Do You Know Who’s Taking Care of Your Children While You’re Away?
Hiring a nanny has helped a lot of working parents have an extra pair of hands to help with childcare. And some also find hiring a nanny to be cheaper than daycare. And when it comes to choosing who to hire for a nanny, you want to help raise your child/children. So take the time to weigh your options thoroughly.
However, life does not always give you a chance to take several weeks or even days to hire the right nanny. You may be urgently needing to hire someone, or have a temporary replacement of your current nanny. They may have even been recommended by someone you trust.
Someone who seems nice, friendly and comes from a reputable agency or has a good resume does not always mean they are reliable or responsible enough to be an extension of your family. Even if you’re only looking for temporary help, we at CGA Solutions recommend you get to know your nanny to ensure the safety of your children and family.
Did You Thoroughly Check Their References?
Being a nanny is a job, and you are their employer. Like any effective employer, checking a candidate’s references is key to knowing who they are in the workplace and what their strengths and weaknesses are. Did the references they give you make you feel satisfied that they are up for the job and would be a good influence on your child?
Being a friend or relative of someone you know is not a trustworthy source. Neither are nanny agencies who claim to conduct background checks. Character assessments are essential.
[RELATED: Common Mistakes Made on a Background Check]
Do They Have Common Sense?
Speaking of conducting a character assessment, do you think they make good decisions? Of course no one is perfect and we have all done something we might regret, but a line must be drawn. A person who tends to repeat the same mistakes, like getting back together with a guy who has a lot of red flags, or is not financially responsible are not qualities of a good caretaker.
Do They Enjoy Children?
Not everyone likes children, and even many women without children will claim they aren’t big fans of kids. This can be a fair statement, but not during an interview to be a nanny. On the other side of the coin, a person who expresses a lot of enthusiasm for children may just be an anxious person saying whatever they can to get the job.
Don’t take their word for face value. If you can, have your kids meet the potential nanny and see how they interact. Children, while young and naive, can often be honest and intuitive. But if anything, asking the candidate if they like children is simple and how they respond can tell you a lot about who they are as a person.
Trust Your Gut If Something Just Feels “Off”
When it comes to your family’s safety, taking a chance out of kindness is not the safest option. Just because a nanny seems nice and friendly does not translate to someone who’s responsible and will show up for duty. Weigh all the options and trust their gut. A mother’s intuition is not always 100 percent, but it is also not something to ignore.
If you do feel like something is off with your current nanny, or need assistance in the vetting process, let our private investigators ease your mind and get you the answers to questions you need to know.
