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Home › Articles › Child Care › Nanny Hunt

Nanny Hunt

Finding the Perfect Nanny

By Kendeyl Johansen

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Nannies work from 40 to 60 hours per week, while au pairs are limited to 45. Nanny duties encompass all tasks related to child care, including cleaning play areas, but their first responsibility remains child care. Doretta from Canada says, "I heard a lot of nanny complaints because a group of [nannies] hung out at my house. They hated being expected to put tidiness before the children." Keep in mind that assigning additional household tasks should include additional pay.

Another "must" before interviewing is defining a job description. Be sure to include job responsibilities, hours, time off, salary and benefits. Is she expected to prepare lunch? Will she be able to use the family car? Will she have every second Tuesday off?

Nanny Agency or Self-Search?
If you can afford it, agencies can simplify the nanny search and save you time. Their fees often range from $1,200 and $1,800. Childcrest's Bowthorpe says, "We weed out potential problems through interviews. For example, if a girl seems really upset about a boyfriend she's going to miss, we can save a family from hiring her, then watching her return home, heartsick, after a month or two."

Utah's Nanny Connection pre-screens nannies by phone and then has them fill out extensive paperwork. Candidates undergo a series of interviews and a psychological evaluation. The evaluation helps the agency learn about relationships, co-dependence, coping skills, depession and more. Copies of driver's licenses and driving records are obtained, and they check out school transcripts and a doctor's health release. A criminal background check is also performed. Finally, references are asked between 40 to 50 questions. Successful nanny candidates attend a training program which covers commitment, discipline, CPR, first aid and other relevant things that will help them perform their jobs better.


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Re: Wanted: Nanny by anonymous on 10/14/2009 10:08AM

I've had lots of au pairs and all have worked out really well for my family. I find them myself on the Internet to avoid paying agency fees. A good nanny au pair finding site is http://www.search-aupair-family.info

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