How Will I Find A Nanny For My Child?

Meeta was consumed by anxiety. She started work in eight weeks, after her maternity break. Her parents were extremely supportive, but Meeta thought it unfair to leave them with the responsibility of taking care of her 10-month old daughter the whole day. She got lucky when Priya, her colleague, was moving out of the city, and her child's nanny was out of work. The nanny had taken care of the child for almost a year and had won the trust of Priya's family. Meeta hired the nanny on a trial basis for a month, and fortunately, it worked out for her.

Meeta's situation is extremely common among parents, and the task of finding a good nanny to care for your child can seem daunting. The idea of leaving your baby with a stranger is unsettling, to say the least. “Will the nanny be trust-worthy?” “Will my child be safe with her?” These are questions that arise in every parent's mind. But after the initial challenge of finding, and getting used to a nanny, life becomes a lot easier for the parents.

Tips or Channels to Hire a Dream Nanny

Here are some channels that you can use to find a nanny/babysitter for your child -

1. Placement Agencies: This is the most common route taken, especially by first-time parents who haven't dealt with a nanny before. The upside to going through an agency is that they take care of finding candidates based on your requirements and performing a background check. You will, of course, be expected to pay a commission based on the nanny's salary. The downside is that there is every possibility of them not being able to find a replacement immediately if your nanny quits. Make sure you visit the placement agency before considering to use them and don't go by a random search result thrown at you by the internet. Fraud is quite common, and you don't want to be left without a nanny after the “agency” has mysteriously disappeared with your commission money.
2. Friends and Family: This route, if available, is the ideal one. If a friend or a cousin has hired a nanny before, and the person is available to work now, grab the opportunity. Your friend will be able to tell you about the nanny from personal experience. Ask colleagues at work if they know of an experienced nanny. You'll be surprised how the answers are sometimes just around the corner if you make an effort to ask.
3. Your Current House-help: If you have help whom you trust, ask them if they have a relative or friend who may be qualified to work as a nanny. If they have leads, meet the person, and try them out only if you are convinced instinctively. You aren't bound to take on anyone as a favor.

5 Tips To Keep In Mind When Hiring A Nanny For Your Child

Before you even start looking for a nanny, it helps to make a list of your expectations. Do you expect the nanny to just look after your child, or do you want someone who will help with household chores, too? What is the maximum salary you are willing to pay? Will you be offering meals, or will you make provision for the nanny to cook for herself? These are some questions that you need answers to before you interview a prospective candidate.

1. Experience and Age: While some parents prefer to have an older person who comes with a lot of experience in childcare, others would rather hire a young nanny who can be given very specific instructions. Choose the type you'd like to hire and mention it to the agency if you are using one. Remember that just age doesn't imply experience so you will need to take a call after a trial period.
2. Educational Background & Police Verification: Do you expect your nanny to read books in English to your child? Or perhaps sing nursery rhymes? It helps to hire someone who has basic schooling under their belt. The nanny needs to be able to carry out simple, yet important tasks such as telling time or using the phone to call you in case of an emergency. Before you hire a nanny, make sure you complete the police verification process. As clichéd as it sounds, it is better to be safe than sorry if you find out later that the nanny has a record of stealing or causing harm.
3. Interview the Candidate: Whether you are going through an agency or through personal contact, meet the candidate once (or maybe even twice) to ask all your questions and get a vibe. A personal meeting is far more effective in giving you a good gut feeling about how things may turn out, than just a conversation on the phone. If the placement agency doesn't arrange this, try and arrange it on your own. Ask the candidate about her family and educational background. While you have your list of expectations, she will have hers. Find out what she requires in terms of accommodation and food.
4. Introduce Your Family: When you meet with the nanny, do it at your home when the entire family is present, especially your little one. Sometimes, you may miss something that your partner or even a child may find odd or disturbing.
5. Trial Period: This is a very important part of the hiring process. Before you commit to hiring a nanny, arrange to have a two-week trial period. This will help everyone understand if the family and nanny are suited to each other. You can gauge how your child takes to the nanny and if she has a positive attitude to her work. Similarly, she will be able to judge if she wants to continue working for you.

Finding a nanny may seem like an impossible task. But what is more important is retaining a good nanny. The key to this is simple – treat the nanny with kindness and respect. An employer cannot expect to retain an employee who is treated shabbily and rudely. Be patient, exercise caution, and go with your instinct!

What is your experience with your child's nanny? Share your tips, too, in the comments section!