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What to You Should Know About Hiring a Nanny
Many families today
are choosing nannies over daycare. Should you? Here
are some questions you should ask yourself as well as
what you should look for when choosing a nanny for your
children.
Nanny or Daycare?
Why would you choose to hire a nanny
instead of using a daycare? Some parents feel the personal
attention a nanny can give to their children is a valuable
service many daycares are not capable of providing due
to the number of children in their care.
Another reason that families choose
nannies or au pairs is for the convenience of having
the childcare available outside of standard daycare
operating hours.
A nanny will become an integral part
of the family so choosing wisely is an important step
to selecting the best nanny for your children.
What Do You Want in a Nanny?
Do you want a live-in nanny, day time
nanny, full-time, part-time or on call? What is your
budget? Will you want the nanny to clean the house,
cook meals or transport your children to after school
activities or play dates? What other responsibilities
are you looking for in a nanny?
Also consider whether you will allow
smoking or visitors in your home during the care period.
Do you care if the nanny speaks your native language
or any other language? Au pairs are commonly younger
women from foreign countries; is it important to you
to have a caregiver from your locality?
Before you start looking for a nanny
you should find out what the local rates are and determine
if you can afford the care you are looking for. Perhaps
making arrangements with another family to share a nanny
will better suit your budget. If you choose to share
a nanny you will also need to make a clear agreement
with the other parents as to the responsibilities you
both require.
What Should You Ask For?
You can find available nannies through
agencies, personal references and by posting an ad in
the newspaper.
Wherever you go to find a nanny you
will want to ask them for references (make certain that
you are able to contact the references), a driver's
license or other ID, criminal check and child care experience
or education depending on your personal requirements.
Asking for a nanny with First Aid or CPR is also common.
Agencies usually screen the nannies
they place so ask the agency for their details. Arrange
to meet the candidates in person and don't commit to
a hiring until you've had the chance to interview them.
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