Hiring a nanny... Advice needed

We are interviewing a nanny this week. She comes highly recommended and we are excited that this situation literally fell into our laps.


However, we were pretty set w a daycare situation so we don't know the first thing about interviewing, hiring, and securing a nanny for a full time position.

Any tips.... What kind of questions to ask, etc.

( we know what we expect, want, do not want in terms of the actual care of our children and we will make that clear, but it is all the little things that I'm afraid I will miss to ask that is an essential part of obtaining a nanny)

Thanks

Re: Hiring a nanny... Advice needed

Ask for and check her references. Do a background check or ask her if she has had one done, some nannies do.
How long did she work for the previous family, why did she leave?
Ask about her family, is she married, does she have kids and so on, you have to know her situation. If she has kids ask her if she has emergencies covered (has someone to look after kids, as long as it's not a crazy emergency of course)
Even if you think you know stuff about her from people who recommended her , ask anyway.
Also talk to her about holidays, sick days, pay, hours (obviously) write everything down, I would even make a little list of things and then make a copy for her and give it to her so there is no misunderstanding later on, especially when it comes to working extra hours-if she ever has to, getting paid extra, holidays, sick days ...

Message edited 2/27/2012 10:16:02 AM.

Re: Hiring a nanny... Advice needed

Agree with the above questions. Here's some to add:

What did she like best and least about her previous jobs?

Why is she looking for a new position?

What is her schedule for a child your age?

Does she have a car? If she will be driving your child, what kind of car? Is it up to date with all maintenance? Will you be giving her gas money? How will you monitor that? And i would lay any ground rules now about driving with your child. Are you ok with her going on errands? Wjhere can and where can't she take your child?

Will she have any other responsibilities around the house besides your child? When she should she do those? Only when your child is sleeping?

Let me know if you have any other questions. I have had a nanny for a while and have interviewed countless others.

Re: Hiring a nanny... Advice needed

I agree with all the above questions. Ask what a typical day would look like, ideas for things to do in the neighborhood you live in. Also, ask what she does in her free time, try and get a sense of her personality. After having jut gone through this and ultimately picking the person that I felt I connected best with on a personal level, I think that it was the best decision I ever made. I chose her over someone with a bit more experience, but we wanted our nanny to be a flexible member of our family that we could get along with. I feel like our nanny, my husband and I a team helping to raise our child, so it was important to me that we felt comfortable with her.

Re: Hiring a nanny... Advice needed

Agree with all of the above. We also gave the perspective nannies specific scenarios and asked how she would handle them. Also (and I think this is so important), see how she interacts with the children during her interview. I always noted if the interviewee asked to wash her hands/if she should take shoes off/if she sat there talking to us and ignoring DD or if she got on the floor and interacted with her.

Good luck! It's such a hard process and decision to make, but once you find the right person you'll know it!

Re: Hiring a nanny... Advice needed

Re: Hiring a nanny... Advice needed

Excellent advice! Thx