you? Do you want somebody with qualifications in childhood development? What responsibilities are going to placed on the carer? You need to be very clear, before you start searching, on exactly what it is that you want from your nanny.
If helps, make a list so you can start asking the right questions at interview time, or so you can hand it to a domestic staffing agency so they can match your needs against their database.
Two – Due diligence
Let your family and circle of friends and contacts know that you are looking for someone. This is potentially very helpful since personal recommendations are often better than reviews from people you don’t know. If there is a nanny training program in the area, give them a call. They may have some excellent referrals to share with you.
Joining online, and even local, groups can also turn up some great resources as well contacts for future reference. If you come across a group that has listings, dig out your notes and see how many you can tick off.
Three – Interview
You may have a small number of applicants, or may have a whole lot more – speak to as many of them as you can. Refer to your notes and ask as many relevant questions as you can such as:
- Experience
- Qualifications
- Personal interests
- Hobbies
- Driving history
- Criminal background
Some of these seem incredibly personal but, at the end of the day, you may be entrusting your child with this person so don’t feel bad about wanting details about a person’s character or background. At the same time, though, try not to be rude even though it may be hard not to sound it with some questions!
When meeting your candidates, it can be helpful to include your child in the process. Seeing how the two interact and get along can be very informative. An interviewee that makes all the right sounds but barely acknowledges your child may not be the right person for the job.
Four – References
By now you should have narrowed it down quite a bit, and gotten a list of some good choices. Your next step is to call the people they marked down as references. If there is a former employer listed, ask why they no longer work there.
Five – Try them out
Ask the final few to come over, one at a time, and just see how they go for a few days. Of course, you should pay the advertised rate for their time. The best way to see how someone works, and if they are right for you, is to actually see how they work.
Finding the right nanny for our little people is crucial, but it doesn’t have to be hard.
