Hello, guest
|
Name: Sarah
[ Original Post ]
My husband and I are in the process of finding a nanny on our own. We have 4-month old twins. I have received applications and plan on doing background checks, reference checks, etc. How long is it acceptable to "interview?" I have heard a lot about second and third interviews, to make sure you have the best person, but I do not want to "string along" nannies. Any suggestions on this question, and any other helpful tips is appreciated!
Your Name


captcha

Your Reply here


 
Name: to Sarah | Date: Nov 6th, 2005 4:46 AM
be sure to use www.zabatools.com to check the background of the nannies. 

Name: Jen | Date: Nov 28th, 2005 8:58 PM
Hello, I was a nanny for 3 years. I thought maybe I could give you a few ideas! When I would apply for a job with a family, we would schedule 2 or 3 days where you as well as the nanny possibility are there together, and you just sit back and observe. THen I would schedule maybe 2 or 3 days where you would go away for 2 hours or so, and have that person there. If everything is going okay, then you should know by then in your heart if you can trust that person. It is a very hard thing to let a stranger into your home so willingly, but you also have to think of it from the nanny's view as well.....They are stepping into a home not knowing who you are and they picture it the same way as you the family does. You have to be able to trust the person, so do the checks, and then what I have suggested, and I came out of being a nanny not regretting it one bit! The families I have worked for were amazing. Watch hoe the person is with the children, and you will be able to tell! Good luck!!! 

Name: amanda | Date: Jan 21st, 2006 7:43 PM
hire your best friend, thats what i did, tata 

Name: to amanda | Date: Jan 27th, 2006 3:45 AM
go awayyyyyyyyyyyy 

Name: Elizabeth | Date: Feb 8th, 2006 7:29 PM
Although it sounds like a cliche, I think when it comes to choosing a nanny for your child(ren) "you'll know her when you find her." You can (and should) do all the background checking possible, including calling ALL references. People are generally very willing to share their thoughts about former nannies especially if they liked her a lot. But it is also very helpful to find out not only how the nanny interacted with the kids but also how she interacted with the parents. For example, if you are a natually laid-back person, do you want someone with a "Type A" personality running your house, or vice-versa? Maybe you'll like someone who takes the initiative to put away the kids clothes once they've outgrown them without having to ask, but maybe you'd prefer to do it and you'd view that as a intrusion. Also, confirm all the information on the application to make certain that it is correct (we had a one applicant that had marked "non-smoker" but actually did smoke). As for the length of interviews, here's what worked for us. A first cursory interview to just meet the person (15 minutes or so) does a lot of the weeding out of candidates and can be done by just one parent and just covers the basics. A second, longer interview should be with both parents and will flush out all the details of the arrangement. This will also provide you and your husband with the opportunity for each of you to see how you instinctively feel about her. Then the important one, to have the nanny interact on a more one-to-one basis with the kids. I let our nanny watch our son downstairs and in his room while I did things around the house. This let me be available in case she needed something, and also let me see how she interacted with him, without the forced feeling of sitting with the two of them all the time. This was an hour's visit. (As an aside, you can tell something about a person if they ask to get paid for this hour - which they shouldn't be since it is a part of the interview process). Finally, we had a quick meeting to discuss all expectations (does she need to clean the kids' rooms? make dinner? wash toys? laundry? time to start? overtime? vacation pay? etc). I will tell you that we hired our first nanny only after two interviews since our son was so little (3 months) and they don't play much at that point. It worked out alright but our current nanny is spectacular! Hope that helps some. 

Name: to Sarah | Date: Feb 8th, 2006 9:32 PM
Read the book "Nanny 911" for some good guidelines on hiring and get a "Nanny Cam". 


Name: Agnes | Date: Feb 9th, 2006 4:37 PM
We have to go through 3 interviews for my job position, also. Each time, just let the applicants know in advance how many you have narrowed it down to so far. 

Name: lili | Date: Feb 10th, 2006 4:29 AM
How do you know if the references they list are real and not just friends they are using as references? I wonder about that myself. Does anyone know of way to actually verify such information?? 

Name: Crissy | Date: Feb 17th, 2006 9:58 PM
Wouldn't you wrather string along someone for weeks or even months..wrather than place your baby with the wrong person? (wink) 

Name: Jo | Date: Feb 18th, 2006 5:58 AM
Have as many call backs as you see fit -- it's your child. Anyone who can't understand that you have ONLY your child's best interests in mind do not need to be tending to her. Also, use your intuition -- you'll know when it feels right. 

Name: It could happen!!!?? | Date: Apr 7th, 2006 5:19 PM
Dont get a nanny thats too pretty,your husband might cheat on you!! 

Name: Lisa | Date: Apr 7th, 2006 5:21 PM
Go with your gut,youll (know) when you have found the (right ) one. It will just (feel) right. 

Copyright 2024© babycrowd.com. All rights reserved.
Contact Us | About Us | Browse Journals | Forums | Advertise With Us