In scores of households, keeping a constant eye on children and ensuring they have everything need on a daily basis can be a considerable challenge. From the demands of busy careers to long commutes around town and conflicting hours between work and school, parents may find that they’re simply not able to be home often enough to feel confident that their children are properly cared for. In some instances, parents may simply want a little extra help with child-based chores. For a number of reasons, hiring a nanny is a popular choice for modern families, and with a strong and satisfying relationship with a nanny, families may be able to enjoy a more relaxed pace at home backed by a great feeling of security. Inviting someone into the home, however, whether it’s for short stints on a daily basis or around the clock, naturally introduces a security risk. While most nannies would never harm a child or carry out crimes such as petty thefts from a home, the rare occasions in which such events that do occur make careful nanny screening a wise choice. By approaching the hiring and assessment of a nanny with great care, families can feel more confident about their choice, leading to a greater peace of mind.
Finding a reliable source for a nanny is the first step towards arranging a successful relationship. Ideally, families can turn to grown siblings, parents, or other family members who may have experience with certain nannies or companies. While it’s true that different family members may have differing opinions of the competence or quality of the same childcare professional, recommendations can signal that a given person or employer is reputable and capable of earning the trust and respect of others. Families may also be able to source nannies from professional organizations or agencies. Such businesses typically provide extensive in-house screening, and may even oversee the training of nannies for particular skills. Though agencies can be useful to families in sourcing a nanny, it’s important to keep in mind that no amount of third-party screening can replace the important steps of self-screening. A third option for finding a nanny is to browse resumes, either with a collection of people hoping to be hired such as a job site, or by placing a help wanted ad in a local newspaper or other publication. Though hand-selecting possible nannies may take more time and effort than other sourcing options, it can help ensure a closer match with desired skills and experience.
Performing a background check on nanny candidates is an extremely important part of finding the right person for the job. Screenings can be and often are performed by professional agencies in order to simplify the work involved, but even with the very best professional screening, it’s important that families look into the backgrounds of nannies on their own, as well. Any candidate that is not forthcoming about their past experience or various parts of their professional lives should be treated with suspicion; an open attitude and sense of confidence in discussing qualifications can indicate that a nanny has nothing to hide, and is genuinely interested in the job at hand. Calling references, getting in touch with past employers, and even checking the veracity of educational information, if possible, are all good measures to take to ensure that a candidate is honest and is truly qualified.
Perhaps the most important –and most powerful– part of the hiring process for a nanny is simply meeting with the candidate and spending time with them, both away from and in the presence of the child or children in need of a caregiver. Though this step is sometimes hastened or skipped altogether, it can provide valuable information to families –information that would otherwise not show up in screening processes. Observing how a potential nanny interacts with children and handles a variety of situations is the key, and can help families get a feel for both the caring and disciplinary instincts of the nanny. Families should feel comfortable making suggestions and seeing how these suggestions are carried out in an initial visit or care giving session. Spending time alone with a nanny is also important; as it can help families get to know the professional a little better and is likely to bring out any inconsistencies or points of concern that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Hiring a nanny and trusting children to their care may be a nerve-wracking experience for some parents, but those in search of quality professional care can make more confident hiring decisions with the help of reasonable screening and assessing tools. With careful attention to a nanny’s source, background, and performance in person, families can find a nanny ideal for their needs.
