Finding a good nanny can be a daunting task. As a parent, it would be detrimental for you and your family to allow a random person to be a caregiver in your home. We have compiled a list of the top things you need to consider before hiring a nanny:
- Hire your nanny through a reputable agency:
Reputable agencies vet their candidates and perform proper background checks on the nannies they recruit. They also assist you to come up with a contract between you and your nanny. This helps to ensure that both parties agree to the scope of work and the compensation for the work.
- Perform a thorough interview on the nanny:
Regardless of whether you get your nanny through a reputable agency, ensure you ask them specific questions that will help you understand their background, work experience and willingness to work. You will also be able to discover other good traits that they possess like love for children, patience and reliability. Let the prospective nanny know about your style of parenting and disciplining your children.
- Relevant experience in childcare:
You need to consider how much experience your prospective nanny has in caring for children. This will allow you to request references from their previous employers to verify if they have given you the correct information. Lack of references should be a red flag and you should never hire a nanny with no caregiver experience or references. When calling the nannies references be specific by asking them prompting questions like what issues they experienced with the nanny, whether they would consider rehiring the nanny, etc.
- Education level:
This is an important consideration that you must make to ensure that your potential nanny’s education aligns with the needs you have. Some nannies have a high school diploma while others may have professional certifications. Depending on the role for which you are hiring a nanny, educational qualifications should be scrutinized.
Before hiring a nanny, check the nanny cost calculator that how much you need to pay for your childcare.
- Health check:
This is an often ignored consideration when most parents are hiring a nanny. It is important for you to arrange for and facilitate a health check-up for your prospective nanny. Knowing their health status puts your mind at ease especially since they would be handling your child. Children’s immune system is still in the development stage and as such, they are predisposed to a number of health risks at young ages.
- Cleanliness:
Hygiene means a lot especially when it comes to hiring a caregiver. You will want to live with someone who showers, combs their hair and does other hygiene-related stuff without you having to point it out for them. Some parents prefer to give their nannies a headscarf and uniform. At the point of hiring, you should let your potential nanny know if you plan to do this as some nannies may not be comfortable with that.
- Reliability:
Depending on whether you want to hire a daytime nanny or a live-in one, you need to consider how reliable they are. For the daytime nanny, you need to be clear on the work schedule and what time they are expected to arrive at your home during their working days. It becomes hectic to start organizing for other childcare services when suddenly your nanny fails to turn up.
Let your nanny know about any arrangements you may have in place that require them to be punctual and on point. For example, picking up kids from a music lesson and delivering items to a specific place, etc. A nanny’s punctuality during the interview would be an important pointer for you to have an insight into their reliability.
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