Collaborative Post
Hiring a nanny can be a challenging process. You could be desperate for the flexibility that childcare will provide – but reluctant to leave your child in the care of a stranger. You may not fully know what to look for when assessing potential candidates either.
A good nanny will effectively become a member of your family, someone who you can trust to spend time in your home and positively influence how your child develops. It’s certainly not a decision you should take lightly!
Below are some of the key things to look for when choosing a nanny.
Pricing
A recent report found that childcare costs are rising faster than the overall rate of inflation. Ultimately, you’ll need to know your budget and offer a competitive rate based on pricing in your local area and your specific requirements.
Professional childcare isn’t something you should skimp on if you can afford not to. Depending on how much support you need and for how long, it could be worth assessing your financial resources.
Qualifications
Nannies are childcare professionals, and many have the qualifications to match. There is no official course to pass – but evidence of relevant diplomas, BTECs or NVQs will still give you confidence in their skills.
While also not as necessity, asking for a recent DBS check will tell you whether a candidate has a criminal record.
Caring qualities
A love of children and an enthusiastic, nurturing nature are foundational qualities to look out for in all nannies. Beyond this, consider the type of person you wish to attract and the relationships you want them to build with yourselves and your child.
That could mean finding somebody who’s prepared to be silly and fun at all hours of the day – or someone with a stricter side, who’s capable of reigning negative behaviours.
Your child’s approval
It can be easy to forget that it’s your child who will spend the most time with your nanny. Involving them in the process, perhaps even in interviews, will help to make the transition smoother for everyone.
Make sure to be upfront about what’s happening and ask for their feedback if they’re old enough to give it.
Other soft skills
There are other basic qualities that can go a long way in building a successful working relationship with a nanny. Punctuality is critical for example, as the point is to free up your time – not restrict it.
Good communication can be important too when it comes to sharing information about your child. And if your schedule needs to be flexible, so should theirs.
You may struggle to find the absolute perfect candidate right away. Set minimum requirements for your ideal nanny based on the factors above and take it from there.
This is a collaborative post.
