CHOOSE THE RIGHT NANNY

KEY TO FIND THE BEST NANNY Be willing to keep looking until you find the person who will be the best fit for your family. You shouldn't compromise on this issue one bit, so be prepared for a long search. You'll need to be patient and resourceful, and consult everyone from friends and family.

STEP 1: IDENTIFY YOUR PRIORITITES First, decide what you want. Talk to your partner about what your ideal nanny would be like. Do you want someone older who's mature and experienced? Is a nanny with a degree in early childhood education your top choice? Make a list which you can refer to when you start interviewing applicants or talking to nanny agencies.

STEP 2: DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH Get the word out. Have friends and family let their contacts know you're looking for help – personal references can be the most reassuring. Contact a private nanny placement agency. These firms screen candidates before agreeing to represent them and can help you find candidates who meet your criteria. They verify a nanny's work experience and should check for any driving violations or a criminal record. You should also be keen in getting a physical exam including blood and tuberculosis tests, dengue, etc

STEP 3: INTERVIEW Talk to as many applicants as you can. Ask specific questions about their work experience and childrearing philosophies as well as personal interests, after- work activities, and background. Use our nanny interview sheet(last slide). It can be very informative to include your child when you meet with interviewees so you can see how they get along. Listen to your gut. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.

STEP 4: CHECK REFERENCES Once you've narrowed it down to a few good applicants, call their references – even if they're from an agency. If you already did this as part of the prescreening process, feel free to call again and ask more detailed questions or for additional references. Be sure to ask former employers about the nanny's strengths and weaknesses and why they no longer employ her. Don't skip this step – you'll want to hear how she has and hasn't worked out for other families.

STEP 5: DO A TRIAL Ask the shortlisted nannies to come to your home one at a time for a few days' trial run. Pay each for her time and observe how she interacts with your child. There's no better way to make a decision than to see for yourself how a nanny is on the job.

NANNY INTERVIEW SHEET Use these questions to guide your search for the perfect nanny for your child. Experience & Training: Look for a nanny who has taken care of children before.You don't want your kids to be her guinea pigs. She doesn't necessarily have to have many years of experience, but she should know what she's doing. Ask if she has a resume (although don't be surprised if she doesn't have one). Ask each nanny you're considering for a list of past and present references, and call them. Ask specific questions: Instead of asking whether they liked the nanny, ask what exactly they did and didn't like about her. Ask for a minimum of two references, although the more the better.

QUESTIONS TO BE ASKED How long have you been a nanny? How old were the other children you cared for? Do you have any formal early childhood development or childcare training? Would you be willing to take classes to further your education in childcare? Do you have emergency training? In first-aid? What would you do if my child was sick or had an accident? Would you mind if I ran a background check on you?

PHILOSOPHY/APPROACH Make sure a nanny's philosophy about childrearing is in line with yours. Ask each candidate why she's a nanny and what she likes about the job. you need to know that she's in the field for all the right reasons, and that she enjoys children. Why are you a nanny? Why are you looking for a new position? What do you like about the job? Describe your ideal family. What do you like least about being a nanny? On dealing with children What are your beliefs about childrearing? What do children like best about you? How do you comfort children? How do you deal with separation anxiety? How do you discipline children?

CONTINUED……. Daily routines What are your favorite activities to do with a child the age of mine? If I'm working in the house, will you be able to keep my child happily occupied without involving me? Are you willing to do light chores while our baby is sleeping? Which ones? Do you have any personal responsibilities or health issues that could interfere with a regular work schedule? When would you be able to start working? Would you ever be available to work evenings or weekends? Would you be available to travel with our family for weekends/vacations? When do you expect to take a vacation of your own?

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS What nannies charge varies widely depending on where you live and how many hours she works. The best way to get an idea of the going rate in your area is to ask other moms. Give each candidate a chance to spend some time with your child in your home. Does she seem attentive? How does your child interact with her? Your observations matter a great deal when you finally make your choice. It may help to take a moment to ask yourself the following questions. Does she seem comfortable holding or speaking to your child? Was she pleasant? Are the two of you able to communicate easily and effectively with each other? While you're away from your child, will you feel at ease knowing your child is with her?

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