Picking a Good Nanny...Tips

Picking a Good Nanny…Tips

By Margaret Gaia

With new babies or even toddlers, it is our opinion that one of the most crucial decisions you will have as a parent is picking a good nanny.  These times are unique in that we have a lot of working parents and the need for good nannies is becoming more and more prevalent.  So how do you pick a good nanny?  How can you be sure that your children will be safe and sound when you are away?  Well – hands on experience will give you the defined answer you are looking for, however there are some good tips that you can utilize to help with our evaluation of your nanny candidates.   Remember, choosing a childcare guardian for the day is a very personal decision, so it is your right to gather all the information necessary to make you comfortable.

As a first step, we suggest that you evaluate what you believe you need?  What skill set are you seeking in an individual, what daily goals and responsibilities will they fulfill?  This is important to “define” before you seek out your people search.    A nanny is your employee.  As with any employee, there needs to be clear communication on metrics of success so that person may utilize their skills to achieve success.  It is no different with a nanny.  It is also important to make sure they fit within your family dynamic, your family culture, and your belief system.  After all, for eight hours a day, this person you choose is the parent.

The next step is to develop a list of candidates for the job.  We recommend first putting the word out to family, friends and people you trust.  This will get you candidates that people know and trust, and ones that come with personal references.  Another means of finding good candidates for the job is seeking out professional search firms that concentrate in this specific area.

It is necessary to develop requirements that candidates must meet, much like an initial interview or screen which filters out the ones that do not meet your objectives on the forefront.   For example, must be 21 years of age, must be fluent in two languages, must be in good health and pass a physical and provide proof of immunizations.  This can be a wide range of requirements.

Next is the interview.  It is important at this stage, in our opinion, to take it in two different stages.  The first is the adult interview where you as the employer, and the candidate, sit down the talk about questions you have, clear objectives and job descriptions, and questions the candidate may have about your expectations of the person who fills this role.   The second is the interview between the candidate and the infant.  This is more informal, but you will see firsthand how your child is going to respond to this person.  Maybe you ask the final candidates to come in and spend a paid day or two with you in the house, and with the infant to see how things are going to go. 

As a last step, educate yourself on the responsibility you have an employer.  For example, did you know you are responsible for paying payroll taxes, as they are a salaried employee?  Do you know what a “nanny tax” is, and how it affects you as the employer?  Make sure to perform research with your CPA or tax professional to ensure you cover all the necessary expenses and impact it might have on you financially. 

Best of luck in your search – finding a nanny can be a difficult task but very rewarding if you perform the evaluation properly.