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Seven Step Process to Hiring a Nanny with the Right Qualifications

by Alyce Desrosiers

Copyright 2011, Pre-K Media.  All rights reserved.

Whether you’re a first time parent of a newborn or a parent that has gone through the process many times before, the process of finding and hiring a nanny can seem daunting.  If this feels familiar you have reason for concern.  The market for nannies is an unlicensed and unregulated one.  There are no government agencies ensuring that a person caring for children in their home has been cleared through a criminal background check system or has had minimal health and safety testing or training.  As a result, the market of nanny candidates includes those with considerable experience, education/training and clear background checks – and those without.  Moreover, without government regulation the nanny market includes those without documentation to work legally in the U.S., limited English speaking skills and minimal or no experience caring for children.

As daunting as this seems, the process to find and hire a nanny doesn’t have to be difficult!  Whether you choose to find your nanny on a website bulletin board, such as Craigslist or through a placement agency, there are ways to make an informed hiring decision.  Using a tried and true Seven Step Process minimizes worry and increases the likelihood of hiring a nanny with the right qualities.

There are many competent nannies providing loving, attentive, knowledgeable and responsible care for young children in the Bay Area.  These nannies create supportive partnerships with the parents to provide consistent, predictable and reliable care of the children.

Using a Seven Step Process, you focus on what is most essential and manage the logistics along the way.  You end up with a nanny having all the right qualities for your child and you.

There are Four Fundamental and Guiding Principals for this Seven Step Process.

Four Guiding Principals to Hiring a Nanny with the Right Qualities:

• Know who you are as a family, as parents and who your child is in terms of their idiosyncrasies and development. 
  

• Recognize that every family is different, every child is different and every nanny is different. 
  

• Recognize that childcare needs may change as both the child and family go through developmental stages
  

• Understand that hiring a nanny is both a pragmatic and emotional process.  How you feel about asking a complete stranger to care for your child affects when you start, how you start and the nanny you choose.
  

Seven Steps to Hiring a Nanny with the Right Qualities:

• Evaluation of Need:  Determine what you want – both the practical aspects of the job description as well as the characteristics and qualities you want in a nanny
  

• Advertising:  Post notices online, in mother’s groups newsletters and local agency bulletin boards.  Ask relatives, friends and colleagues for leads.
  

• Prescreening:  Evaluate prospective candidates over a phone call and email discussions to determine suitability
  

• Interview Process:  Conduct a formal first interview with 3-5 good candidates and informal second interview with 1-2 finalists.  Evaluate for fit.
  

• Trial Period:  Evaluate your nanny candidate over a 1 – 2 week period to determine fit.  During this period,  your nanny obtains CPR/First aid training, TB testing and completes background check requirements.  Draft a contract and present to nanny.
  

• Contract:  Conduct a formal closure meeting to review and provide documenters to manage medical/police/fire/disaster emergencies; review employment documents; review and sign the contract
  

• Performance Reviews:  Conduct weekly discussions about your child’s care and your employer/employee relationship to ensure everyone gets off to a good start.
  

Following these Seven Steps ensures you are in charge of the process and minimizes the risk of having to restart.  Nanny candidates value and appreciate prospective employers who have given thought to this important decision about who would be the best fit.  What seemed a daunting process becomes a manageable step by step process ensuring you hire a nanny with all the right qualities!

Details about the fundamental principals and the Seven Step Process can be found in the book, Nannies for Modern Moms  The Essential Guide to Hiring the Right Nanny for Your Child and You.    The book includes checklists, forms and resources needed to hire the right nanny.