There’s no doubt about it. Having a baby is a huge responsibility; one that requires our attention virtually 24 hours a day. And as much as we would like to be able to spend every waking hour with our little one, sometimes life has other plans (like work, for instance) and we find ourselves needing some additional competent and trustworthy support to help us out. This is where a nanny can be of great service to you.However, being that nannies are people who are hired to spend a significant amount of time with your son or daughter, you definitely want to make sure that you choose someone who is responsible, kind, knowledgeable and a good communicator—someone you know will love your child in a very committed kind of way.
If you’ve been thinking about hiring a nanny, but you’ve been unsure about how to begin your search, we have three tips that can connect you to the perfect person below:
Be clear about the kind of nanny you desire. Hiring a nanny requires a bit more forethought than hiring a babysitter simply due to the amount of time they will be spending with your child, and the significant amount of influence they will have on them. So you have to ask yourself questions like, do you want someone who will be more like a grandparent (a senior nanny) or someone who is younger (like an aunt)? Do you want someone who is conservative in their child rearing views or someone who is a bit more of a free spirit? Do they need to share your religious views? Do they need to love the outdoors? Do they need to be technologically advanced? Would you want them to know more than one language? Do you prefer that they live with you in your home? It is important that you think about all of these things, even before starting your search so that you can make the best decision possible.Look in several different places. Once you know the kind of nanny that way want, it’s then time to start looking for them. Make sure to let your family members, friends, co-workers and church members know (referrals can oftentimes be the best route to take). Also, look for websites that have a good online reputation; ones like Care.com, 4Nannies.com andeNannySource.com. They are trained to connect you to qualified nannies who are located right within your area. You can also go through a private nanny placement service. Just keep in mind that if you do decide to utilize that option, it can run you anywhere between $800-5,000 to do so.
Interview more than one person. If you see a couple of people who “look good on paper”, then you’re ready to begin the interviewing process. The main thing to keep in mind when it comes to this stage is that it’s a good idea to interview more than one individual. Speaking to several people can help to you really look at everyone’s strengths as well as their weaknesses. Also, make sure that they have several referrals that are not family members or friends and if your child is over the age of 2-3, watch how your child interacts with them over a couple of visits. Selecting a nanny is not something that should be done in haste, but with a lot of patience, you can find one who is an ideal match. For you and your child.
