Editor’s Note: We’re delighted to welcome Kelsey from Find a Nanny to the blog today. Kelsey’s sharing her wisdom on all things nanny-related, to give advice on finding the right nanny for your family.
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Choosing a babysitter is tough, but finding the right nanny is even harder. There are a lot of things to consider before you hire the right person for your family. Follow these simple guidelines and you will find your very own personal Mary Poppins!
Make a list and stick with it: Before you start your hunt for the best nanny, know what you want first. Take the time to talk with your with your spouse and your children on what you expect from the nanny as far as personality, education, punishment practices, daily duties and other things that are important in your family and household. Write out all the things you are looking for and remind yourself through the hiring process what you need in a nanny and stick to your list.
Use an online agency to help: Once you have decided what kind of nanny you are looking for, there are plenty of online nanny agencies that can help you with your decision. Trust sites that have reputable backgrounds, good references and great reviews from other families and the nannies. Online agencies can put you in contact with nannies and are willing to answer and help you with all your questions.
Review the nanny: Once you have narrowed down your nanny options be sure to review your nanny. Go over their resume and past work history. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions. Always call their list of references and never forget to run that background check. Good nannies should have no problem giving you the ok to do so. They understand how serious hiring a nanny can be, so a nanny that is helpful during this process is a good one.
Meet the nanny: Once you have checked your nanny out, it’s best to introduce the kids to the nanny to see how they interact. Alwaysmeet with the nanny first before you introduce the kids. You do not have to hire the nanny based off of one interview. Feel free to invite the nanny over several times before making your decision, and then introduce the kids. Step out of the room for a bit and allow the kids and nanny to interact. After they have done so sit down with your kids ask them what they thought, as well as asking the nanny.
Go with your gut: Always trust your first instinct and your gut feeling. Typically that first feeling is a good indicator of good or bad in the nanny. If you feel something isn’t right, then don’t risk that feeling as ‘just a feeling’ and find a new nanny. When in doubt, find another nanny.
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Hi Kelsey. There’s some fantastic advice in this post. Choosing a nanny can be tricky, but making a list of “must-haves” beforehand can really make the whole process a lot smoother.
Best wishes, Alex
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