Having a nanny has become important for the working women to reduce stress and workload. Nannies can be living with you full time or even come during the day and leave by night. I know the thought of leaving your kid with a complete stranger can freak you out.
The first question to arise in your mind would be, “Why should I hire a nanny?” You can handle both work and family, but in reality it gets hectic to balance both worlds. Working the whole day and having sleepless nights can affect your work, as well as your family life. A couple of thoughts cross your mind, like how will you be able to find a nanny, and how trustworthy would she be with your baby.
Here are a handful of tips to keep in mind before you allow a stranger to care for your kids.
1. Know your search
Understand the need of your child and know what kind of a nanny you are looking for. Do you want a nanny to stay with your family? Are you looking for a part-time nanny or a night-time nanny? The criteria needs to be clear. You do not want a person walking in expecting to work part-time and you offer them a full-time nanny job. This way you are clear. It also saves a lot of time during the interview.
2. Know your budget
Knowing your budget is one of the most important points while hiring a nanny. A little flexibility in the offered price is okay. Do not over-budget yourself with hiring a nanny. A live-in nanny actually charges less. Remember, you are providing the nanny with a room and board, but a live-in nanny will also have full access to your family. You will be adding a complete stranger as a family member, so make sure you are ready for it. Also remember that a nanny needs privacy if she stays with your family.
3. Background check
You are allowing a person to have access to your personal life. A nanny will have the right to enter your family, your home, and your baby’s life. You need to know the background of the person you are letting into your life. A personal one-on-one interview isn’t enough to know the person. You need to have thorough knowledge of where she worked earlier. Why did she quit? Where does she live? You should also contact their previous employers to know what she was like while she was working with them. Most importantly, you want to find out how she treated the children? This will give you an idea of how exactly she deals with kids.
4. Talk with your family
Sit and have a discussion about your decision to your family. You do not want an awkward situation later. Listen to the suggestions they give you. What kind of questions would you want to ask? Is your family ready to have a live-in nanny or would they prefer a nanny who comes in the morning and leaves by night? It is necessary to have a discussion because a person entering your home will require some adjustments. Knowing whether your family is ready for such a big adjustment is needed before hiring a nanny. Also, put the pros and cons in front of your family about having a live-in nanny and a nanny coming in the morning and leaving by night.
5. Contract
Start drafting a contract once you get approval from the family. The contract should have be nice and clear. How much are you going to pay? Will you take care of her food and travel allowance if she comes by day and leaves by night? Can she have guests overnight? Can she use the appliances at your place? What are the number of hours you want her to work for you? This will help her get a better understanding of your needs.
6. Word of mouth
While hiring nannies, word of mouth is the best publicity. People refer you nannies they know of. They might have had a personal contact with her or might have seen them work for people they know. This way you know where to knock on the door to do a check on her. Also, people will refer you with the names they think are good at their work. It will save time for you interviewing several other candidates for the job.
7. Trial period
A trial period is compulsory before hiring. During this trial period you’ll get to observe the way she works. It will also give you time to get to know her and get comfortable with her. Another point to keep in mind is to stay back during the trial period of your nanny. Let your children get comfortable before you leave them alone with this stranger.
Conclusion
Who would have thought that hiring a nanny would be so hectic? We thought all it took to finish the job would be contacting a local nanny providing firm. However, when it comes to letting your baby be with a stranger, a little extra effort and stress up front will be well worth it in the long run.
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