Safety is of paramount importance, especially when it comes to finding a care provider for your child or children. Few can dispute that one’s selection should always include a background check of the candidates. While many services are available, we recommend licensed and certified providers like Check People.
It’s a shame that so many people overlook background checks as a step in the process of finding a nanny. If you’re looking through an agency, ask them about any important details you need to be aware of. Allegations of misconduct or abuse are an example. You should also make sure the agency screens its employees.
If you’re hiring outside an agency, the background check is nothing short of mandatory. Read on to learn about other steps.
Ask for Recommendations From Other Parents
Talk to people you can trust: their information is one of the best places to start your childcare search. You need to be clear about what you’re looking for when you ask them to recommend someone. Of course, there’s no guarantee someone who they were happy with will make you equally happy, but it’s definitely an avenue worth exploring. Friends and relatives who’ve had positive experiences with a nanny will make it easier for you to get an idea if she works for your son or daughter too.
If you’re looking for a full-time nanny and you want to use a friend’s nanny, you should agree on a sharing schedule. Obviously, this is if she’s working full time for them too. Nanny sharing is a good option if you’re both willing to make it work.
Ask for and Contact References
After the research, recommendations, and background check, ask your nanny, agency, or daycare if they can give you references. Call these people and ask if anything ever caused concern. Ask them what they liked best about the nanny and if there was anything they didn’t like. Did any unpleasant situations ever arise? If you’re hiring through an agency, ask if they have any relevant that policies you need to be aware of. Ask your references if they would choose the same nanny if they had to make this decision again and why.
Arrange a Test
If possible, invite the nanny to look after your children when you’re home. This can be like a trial day. Don’t be in the same room as her and the child or children, but be available in another area of the home. Let the children and the nanny get to know each other. This will give your children space and time to get used to the nanny. This is important because they need to be involved in the decision. It will also help you get an idea of what the nanny is like.
Trust Your Intuition
Get as much information as you can and then trust your intuition. Keep looking if the nanny just doesn’t feel right, even if the information is objectively positive. You’ll know it when you meet the right person for the job.
Talk to Your Children
You feel good about the nanny and the trial day went well? That’s still not enough. Ask your children questions about how it went. Maybe their impression was completely different from yours. When they open up, you’ll get a good idea of whether they felt comfortable and if this person will make a good and long-term fit. Ask them what they did, what they played, and if they want to see the nanny again.
Talk to the care provider if you want to address any concerns that emerged when you talked to your child. If you’d like to work with her regardless, explore ways in which these issues can be addressed to make everyone feel more comfortable. After all, that’s what really counts if you want to make things work.
