When you know exactly what kind of child care professional you need, finding one is quite easy. To find out, you should first determine the nanny’s tasks and responsibilities, work out a schedule and decide on remuneration. If you wish, you can also include some personal qualities in the mix. Moreover, you should always do an in-depth background and reference check to make sure you hire the right nanny for your child or children.
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Experience and Time
You need someone with sufficient experience and a clean driving record. Your candidate of choice should be available during the hours and days set by you. You will also need to decide whether the nanny will live with you or not. In addition, CPR certification is an asset.
To look for reliable candidates, you can start with authority sources. Nanny.org, UrbanSitter, and SitterCity are helpful resources with many nanny profiles. Alternatively, you could go through an agency if their fees aren’t a problem for you.
Ask for Recommendations
Ask friends and relatives if they can recommend a good care provider. They might know a nanny who’s looking for a job right now. Trying someone they recommend is a good option, even though there’s no guarantee you’ll be satisfied with this person. It will be easier to decide whether a particular nanny could be the right fit if you have friends and relatives who’ve had positive experiences with her. Sharing a nanny with someone else is also an option if you can work out a sharing schedule.
Safety Measures
As COVID-19 remains a concern, you’ll need to inquire into your candidates’ work approaches and whether they have changed. This can be done during the interview, which is an important stage in the process. Also, you should ask about their approach to discipline. Introduce them to your family, your daily life, and your expectations. It is important to look for candidates who are flexible and have an open schedule. At the same time, you don’t need to make things too formal. Ask applicants about their background, interests, and how they cope under pressure.
As you share your expectations, you should provide a job description and a schedule. Communicate any details surrounding your child or children, such as special needs or specific medication. Share the pay range to avoid misaligned expectations. Furthermore, you don’t have to state a fixed hourly rate. Communicate additional requirements, such as help with housework or your children’s homework.
Do a Test Run
Ideally, you should have your child meet your top candidates during the interview and agree on a brief test run. This will show whether the nanny is right for your child. You should be present on the first and second days of the trial. If everything goes well, you can give her some freedom for the remaining time. At the end of the test period, you can check in with the nanny and your child to find out how it went.
Sign a Contract
If everything went well, you can proceed to sign a contract. This step is recommended even if the nanny will be working for your part-time or on call. In the contract, you should clearly state the job requirements and tasks, vacation, and payment terms.
You might also run a quick online background check on your top candidates. If something objectionable emerges, you should not reject them immediately based on this information alone, since it may not be accurate. However, you should discuss any critical points if concerning findings emerge.
