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Home › Articles › Child Care › Nanny Search 101

Nanny Search 101

Finding the Right Fit for Your Family

By Dorothy Nelson

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check. There is typically a one-time registration fee to use the nanny agency and a placement fee should you decide to hire one of the agency's candidates.

Candace Branch, executive director of Family Solutions LLC, a nanny placement agency in Richmond, Va., advises contacting an agency at least four to six weeks prior to the nanny's requested start date. "You should be prepared to list specific characteristics you're looking for in a nanny to help identify the best candidates," Branch says.

Carrie McKesson, a former childcare provider and nanny for two years, says she worked through an agency, and it gave her a sense of security.

Interviewing Your Prospects
You will, of course, want to conduct face-to-face interviews with any prospective nannies. Here are a few sample questions to include in your list when conducting nanny interviews:

  • Tell me about your past working experiences with children. What did you enjoy most/like the least?
  • Ask how she/he sees organizing a typical day for your children, based on their ages and what you've told them they enjoy doing.
  • What do you see as some of your greatest strengths/biggest challenges as a caregiver?
  • How do you utilize these strengths and deal with these challenges?
  • What interests you about this position?
  • What are your long-term goals?
  • Do you drive? Do you speak a second language?
  • Can you provide references?

You may ask other questions that relate more specifically to the ages of your children ad the job requirements you have for this position.

When you interview a candidate whom you feel has a great deal of promise, take time to discuss your family, schedules and any daily routines. Depending on the age of your child or children, it's helpful to allow them to ask the candidate questions of their own. Personality is very important, and you want to make sure that whomever you choose is a good fit for your kids.

You may also want to type up a job description to make the candidate aware of your expectations. After the interview, contact personal and professional references to further assess your candidate's background and gain insight into his/her personality and performance on the job.

Making an Offer

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Comments

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Re: Nanny Search 101 by anonymous on 07/19/2009 05:15PM

i want to know are hiriing

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