What to You Should Know About Hiring a Nanny
Many families today are choosing nannies over daycare. Should you? Here are some questions you should ask yourself as well as what you should look for when choosing a nanny for your children.
Nanny or Daycare?
Why would you choose to hire a nanny instead of using a daycare? Some parents feel the personal attention a nanny can give to their children is a valuable service many daycares are not capable of providing due to the number of children in their care.
Another reason that families choose nannies or au pairs is for the convenience of having the childcare available outside of standard daycare operating hours.
A nanny will become an integral part of the family so choosing wisely is an important step to selecting the best nanny for your children.
What Do You Want in a Nanny?
Do you want a live-in nanny, day time nanny, full-time, part-time or on call? What is your budget? Will you want the nanny to clean the house, cook meals or transport your children to after school activities or play dates? What other responsibilities are you looking for in a nanny?
Also consider whether you will allow smoking or visitors in your home during the care period. Do you care if the nanny speaks your native language or any other language? Au pairs are commonly younger women from foreign countries; is it important to you to have a caregiver from your locality?
Before you start looking for a nanny you should find out what the local rates are and determine if you can afford the care you are looking for. Perhaps making arrangements with another family to share a nanny will better suit your budget. If you choose to share a nanny you will also need to make a clear agreement with the other parents as to the responsibilities you both require.
What Should You Ask For?
You can find available nannies through agencies, personal references and by posting an ad in the newspaper.
Wherever you go to find a nanny you will want to ask them for references (make certain that you are able to contact the references), a driver's license or other ID, criminal check and child care experience or education depending on your personal requirements. Asking for a nanny with First Aid or CPR is also common.
Agencies usually screen the nannies they place so ask the agency for their details. Arrange to meet the candidates in person and don't commit to a hiring until you've had the chance to interview them.