Tips for Finding a Perfect Nanny for Your Child

When both parents are constantly at work they have to decide on some settlement regarding their child. Probably the best choice would be hiring a nanny. Since chances that Mary Poppins will fly in on you are pretty slim, you have two ways to go – applying at an agency or advertise. Let’s consider the pros and cons of each of them.

Dealing with agencies

A placement agency offers many points in its favor. They are supposed to sort out their candidates and study their resumes and references prior to sending them to people’s homes. Also, they can offer you several candidates for interview to see which one you will deem the most suitable.

Assistance from the family

Have you got a relative who offered to step in and help out with the child during the working hours? That’s fine, and there’s no need to turn them down. Yet you have to realize this proposition has its shortcomings. Although you seemingly have less trouble and save your money, you will have to be more diplomatic and careful to avoid edges. With a hired person you lay down the law, but with a relative, you have a relationship to maintain.

What you need to know

You may have to conduct quite a few interviews while choosing the right person. The questions you will ask will help you arrive at the decision. Reading the resume is not enough by a long chalk; see that their references are bona fide ones. If you are dealing with somebody you know, don’t be too hasty: make sure you both understand exactly what kind of service is required.

Regulations to be obeyed

As soon as you have enlisted help, it’s time to do the work. Your little darling has routines to follow, and your assistant must know them and keep them up while you are away. If you haven’t gotten round to establishing one, now is the time to do it, so your nanny has an idea of how you want your kid to be brought up. Flexible routines will be fine.

Before you can disappear for long periods of time, make sure your kid knows their nanny well. It is advisable for the two of you to share the childcare for a week or two: then you will know how the child and the nanny feel and act around each other, and the nanny will understand how you handle the duties. The kid will get used to having the nanny around, so there’ll be no question of leaving them alone with a stranger.

What your nanny will need to know:

• Basic facts – the time to feed, bathe and put the child to bed.
• When the playtime is and how your kid likes to play. If they have favorite songs, let the nanny learn them.
• The kid’s preferences.
• Prepare a list of telephone numbers the nanny may have to dial – yours, family members’, emergency services. Also, the child might swallow something uneatable – there should be guidelines available as to how to behave on such occasions.
• Even with the baby not able to crawl, the nanny ought to be acquainted with childproofing and instill related habits.
• Should the baby feel sick, the nanny ought to know how to react. In this case, have her ring you up for a consultation or prepare medicine to be given in each instance.
• Discuss the safety issue thoroughly. The nanny isn’t to let anyone in (unless it was allowed by you beforehand), and she should know if she can have her own visitors round.
• You may want to keep the nanny for a long time and have her develop your kid and play educational games with them; it could be worth your while to locate a specialized training course nearby and send them there.
• Your ideas about hygiene must correlate. Your nanny is expected to follow your rules of washing hands and cleaning children things.
• The nanny must be fully instructed what she should do (as well as what she shouldn’t) in case of accidents with and without a bloody mess.

What you should keep in mind

• A nanny is not just a petty employee – it’s a person who will be rearing and developing your precious baby.
• Your relations with the nanny must be based on open communication solely. What is good for your child should be suggested by both of you and discussed. Appreciate your nanny’s input.
• Try and make it as easy for your nanny as you can – she will be more efficient, and in the long run, it will be more beneficent for your child.
• Before you go and employ the nanny, be sure your decision is well-founded and sagacious.
• Dealing with a person you know, you have to be very exact on what services you expect to get and how they expect you’ll be treating them.
• Bear in mind that your nanny is like yourself: both of you are picking up knowledge as you get on.
• Don’t overreact if your child is as happy to see the nanny as he is to see you. This is a good thing.
• The more people who love your child, the better.