How to Select a Nanny

Hiring a nanny for your child or children is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent or parents. In this article you will find ways that can help you or someone you know find the perfect nanny for your child or children.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Time
• Patience
• Money
• Telephone
• Internet access

How to Select a Nanny

1. Rushing when looking for a nanny is not a good idea. Take your time and review all the different situations before making a final decision.

2. Make a list of exactly what you are looking for in a nanny. This means, money, time, expectations, references and exactly what you are looking for in the person you are hiring. Stay true to what you are looking for, do not settle for anything less.

3. Search for resources that will give you a list of different nanny agencies. You can do this by looking in the phone book, asking family and friends who use nanny services or who know of any reputable nannies in the area. Searching the internet is also a great way to find nanny agencies in your area, Yahoo or Google will give you an extensive list when using the keyword "nanny agencies".

4. Once you have found an agency, be sure to ask questions regarding the agency. Ask how they screen their nannies, what the process is exactly, how extensive are the background checks, do they perform drug testing, how long have they been in business, and any other questions that you want to ask. If they refuse or seem a bit hesitant to answer anything you ask, move on to the next agency.

5. Interviewing the potential candidates can be a long process. Do not try and make it any quicker. Have a list of questions that you personally want to ask, and stick to it. Whether it be 10 questions or 100 questions, ask all of them and listen to each answer. If you do not hear what you want to hear, then on a separate piece of paper mark that question as well as the name of the nanny being interviewed.

6. Check all references even if you go through an agency. Ask for at least five personal references, and three work related references. The number one question to ask regarding work related references is if they are willing to re-hire the specific person. If the answer is no, ask for a detailed explanation. If by any chance you cannot get a hold of a reference, ask for another. If that is not possible, move on to the next potential hire.

7. Request a background check on the potential nanny that you have chosen. You must first have their consent, their social security number and any aliases that they have used in the last seven years. You can go to your local police department and request a background check for a minimal fee.

8. Write an agreement between you and the nanny as to what you expect from them and what they expect from you. In the agreement be sure to specify each and every duty that you want him/her to perform and the compensation that is being offered. Start them on a weekly basis until you feel comfortable offering them something more permanent.

Tips & Warnings

• Never skip any steps.
• Be very, very thorough when searching for a nanny.
• Do not choose the first nanny that comes along unless they meet all the criteria and then some.
• If there is any discrepancies in anything, move on to the next candidate.
• Always go with your gut feeling.

[sheila325]

on 7/2/2009 Thanks for sharing this article. To find free nanny jobs, you can also check out Nannytoyou.com for free online database of thousands of nanny jobs. Hope this one helps.

www.nannytoyou.com

[thenannysden]

on 8/21/2008 I agree! And if you expect your Nanny to be driving...let that be included in the interview process. One family let me drive them around town so they could "point out where the parks" were but later I found out that it was because their other nanny a a horrible driver.