Selecting A Nanny To Care For Your Child
If you are a parent, and your child is not yet old enough to look after themself, you should probably consider hiring some type of supervision so they stay safe. If you work away from the home or require some quiet time to conduct business, you may have considered hiring a nanny to take on the task of caring for your child in your absence. Here are some points to keep in mind to ensure the caretaker you select is the best match for your family.
Specify Your Desires From The Very Start
When you begin interviewing prospective nannies to watch over your child, it is wise not to hold back any details regarding your expectations. If you do not make your wishes known from the beginning, and you hire someone that does not agree with all of them, you may find yourself needing to go through the hiring process again. For example, if you want your nanny to stay over at your home overnight or if you intend for them to drive your child around, this needs to be explained immediately so prospective nannies have the opportunity to decline the job if it does not fit with their needs. If possible, provide interviewees with a written list of these wishes so they can be referred to as needed.
Watch The Way A Nanny Interacts With Your Child
Before you agree to hire a prospective nanny, you need to know how they act around your child so there are no conflicts that could cause problems later. Introduce a prospective nanny to your child while you are in both in their presence. In addition to observing actions while you are nearby, you also need to watch from afar to ensure your child gets along with the person when you are not readily available. This should be conducted upon your property, if possible, as it is too soon to allow your child away from your sight until a complete background check is conducted. If your child is old enough to voice their opinion, make sure to ask them about their thoughts for each person interviewed.
Gather Information About Prior Jobs And Conduct Background Checks
When hiring a nanny, it is an absolute must to have a background check conducted. There are several reputable services that perform these checks, including the history of criminal incidents. Do not skip this step as it could put your child at risk. Instead, ask prospective nannies about their prior jobs with other children and ask for referral information. Make sure to contact each person on a referral list to inquire about their prior nanny's disposition and whether there were any incidents that troubled them. This is also a step that should not be skipped to ensure your child's caretaker is reliable and a safe person to look after them.
Keep these tips in mind when looking for nannies near you.