Finding a Nanny
For new parents, one of the most daunting issues is what to do with regard to childcare. Typically, the decision comes down to daycare versus a nanny. Although cost is often a determining factor, and daycare can be less expensive, many parents choose the benefits of the individualized care provided by a professional nanny. Below are some short answers to some frequently asked questions regarding hiring a nanny.
What are a nanny’s responsibilities?
For first time parents, a nanny can be an amazing resource of information. An experienced nanny brings a wealth of knowledge such as sleep training, beginning solids and a knowledge of fine and large motor development activities. A nanny plays an important role in the social and physical development of the child. Through years of experience and training, a nanny recognizes teachable moments, incorporates sound nutrition, healthy sleep habits and establishes appropriate discipline and routine in the child’s day. In addition to the social and physical development of the child, a nanny is responsible for all things pertaining to the care of the child, including laundry; preparing bottles and/or meals; picking up after the child; taking the child to activities and/or classes, etc. Many nannies become an indispensable asset to working parents by helping with household management responsibilities, such as light cleaning, errands, meal preparations, etc.
How do I find a nanny?
Some families choose to undertake the search themselves, either by word of mouth or by placing ads in newspapers or through on line agencies. This method can be less expensive, and is best utilized by parents who have the time to thoroughly screen many individuals. Conducting a nanny search often requires a great deal of time from screening to interviewing to investigating the background of a potential applicant.
Many families prefer to use a full service agency in helping them select the best nanny for their family. A reputable agency will screen nannies, and help parents make an informed decision. An agency will select possible nannies meeting specific search criteria provided by the family. As a result, the families’ time is not wasted with candidates who, out of the box, do not meet the families’ expectations. A solid nanny agency is also able to draw upon their experience to identify red flags that someone not seasoned would miss, and also to identify the specific criteria that may be important to a family that may have been overlooked. Some agencies will help prepare and present an offer, and assist the family with defining job duties and creating a work agreement. Agencies can help with providing information and referrals regarding finances and taxes. An agency should continue to be a resource for parents long after the nanny has begun employment.
How do I choose a nanny?
While everyone looks for different things in a nanny, ranging from appearance to experience with a specific need, there are some basic truths that we have found help parents make sound decisions. For example, we have found that the most accurate predictor of a successful match is if the nanny has done a similar job with a child of the same approximate age for an extended period of time.
During the interview, parents often have the candidate interact with the child or children. Parents should watch the interaction carefully, not only certain objective “make or break” issues such as whether the nanny washes her hands before holding the baby, but also more subjective impressions like whether the candidate seems genuinely interested in the child. We believe that these subjective impressions are critical. All the letters of recommendation mean nothing if the parents do not sense that the nanny loves children.
Many parents invite one or two candidates back for a working interview. These working interviews can provide a good window into whether or not both the candidate and family are a good fit. During a working interview, the candidate is often paid for her time, but the family and the agency should make clear that it is still an “interview” with no guarantee of permanent employment. This working interview is another opportunity to get the candidate familiar with the home, and should include a rehash of the household responsibilities the position entails. The candidate also has an opportunity to interact with the child through the various stages of the child’s day, including feeding, changing and playtime. Parents should again pay close attention to how the nanny interacts with the child rather than whether or not she has the child’s routine completely down pat.
How much does a nanny cost?
We have found that in the Chicagoland area, salaries range from $10.00 per hour to as high as $18.00 per hour. Additionally, the typical offer includes sick and/or personal days, vacation time, holidays, etc. Agencies provide a lot of assistance in helping parents define salary guidelines and also provide information on nanny taxes and refer parents to appropriate resources.
What background checks can one do on a nanny?
Although background checks do not guarantee that there is nothing in a nanny’s past that will adversely affect their performance, we strongly advise that background checks be conducted on all new hires. Some checks we recommend include checking the social security number and driver’s license. It is also advisable to check reporting agencies like DCFS for child abuse or neglect; for sexually based complaints or violations. Finally, criminal background checks in counties and/or states in which the nanny has previously resided or worked are advised.
Finally, in addition to the nanny’s personal background it is equally important that the nanny be healthy enough to take care of the child. Licensed, full service nanny agencies in Illinois require that each nanny placed undergo a physical.
Many families who employ nannies are very happy with their choice. Contacting a full service agency to ask questions often helps to alleviate possible problems in the search for a family’s first caregiver.
