How To Choose A Nanny: Six Tips
How to choose a nanny is one of the most important prerogatives of mothers who have to go back to work a few months after giving birth. It also includes women who, for any reason, need extra help around the house at some stage in their children’s lives.
The task of choosing a nanny is not an easy one. You have to think about it carefully. After all, she will be in charge of the well-being of the most precious part of your life: your children.
The bond that children form with their immediate family is no secret to anyone. This is very important to consider when placing a baby in someone else’s care.
Many doubts and worries will come to your mind and this is completely normal. This is especially true if it’s a baby, who probably hasn’t had much contact with people outside of his immediate family.
This is not an easy task but it is not an impossible mission. It’s all a matter of:
- attentive
- caution
- be thorough
You must be aware that somehow appearances are deceiving. You should therefore ask and research as many questions as possible to choose a reliable nanny who can guarantee the well-being of your children.
How to choose a nanny: a quest that requires time and patience
The age of your children plays an important role in choosing the right babysitter. In addition, your maternal instinct will always find ways to protect your children.
Finding a person to take care of your little ones can be a long process. However, it is the best way. You have to be patient and come up with a long list of reasons for hiring a particular person before making a decision to choose a particular nanny. You should not rush this decision.
Keep in mind that the profile of the nanny you need will vary depending on what you need at any given time. For example, it makes a difference whether they are alone with your children or with another family member.
Also consider the age of your children and whether they will be with the babysitter for a short or long period of time. It’s not the same to look for a nanny for a baby who can’t speak yet or looking for someone to look after a toddler or older children.
The level of trust and security that the chosen sitter instills in you is vital to your peace of mind, especially if she will be with your children for several hours each day.
Trust your instincts, it never lies. If something doesn’t feel right or seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t settle for the wrong person out of desperation. Keep searching.
How to Choose a Babysitter: Frequently Asked Questions and Concerns
When you start a quest to choose a babysitter, it is very possible that you are full of questions and concerns. This is especially true if it is your first child that the nanny will care for. Choosing a nanny that’s the perfect fit for you is definitely a challenge.
During this process, analyze your most common challenges and questions so that you can determine whether you should choose a nanny or whether you should opt for a daycare center instead.
- A person who provides childcare is usually not a specialist in pedagogical techniques. The educational contribution they provide may not be the same as that provided in daycare centers.
- It is also sometimes difficult to find someone who is available to work when you need it. However, if your children are at home, they may adapt better to your work schedule than if they have to wait for you at a daycare.
- Most home babysitting services are more expensive than nurseries. You need to be sure that you can afford all of these costs within your budget. You may also have to pay for their meals and transportation.
- We’ve all heard horror stories about a mean nanny. You should therefore be wary of any ‘strange’ attitude you notice during an interview. Don’t let fear cloud your judgment. However, trust your instincts if it feels like “something is wrong.”
Basic tips for choosing a babysitter
1. Run a background check and confirm their previous experience
Check all references a person presents on their resume, especially those with similar positions. This is the first step before making a choice.
Talk to the families they have worked with and confirm the experience they claim to have with children. If someone you trust can recommend her, that can be your best guarantee.
2. Schedule an interview
Plan and prepare for the interview with the potential candidates. Ask all the questions you deem necessary to ‘gain them out’.
- Ask about their previous work and if they have experience caring for children.
- Also find out why they no longer work with those families.
- In addition, ask them how they handle different situations that may arise while they are taking care of your children.
- In addition, find out how they relate to punishments and rewards.
3. Check for manners and appearance
When choosing a nanny, it is very important that they have good attitude and manners during the interview . A pleasant personality is also important.
A good look isn’t about dressing like an executive or a fashion model. What matters is that they look well-groomed, neat and clean and that they know how to dress for the occasion.
They should also reflect good manners and behave respectfully. Keep in mind that your children will follow this person’s example and learn from them.
4. Do a little test before choosing a babysitter
Take a few minutes to do this during the interview so you can see how she interacts with your kids. Make sure that the child likes this person and do not doubt their feelings. Their intuition is much sharper than yours. The same goes for your pet if you have one.
Also pay attention to how you feel during their interaction. Do you feel comfortable, calm and safe from the start? You cannot force a relationship between your children and a nanny. If you do, you will make the divorce process a lot more difficult for everyone involved.
5. Confirm your schedule and their availability
From the information you gather during the interview, you should find out how long they are willing to work for you. Confirm they can be there on time and if they have to leave exactly when they specify or if they have some flexibility.
A Is one of your problems with the schedule, then it is better to leave it at that and go through with interviewing other potential candidates for the job.
6. Indicate your rules and conditions
During the interview to choose a nanny, the candidates should know what you expect from them. This includes:
- exactly how to care for the baby and/or children.
- the extent of their responsibilities.
- how to act if there is an emergency.
- what constitutes an emergency.
If the candidate has concerns about the way you want her to interact with your children, you should look for another candidate.
7. Ask the candidate to state her terms and conditions
During the interview, a candidate must state her terms of employment. The more specific and detailed they are, the better it is for you.
If there is an incompatibility with what you need then they are not the right match for the job. Then you need to continue the process of choosing another babysitter. Remember: there is nothing more important for the well-being of your family.
How to choose a perfect nanny
A good nanny must have many qualities. This includes that the nanny:
- get along well with your child.
- keeps your child happy and healthy.
- gives you more freedom and peace of mind.
If you find that the sitter you choose meets all of these requirements, then you’re ready to give them a more formal test. They may take care of your children for short periods here and there. This way you can observe and analyze how they react in different situations and how this affects the behavior of your little ones.
Also, make sure she follows the instructions you’ve drawn up. You should give her a number where she can always reach you, where she can inform you about news or just the normal routine. If you are satisfied with this second test, you can hire her for a longer period of time.
Finally, even if you choose the best nanny in the world, they will never be able to replace your attention as a parent. Regardless of the many hours you may have to work, only you can give unconditional love to your children.
Do not deprive your children and yourself of the privilege of spending time together. Time will pass extremely quickly and there will come a day when you will have all the time in the world to spend with your children, but they will no longer do that.