| -link"> | | | | children, then ask what they enjoy the most |
| Advice and tips to help parent through their first | | | | about being a nanny? |
| time nanny interviewing process. Hiring a full-time | | | | What kind of family is the most ideal or suitable |
| nanny is one of the ways to care for your baby | | | | for you to work with? (This is almost an |
| once both parents return to work. There are | | | | intelligence test...) |
| obvious pros and cons to this. Having a nanny | | | | Tell us about your work with past families. |
| means a dedicated person whose job is to care | | | | What was a typical day like when you were |
| for your precious child, rather than the typical 1 to | | | | taking care of the child from family A? |
| 4 baby per adult ratio in most child care facilities, | | | | What was typical week like? |
| and often this means your child will get fewer | | | | What are some of your favorite activities that |
| colds and ear infections. Also, for families that | | | | you liked to do with the toddler you took care |
| want to bring up their children with a second | | | | of? |
| language, hiring a nanny fluent in that second | | | | How do you handle a child who is having a temper |
| language can build a great foundation for your | | | | tantrum? |
| children to be bilingual. One of the cons is the cost, | | | | Give us an example of when a child you took |
| of course. Another is the idea of having a | | | | care of was hurt. How did you handle it? |
| complete stranger to care for your helpless infant | | | | Give us an example of a time when you and the |
| unsupervised. Here are some ideas and advices | | | | child's parent had a disagreement about how to |
| that can help parents through their first time | | | | care for the child, and how did you and the |
| nanny hiring process. | | | | parents handle it? (This question might tell if a |
| The Screening process: | | | | nanny will listen to you or prefers to have her |
| Make a list of what you and your spouse desire in | | | | way). |
| a full-time nanny: What are your required hours, | | | | What questions do you have for us? |
| do you prefer a live-in or commuting nanny, how | | | | The above are just some sample questions, you |
| much experience do you require, do you require a | | | | should construct questions of your own based on |
| nanny to have experience with children of any | | | | the issues that matter to you most. Also, if an |
| particular age (if you have a 3 month old, | | | | answer peaked your interest or raised a question, |
| someone who has mostly worked with toddlers | | | | always follow up with tell me more about |
| might not be ideal), what other duties are | | | | that? or why is that? to learn more |
| expected around the house (cooking, laundry, | | | | about your candidate. |
| cleaning, etc.--child care should always be the | | | | Reference check: |
| primary duty), if you require them to speak a | | | | Now that you have made your decision, a |
| certain second language with your child, etc. | | | | thorough reference check is in order to validate |
| Then make a list of your most basic questions | | | | your selection. This is also your opportunity to |
| based on your requirements: Have this list by the | | | | uncover any red flags or surprises. After all, you |
| phone, so you can ask every phone screen | | | | are about to hand over the care of your baby to |
| candidate this list of questions. Make several | | | | this person. Again, a well prepared list of questions |
| copies of this list and record every candidate's | | | | can help you with getting the most out of the |
| answer with their name and phone numbers next | | | | conversation with your potential nanny's previous |
| to it. Later on, you may need to refer to these | | | | employers: |
| lists of questions and answers during the interview | | | | When did she start to work for your family? How |
| process or even when deciding between | | | | old was your child at the time? |
| candidates. | | | | When did she leave? Why did she leave? |
| Ask your candidates some basic questions too: | | | | When your child was an infant, what was a typical |
| What's their ideal family to work for? Why are | | | | day like for your baby? |
| they currently looking? Do they have any unique | | | | When you child was a toddler, what was a typical |
| requests for you? | | | | day like for him? |
| If your screening process is successful, then you | | | | What other duties does she have around the |
| should only bring qualified candidates for the | | | | house besides child care? |
| interview process. | | | | What do you like the most about her? |
| The Interview process: | | | | Please share with me an area where you thought |
| Meeting the candidates in person is the most | | | | she could do better, how you brought it up to |
| important step of the hiring process, this is where | | | | her, and how she handled it. |
| you get to learn the most about your potential | | | | Can you share with me a time where you or |
| child care provider and observe her with your | | | | your spouse had a disagreement with her about |
| child. Yes, be sure to have your child there with | | | | child care (maybe about eating, napping schedules, |
| you. If your child is an infant, see how | | | | etc), and how the situation was handled? |
| comfortable she is holding your child and if your | | | | If there was a time when your child was hurt, |
| child is comfortable with her. If your child is a | | | | how did she handle it? (The best answer is that |
| toddler, this meeting provides a great opportunity | | | | the child was never hurt under her care!) |
| to see how she talks and interacts with a young | | | | How often is she late? and absent? |
| child (yours). Take cues from your child! | | | | What advice do you have for me to ensure a |
| During the interview process, again be prepared! | | | | successful partnership with her for my baby? |
| Make a list of questions you and your spouse | | | | The Decision process: |
| want to ask so you don't end the interview and | | | | Trust your gut. If something does not feel quite |
| later discover that you missed some information. | | | | right, it is a no. Both parents and the child |
| It is very important that you put some thought | | | | (if old enough) have full veto power. When |
| into the questions and be sure to structure all | | | | considering between two similar candidates who |
| your questions in a way that they can not be | | | | are both equally qualified, the old standby of a |
| simply answered with a Yes or No. | | | | pros and cons list is a good tool. |
| These are often really more topics for | | | | Keep in mind that not all things on the list may be |
| discussion than actual questions. Great | | | | of equal importance. |
| topics can ensure that you can make the most | | | | If you hired her but it does not work out: |
| informed hiring decision. Also, always ask for | | | | If you feel like you need to let her go, let her go |
| specific examples from their previous experience. | | | | right away! You can't afford to give the courtesy |
| Be friendly and courteous during the interview | | | | of a 2-week notice with someone you can not |
| process so that the candidates are at ease and | | | | trust. Even if this means that you have to pay |
| comfortable telling you about themselves. Below | | | | for the two weeks without getting the service. |
| are some examples of topics to discuss: | | | | After all, we are talking about your precious but |
| Tell us about your experience working with | | | | quite helpless baby. |
| children. | | | | If the hire is successful: |
| Tell us about your work/life before becoming a | | | | Count your blessings! Treat your nanny with |
| nanny. | | | | respect and treat her like family! When you treat |
| Why did you decide to become a nanny? (If their | | | | her like family, she will likely treat your child like |
| answer is not because they love babies or young | | | | family...like her own child or grandchild. |